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How ImagePrep360 compares.

Six tools people use to turn photos into engraving files. ImagePrep360 and ImagR prepare the file in a browser. LightBurn, LaserGRBL and xTool Studio also drive the laser, which we don’t: we export files for your laser software. LightBurn is a one-time license; xTool Studio and LaserGRBL are free.

Yes
Partly
No
Not documented
Footnote to a source

As of November 6, 2026. Jump to the measured quality benchmark.

Features

Features of ImagePrep360 and five other tools, as of 2026-11-06. Each cell says yes, partly, no or not documented, with footnotes to sources.
FeatureImagePrep360Web app · BrowserImagRWeb app · BrowserLightBurnDesktop app · Windows, macOSxTool StudioDesktop app · Windows, macOSLaserGRBLDesktop app · WindowsAtomm Laser PrepWeb app · Browser
Getting a file
One-click photo to engraving fileUpload, pick a material, get a laser-ready file without manual tuning.Yes44Yes14One Click modeNo11Manual Adjust ImagePartly2426Auto Adjust, then pick a modeNo3334Manual import dialogYes40Upload, pick material, Generate
Material presetsBuilt-in processing presets per engraving material.Yes4410 materialsYes310 materialsPartly17User-built Material LibraryPartly28Laser-parameter material libraryNo3334None documentedPartly40Wood, metal, acrylic and more
Guided mode with fine-tune slidersA step-by-step flow with sliders to adjust the result.Yes44Easy Mode: crop, sliders, loupeYes14Easy Mode: crop + 8 slidersPartly11Adjust Image sliders + presetsPartly2425Adjustment sliders in editorPartly3334Import dialog slidersPartly40Contrast tweaks before download
Live preview on the materialSee the dithered result rendered on a material texture before engraving.Yes44Preview on materialYes1Preview on Material tabPartly11Side-by-side processed previewPartly23“True Result Preview” listedPartly33Image preview, no materialPartly40Preview before download
Crop, physical size and DPICrop the photo and set the output size and resolution.Yes44Crop, size in in/mm, DPIYes1Crop, size in in/mm, DPIYes1013Size, line interval/DPI, masksPartly2425Crop and resize; DPI not verifiedYes3335Crop, size in mmNot documented
DPI guidance for your laser typeHelp choosing a resolution for diode, CO₂ or fiber lasers.Yes44Diode, CO₂, CO₂ fine, fiberYes13DPI guide, calculator, DPI TestPartly18Interval Test toolNot documented26Mode tips by laser type onlyNo35Not covered in sizing docsNot documented
Image quality
Dithering algorithmsWays to turn grey tones into laser dots.Yes44Ultra, error diffusion, BayerYes120 options in Easy ModeYes1010 image modesYes267 bitmap modesYes368 error-diffusion + randomNot documented
Optimized (error-minimizing) ditherImagePrep360 Ultra: a Direct Binary Search optimizer that minimizes visible error, used by default.Yes44Ultra (DBS), the defaultNot documented1Profile methods not publishedNo10Not among the 10 modesNo26Not among the 7 modesNo36Error diffusion and random onlyNot documented
Automatic tone and contrastAdjusts levels and contrast for the material automatically.Yes44Yes2Automatic contrast & ditheringNo11Not in Adjust Image docsYes2324Auto Adjust / Smart AdjustNot documentedYes40AI contrast and sharpening
Background removalCut the subject out of the photo.Yes44AI tool, pick the modelYes15AI, 4 modelsNo1320Not in image tools docsYes2324AI CutoutNo33Not in raster import docsPartly40Separate Atomm tool
AI upscalingIncrease resolution of small photos before engraving.Yes442× or 4×, SeedVR2 defaultYes15AI Upscale 2×–16×No1320Not in image tools docsPartly23Auto Enhance (resolution)No33Not in raster import docsPartly40Separate Atomm tool
Old-photo restorationRepair scratches and damage on old photos.Yes44AI tool, pick the modelYes5Photo Restoration (AI)No1320Not in image tools docsNot documentedNo33Not in raster import docsNot documented
Colorize black-and-white photosAdd colour to old photos, e.g. for colour previews or colour engraving.Yes44AI tool, pick the modelYes5Photo Colorization (AI)No1320Not in image tools docsNot documentedNo33Not in raster import docsNot documented
Denoise and deblurClean up noisy or soft photos.Yes44AI tool, pick the modelPartly1Denoise/sharpen filters (non-AI)Partly12Enhance Denoise (non-AI)Yes25AI EnhanceNot documentedNot documented
Editing
Precise recolor of exact partsChange the colour of chosen parts only, without redrawing the rest of the image.Yes44Structured Edit with guardNot documented1Not seen in our reviewNo13Not in image tools docsPartly2425Prompted AI Replace / Magic EditNo33Not in raster import docsPartly40AI Replace (prompted), separate
