Make and edit complex compound paths

Produce a clean compound path for the new stamp mark so holes and overlaps are correct for laser cutting. Combine the outer circle with the interior lettering cutouts into a single compound path with even-odd winding where needed, make sure stroke is expanded and paths are closed, then export an editable EPS for the vendor by Wednesday.

Before I deliver this to manufacturing, make the compound path reliable: surface any overlapping subpaths that create extra nodes, show whether even-odd or nonzero winding gives the intended holes, and flag thin bridges under 1.5mm that the cutter might fail on.

I made a compound path from the badge but the laser cutter preview fills some interior counters as solid. I’ve used both even-odd and nonzero and there are tiny overlaps from letter joins. The production lead needs a deterministic fix tomorrow. What’s the likely reason for the filled counters and what steps will give a foolproof compound path for cutting?

We repeatedly hand over artwork with bad compound paths and the supplier returns files or charges fixes, slowing production. What pattern of mistakes—allowing stray points, not expanding strokes, or inconsistent winding rules—causes most vendor rework, and what one checklist item should we add to every file to stop it?