How to Use SVG Files

You've got an SVG file - now what? Learn how to use SVGs on websites, in design software, with cutting machines, and everywhere else.

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Using SVG on Websites

SVG is the ideal format for web graphics. Here are the ways to add SVG to your website:

Method 1: Image Tag (Simplest)

Best for: Static images that don't need styling

<img src="logo.svg" alt="Company Logo" width="200" height="50">

Pros: Simple, caches well, lazy loading support. Cons: Can't style with CSS.

Method 2: Inline SVG (Most Flexible)

Best for: Icons and graphics you want to style or animate

<svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
  <path d="M12 2L2 7v10l10 5..." fill="currentColor"/>
</svg>

Pros: Full CSS control, can animate, change colors on hover. Cons: Increases HTML size.

Method 3: CSS Background

Best for: Decorative elements, patterns

.icon {
  background-image: url('icon.svg');
  background-size: contain;
  width: 24px;
  height: 24px;
}

Pros: Easy positioning, repeating patterns. Cons: No dynamic styling.

Method 4: Object/Embed Tag

Best for: Interactive SVGs with internal scripts

<object type="image/svg+xml" data="interactive.svg">
  Your browser doesn't support SVG
</object>

Pros: SVG can have its own scripts/styles, fallback content. Cons: Harder to style externally.

Using SVG in Design Software

Adobe Illustrator

Open: File → Open → Select SVG file

Place: File → Place (embeds in current document)

Edit: All paths are fully editable

Export: File → Export → SVG

Figma

Import: Drag SVG onto canvas, or File → Place Image

Edit: Right-click → Outline Stroke if needed

Tip: Use "Copy as SVG" to grab code directly

Export: Select → Export → SVG format

Canva

Upload: Uploads → Upload files → Select SVG

Use: Drag from Uploads to your design

Edit: Limited - can change colors on some SVGs

Pro: Full SVG export with Canva Pro

Inkscape (Free)

Open: File → Open → Select SVG

Edit: Full vector editing capabilities

Optimize: File → Save As → Optimized SVG

Tip: Great free alternative to Illustrator

Sketch

Import: File → Insert → Select SVG

Edit: Layer → Convert to Outlines if needed

Copy: Edit → Copy SVG Code

Export: Select → Make Exportable → SVG

Affinity Designer

Open: File → Open → Select SVG

Edit: Full vector editing supported

Export: File → Export → SVG

Tip: Affordable Illustrator alternative

Using SVG with Cutting Machines

Cricut Design Space

Open Design Space and start a new project

Click "New Project" from the home screen

Upload your SVG

Click "Upload" → "Upload Image" → "Browse" → Select your SVG file

Select "Complex" or "Simple"

For most SVGs, "Complex" preserves all details

Save as Cut Image

Name it and click "Save as Cut Image"

Add to canvas and resize

Click the image in your uploads, then "Add to Canvas". Resize as needed.

Silhouette Studio

Import: File → Open → Select SVG

Or: Drag and drop SVG onto canvas

Resize: Click and drag corners

Note: Basic Edition has limited SVG support - Designer Edition recommended

Brother ScanNCut

Canvas: Upload SVG via Canvas Workspace

Transfer: Send to machine via USB or WiFi

Tip: Simplify complex SVGs for cleaner cuts

Tips for Cutting Machine SVGs

Use SVGs with clean, closed paths for best cutting results

Remove any embedded images - cutting machines need vector paths

Convert text to paths/outlines before cutting

Check for overlapping paths that might cause double cuts

Using SVG in Documents

Microsoft Word

Insert: Insert → Pictures → This Device → Select SVG

Or: Copy-paste SVG from web browser

Resize: Drag corners - stays crisp!

Note: Requires Word 2016 or later for full support

Microsoft PowerPoint

Insert: Insert → Pictures → This Device → Select SVG

Convert: Right-click → Convert to Shape (editable)

Benefit: SVGs stay sharp on any projector resolution

Google Docs

Limited: Google Docs doesn't directly support SVG

Workaround: Convert SVG to PNG first, then Insert → Image

Alternative: Use Google Slides (supports SVG better)

Google Slides

Insert: Insert → Image → Upload from computer

Note: May convert to EMF format internally

Tip: Test scaling to ensure quality preserved

Adobe Acrobat/PDF

Create PDF: Print SVG from browser as PDF

Edit: Open SVG in Illustrator, export as PDF

Embed: Use PDF tools to place SVG content

Notion

Upload: Drag SVG file into Notion page

Or: Type /image and upload

Embed: Use /embed for hosted SVGs

Using SVG for Print

SVG is excellent for print because it's resolution-independent. Here's how to use it:

Direct SVG Printing

Most modern applications can print SVG directly:

Open SVG in browser → Print (Ctrl/Cmd + P)
Open in Illustrator/Inkscape → Print
Some print shops accept SVG files directly

Converting SVG for Print Shops

Many print shops prefer PDF or EPS. Here's how to convert:

To PDF: Open SVG in Illustrator → File → Save As → PDF

To EPS: Open SVG in Illustrator → File → Save As → EPS

Free option: Open in Inkscape → Save As → PDF or EPS

Print-on-Demand Services

SVG Accepted:

Printful (for some products)
Gooten
CustomCat

PNG Required (export from SVG):

Redbubble (PNG at 300 DPI)
Merch by Amazon (PNG)
Zazzle (PNG or JPEG)

Print Tips

SVG prints at any size without quality loss - use it for business cards to billboards

Convert fonts to outlines before sending to print shops

For CMYK printing, convert colors in Illustrator before export

How to Open SVG Files

View (Read-Only)

Web browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge

Image viewers: Windows Photos, macOS Preview

File managers: Windows Explorer, macOS Finder

Edit (Full Access)

Adobe Illustrator: Industry standard

Inkscape: Free and powerful

Figma: Web-based, free tier

Text editors: VS Code, Notepad++ (code view)

Ready to Get Started?

Create Your SVG Files

Convert your existing images to SVG format, then use them anywhere - websites, design software, cutting machines, or print.

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