Vectorize logos to SVGTurn logos and line art into vector paths.Yes44AI tool, SVG downloadYes15Vectorize, 2–32 coloursYes1314Trace ImageYes2425TraceYes33Vectorize toolPartly40Separate Image Vectorizer
AI design from a text promptDescribe a design and get a new, engraving-ready image.Yes44Create: 5 styles, lettering, 4 modelsNo546Not in its Toolset or AI FAQNo1320Not in image tools docsYes24AImake, text or image (sign-in)No3233Not in docsPartly50Separate Atomm AI
Jigsaw puzzle generatorTurn a photo into a laser-cut jigsaw: engrave layer plus cut path.Yes44Engrave PNG + one-pass cut SVGYes45Puzzle Generator, 4 shapesNo48Docs use an external generatorYes47Puzzle GeneratorNo3233Not in docsPartly49Separate Puzzle Generator
Save and re-run workflowsSave a processing recipe and apply it to new photos.Yes44Saved recipesYes12Record, save, run workflowsPartly1117Material Library, image presetsNot documentedNot documentedNot documented
Volume
Batch processing of many photosProcess a folder or a multi-file selection in one go.Yes44Folders, ZIP or folder outputYes12One Click and Run WorkflowPartly14Multi-file trace to SVG onlyNot documentedNot documentedNot documented
Google Drive import and exportRead photos from and write results to Google Drive.No44Coming soonNo12Not listed or seenNo15No integration documentedNot documented24Own Cloud Space insteadNot documentedNot documented
Parallel processingSeveral photos processed at the same time.Yes44Parallel workersNot documented1Run Workflow seen one at a timeNot documentedNot documentedNot documentedNot documented
Output
PNG exportYes44Yes13Partly1521Export excludes adjustmentsNot documented24Not in documented exportsNot documented32Outputs G-codeNot documented
1-bit BMP exportBlack-and-white bitmap, one bit per pixel.Yes44Yes1Not documented21Processed-save format undocumentedNot documented24Not in documented exportsNot documented32Outputs G-codeNot documented
24-bit BMP exportYes44Yes1Partly15Export excludes adjustmentsNot documented24Not in documented exportsNot documented32Outputs G-codeNot documented
LightBurn project (.lbrn2)Opens in LightBurn with size and position set.Yes44Yes12Yes15Native project formatNo24Saves .xcs; exports SVGNot documentedNot documented
SVG exportYes44From the Vectorize toolYes5Vectorize, Contour, MonogramYes15Export AI, SVG, DXFYes24Export as SVGNot documentedNot documented
Mirror for glass and acrylicFlip the image to engrave the back of clear material.Yes44On for glass and acrylicYes1Flip horizontalYes16Flip HorizontalYes24Reflect horizontallyYes33Flip in import dialogNot documented
Send directly to a laserStart the engraving job from the same app.No44Export to your laser softwarePartly1Beta: USB via the browserYes67Laser control softwarePartly2223xTool machines onlyYes32GRBL lasersNot documented
Organization
Gallery, projects, tags, favoritesKeep finished files organized in the app.Yes44Projects, swatches, tags, favsNo1Not offered (account page)Partly15Art Library for designsPartly2324My Space cloud projectsNot documentedNot documented
Usage dashboardStats on what you processed and what AI tools cost.Yes44Usage, AI spend, per memberNo1Account page shows plan onlyNot documentedNot documentedNot documentedNot documented
Usage export (CSV)Download the usage log as a spreadsheet.Yes44Workspace or device logNo1No usage dashboardNot documentedNot documentedNot documentedNot documented
Team or shared workspaceSeveral people working in one account.Partly44Roles and invites, rolling outNo2No team plan listedPartly93 seats per licenseNot documentedNot documentedNot documented
Platform
Runs in the browser, no installYes44Yes3Needs WebGLNo8Desktop installNo2223Desktop installNo32Windows installYes40
Desktop appNo44Web appNo3Browser onlyYes8Windows 10+, macOS 13+Yes27Windows 10, macOS 11+Yes32WindowsNo40Web tool
Works offlineYes44One Click offline after the first visitNot documentedYes19Offline activation for keysPartly2429Cloud and AI need internetYes32Desktop app, no accountNot documented
Photos processed on your deviceWhether your photo stays on your computer or is uploaded for processing.Yes44All but AI stepsPartly13One Click and AI tools uploadYes8Desktop softwareNot documented24AI tools use credits/loginYes32Desktop softwareNot documented40Not stated clearly
Free tierNot documented44Pricing not finalYes233 images/day, no signupNo68Trial, then licenseYes30Free; some features use creditsYes32Free, open sourcePartly4041Free to try; 200 credits
Free trialNot documented44Pricing not finalYes2Via free tier (3/day)Yes830 daysYes30Free to useYes32Free to useYes40Free to try
Money-back guaranteeNot documented44Pricing not finalYes330 daysPartly7Refunds case by caseNot documented30Free appNot documented32Free softwareNot documented

Pricing

ImagePrep360

Launch pricing, TBD Launch pricing, subject to change.

  • Free$0 forever
  • Pro$12 per month
  • Pro, yearly$99 per year
Free
Free plan with a daily limit (provisional)
Trial
TBD
Refunds
TBD

Sources 44

ImagR

$19/mo, $99 per 6 months, $159/yr

  • Starter (1 month)$19 monthBilled monthly, cancel anytime
  • Hobby (6 months)$99 6 monthsBilled every 6 months ($16.50/mo per ImagR FAQ)
  • Pro (1 year)$159 yearBilled annually ($13.25/mo per ImagR FAQ)
Free
3 images per day, all features, no signup or card
Trial
No separate trial; the free tier is offered as the way to try it
Refunds
30-day money-back (stated in the FAQ)

Sources 2, 3

LightBurn

Core $99, Pro $199 one-time; updates $40/yr after year 1

  • LightBurn Core$99 one-timePerpetual license, 1 year of updates, 3 seats; GCode-based controllers
  • LightBurn Pro$199 one-timePerpetual license, 1 year of updates, 3 seats; GCode, DSP and Galvo controllers
  • Add a year of updates$40 yearOptional; the licensed version keeps working without it
Free
Not documented
Trial
30-day free trial
Refunds
Refund requests considered case by case

Sources 6, 7, 8, 9

xTool Studio

Free; some features use credits

Free
Free to use; credits are earned by publishing projects or bought
Trial
Not documented
Refunds
Not documented

Sources 22, 23, 27, 30

LaserGRBL

Free, open source (donations welcome)

Free
Free and open source
Trial
Not documented
Refunds
Not documented

Sources 32, 37

Atomm Laser Prep

Free to try; Atomm Pro $9.90/mo or $99/yr; Max $14.90/mo or $129/yr (credits)

  • Atomm Pro (monthly)$9.90 month1,400 credits per month
  • Atomm Pro (annual)$99 year1,400 credits per month
  • Atomm Max (monthly)$14.90 month2,400 credits per month
  • Atomm Max (annual)$129 year2,400 credits per month
Free
200 credits at sign-up; Laser Prep is described as free to try
Trial
Free to try
Refunds
Not documented

Sources 40, 41

Measured, not claimed.

Method. Three public-domain test photos (an astronaut portrait, a cat and a cup of coffee), each prepared for wood, black slate and anodized aluminum at 4 inches wide and 254 DPI: 9 cases. ImagR used One Click in a logged-in account with only the material, width, DPI and dithering set; ours used One Click defaults. Both outputs were scored by the same code, with ImagR scored inside its own page against its own decoded copy of the source. Each score models the eye and laser spot as a σ 1.5 px blur. Lower is better. Full method and rubric · our scores · ImagR scores

Result: lower structural error (1 − SSIM) than ImagR One Click in 9 of 9 cases, lower GMSD in 9 of 9, and lower tone error in 9 of 9. Our One Click took 0.48 to 0.76 seconds per case in Node.

Benchmark scores per case, lower is better
Case1 − SSIMGMSDTone error
OursImagROursImagROursImagR
Astronaut portrait · Wood0.0820.4530.0490.2040.0200.143
Astronaut portrait · Black Slate0.0700.4370.0500.2180.0040.141
Astronaut portrait · Anodized Aluminum0.0800.4370.0480.2180.0070.141
Cat · Wood0.0660.4420.0540.2640.0280.131
Cat · Black Slate0.0600.4640.0520.2690.0150.137
Cat · Anodized Aluminum0.0640.4640.0540.2690.0180.137
Coffee · Wood0.1420.4490.0510.2310.0260.170
Coffee · Black Slate0.1300.4650.0530.2390.0090.181
Coffee · Anodized Aluminum0.1420.4650.0520.2390.0140.181
Mean of 90.0930.4530.0510.2390.0160.151
Coffee on anodized aluminum at 2x: source, ImagR One Click with streaks and solid black blocks along the rim, ImagePrep360 with even dots following the foam
Coffee on anodized aluminum, 2x crop, nearest neighbour. Left to right: source, ImagR One Click, ImagePrep360.
Cat on wood at 2x: source, ImagR One Click with heavy black fur stripes, ImagePrep360 with softer, more even fur texture
Cat on wood, 2x crop. Left to right: source, ImagR One Click, ImagePrep360.

The trade-off, fairly.

ImagR’s output is punchier and higher-contrast: whiskers and the cup rim read crisply from a distance. That costs streaks in fur and foam, solid black blocks where the photo has detail, halos along edges, and tones that drift from the photo. Ours is more faithful to the photo and has no directional streaks, but thin, low-contrast features such as single whiskers and the foam edge come out fainter. The Punchy and Moody looks trade some fidelity for impact if you want it. We still need to confirm the simulation with real test burns.

Notes and sources

Notes

  1. ImagePrep360 pricing is not final and is filled in from configuration.
  2. ImagePrep360: One Click, Easy Mode and Batch run in the browser on your device. Only the AI tools (background removal, upscale, restore, colorize, denoise/deblur, vectorize) and the AI steps of Structured Edit send the photo to the AI provider you choose; precise recolor runs on your device.
  3. ImagR: in our hands-on review, One Click and the AI tools ran on ImagR's servers. ImagR states that uploads are deleted 15 minutes after upload and that the free tier allows 3 images per day.
  4. ImagR's dither list includes ten named profiles whose method isn't published, so we can't say whether any of them is an optimization-based dither.
  5. ImagR's 30-day money-back guarantee is stated in its FAQ; the pricing page does not repeat it. ImagR cells marked ✕ for Google Drive, gallery, usage dashboard, usage export and team are based on their absence from the pricing page's feature list and from the account pages seen in our review. The AI design cell is ✕ because ImagR's Toolset lists no prompt-to-image tool and its FAQ answer on AI names upscaling, background removal and One Click material detection, not design generation.
  6. LightBurn cells marked ✕ for automatic tone, background removal, AI upscaling, restoration, colorizing, precise recolor and AI design are based on their absence from LightBurn's Working With Images and Adjust Image documentation and the 2.2 release notes. LightBurn's own puzzle project uses a free online jigsaw generator and imports its SVG, so the puzzle cell is ✕.
  7. LightBurn's PNG/JPG/BMP export does not include image adjustments. Save Processed Bitmap keeps adjustments and dithering, but its file formats aren't documented.
  8. LightBurn prices are one-time license fees in USD from LightBurn's store. Each license includes one year of updates and three seats; tax is not stated.
  9. xTool Studio replaced xTool Creative Space (XCS). The final XCS release was V2.7 (June 25, 2025), and several older xTool machines still use XCS.
  10. xTool Studio's documented file options are Save (.xcs), Export as SVG and Publish to Atomm. We couldn't confirm raster (PNG/BMP) export.
  11. xTool Studio is free. Some features need credits, which are earned by publishing projects or bought; AI tools and cloud features may require signing in.
  12. LaserGRBL's dithering list comes from its public source code (Atkinson, Burkes, Floyd–Steinberg, Jarvis–Judice–Ninke, Sierra 2/3/Lite, Stucki, random). LaserGRBL converts images to G-code and streams them to GRBL lasers; image export formats aren't documented.
  13. 1-Touch Laser Photo: Universal Laser Systems doesn't publish a price. A UK reseller lists £119 (sale) or £238 regular, including UK VAT, for one activation. This is GBP, not USD.
  14. Atomm Laser Prep's FAQ says it is free to try and also that it is not completely free; Atomm Pro and Max plans add monthly credits. The page says it works in your browser and uses AI; it doesn't say whether photos are uploaded.
  15. LaserGRBL cells marked ✕ (one-click, material presets, DPI guidance, AI tools, precise recolor, AI design, puzzle generator) are based on their absence from LaserGRBL's home page and raster import documentation.
  16. For installed desktop apps (LightBurn, LaserGRBL, 1-Touch Laser Photo), “processed on your device” and LaserGRBL “works offline” are inferred from them being installed software with no online service described.
  17. Prices are in USD as published on the vendor's site on 5 November 2026, excluding tax unless stated otherwise.
  18. xTool Studio's AImake generates an image from text or an image and needs an xTool login. Its Puzzle Generator is documented by a video tutorial that starts from image import; the options are not written out. Atomm's Puzzle Generator and Atomm AI are separate tools from Laser Prep, so those cells are partial.

Sources

  1. ImagePrep360 hands-on review of imag-r.com, Nov 2026 (functional spec and editor filter catalog) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  2. ImagR: Pricing Accessed November 5, 2026.
  3. ImagR: FAQ Accessed November 5, 2026.
  4. ImagR: Laser Image Preparation (modes) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  5. ImagR: Toolset Accessed November 5, 2026.
  6. LightBurn Core License Key (store) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  7. LightBurn Pro License Key (store, incl. Return Policy) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  8. LightBurn Software: home page Accessed November 5, 2026.
  9. How the LightBurn License Works Accessed November 5, 2026.
  10. LightBurn docs: Image Mode Accessed November 5, 2026.
  11. LightBurn docs: Adjust Image (2.2) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  12. LightBurn docs: Shape Properties Window Accessed November 5, 2026.
  13. LightBurn docs: Working With Images Accessed November 5, 2026.
  14. LightBurn docs: Multi-File Trace Image (2.2) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  15. LightBurn docs: File Management Accessed November 5, 2026.
  16. LightBurn docs: Flip and Mirror Tools Accessed November 5, 2026.
  17. LightBurn docs: Material Library (2.1) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  18. LightBurn docs: Interval Test (2.2) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  19. LightBurn docs: License Management Guide (2.1) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  20. LightBurn docs: What's New in LightBurn 2.2 Accessed November 5, 2026.
  21. LightBurn docs: Save Processed Bitmap (2.2) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  22. xTool Support: Transition from XCS to xTool Studio Accessed November 5, 2026.
  23. xTool Studio Desktop (product page) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  24. xTool Support: xTool Studio Overview (updated May 14, 2026) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  25. xTool Support: Edit Bitmap (updated Sep 4, 2025) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  26. xTool Support: How to Set Bitmap Mode (updated Sep 4, 2025) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  27. xTool Support: Operating System Requirements Accessed November 5, 2026.
  28. xTool Support: How to Locate and Use the xTool Material Parameter Settings (updated Jul 23, 2026) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  29. xTool Support: Local Fonts and Cloud Fonts in xTool Studio (updated May 20, 2026) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  30. Atomm: xTool Studio page (FAQ on free use and credits) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  31. xTool Studio Mobile App page Accessed November 5, 2026.
  32. LaserGRBL: home page Accessed November 5, 2026.
  33. LaserGRBL docs: Raster Image Import Accessed November 5, 2026.
  34. LaserGRBL docs: Import Parameters Accessed November 5, 2026.
  35. LaserGRBL docs: Target Image Size and Laser Options Accessed November 5, 2026.
  36. LaserGRBL source code: RasterConverter/Dithering (GitHub) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  37. LaserGRBL releases (latest v7.14.1, Mar 1, 2025) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  38. Universal Laser Systems: 1-Touch Laser Photo Accessed November 5, 2026.
  39. Hobarts (UK reseller): 1-Touch Laser Photo Software Accessed November 5, 2026.
  40. Atomm: Laser Prep (Convert Images for Laser Engraving) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  41. Atomm blog: Atomm Pro & Max Plans (published 2026-10-23) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  42. Atomm blog: Best ImagR Alternatives for Laser Engraving (published 2026-06-17) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  43. LightBurn forum: Alternative options to Image-R Accessed November 5, 2026.
  44. ImagePrep360 product facts from the current app build (Nov 2026) Accessed November 5, 2026.
  45. ImagR: Puzzle Generator (Toolset) Accessed November 6, 2026.
  46. ImagR home page (FAQ: "Does ImagR use AI?") Accessed November 6, 2026.
  47. xTool Support: Puzzle Generator Tutorial (updated Jan 6, 2026) Accessed November 6, 2026.
  48. LightBurn docs: Purrfect Pet Puzzle Postcards (2.1 project) Accessed November 6, 2026.
  49. Atomm: Puzzle Generator Accessed November 6, 2026.
  50. Atomm AI docs: Atomm AI Overview Accessed November 6, 2026.

Features subject to change. Tell us if something is out of date: corrections@example.com (placeholder address).

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