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Area 49

This guide provides information on how to use technology within Area 49, as well as guides for digital technologies and physical projects. Area 49 is available for use by all current students, faculty, and staff.

Vinyl Cutting

A vinyl cutter functions similar to a printer.  A computer controls the movements of a tiny sharp blade used to cut out shapes and letters from sheets of self-adhesive vinyl that can stick to walls, windows, and doors. Check with a Makerspace Monitor to learn how to use the vinyl cutter.

Vinyl Cutter General Info

 

Graphtech CE8000 60Graphtec CE8000 60

Location: Makerspace

Use Options:

  • No training required. Ask a Makerspace Monitor for access and assistance.

Cost:

  • $2.00 per linear foot (roll)
  • $1.00 per precut sheet

Click the icons throughout this guide for additional information.

Tool Conditions and Test Cuts

Test Cuts

Tool Condition No. 1 is pre-set to settings that work well with the makerspace vinyl. Before cutting your project, perform a test cut to ensure that the settings will work for you.

Diagram of the vinyl cutter home screen. It lists the tool condition number and settings and indicates that the cutter is ready. The tool condition icon is highlighted.

  • Press "CUT TEST" twice.

Tool condition menu. It lists several options: Condition Number, edit cut condition, blade adjust, and cut test.

Cut test menu. It lists several options: Cut test, compare force, and compare offset.

  • Press the position keys to move the tool carriage to the location you want the test cut to be, then press the Enter key. Note: the cut is performed to the left of the carriage, so moving it all the way to the left will not allow sufficient space for the test to be carried out. It is recommended to allow the text to run on the right side of the material, then move the carriage slightly to the left to carry out any subsequent tests.
  • Inspect the test cut. You should be able to easily peel the cut pieces off of the backing, and there should be a faint impression of the cut lines on the backing. The cut should not go all the way through the backing.
  • If the cut goes all the way through the backing or does not cut all the way through the vinyl, the force setting may need to be adjusted.

Tool Conditions

The recommended tool condition settings for standard sticky vinyl are preset as Tool Condition No. 1

  • Tool: CB09U
  • Offset: 0
  • Speed: 30cm/s
  • Force: 8
  • Accel.: 2
  • Assign tool: 1
  • Blade Ctrl Force: 4
  • Tangential Mode: Off

You may find that you need to adjust some settings to get a good result with different materials. Click the icons to learn more about each setting.

  • Force

    The force value tells the vinyl cutter how hard to push down while cutting.

    • If your test cut did not cut all the way through the vinyl, increase the force by 1 or 2 at a time, test cutting between each change.
    • If your test cut cut through the backing, decrease the force by 1 or 2 at a time, test cutting between each change.
  • Offset

    Offset controls the way the vinyl cutter moves the knife. Incorrect offset values can cause messy corners.

    • If the corners of your test cut are deformed, consider changing the offset value in the following ways:
      Offset diagram. The first example shows a triangle with rounded corners, indicating that the offset value needs to be increased. The second example shows a perfect triangle with sharp corners, which indicates that the offset value is sufficient. The third example shows a triangle with pinched corners, which indicates that the offset value needs to be decreased.

To change tool condition settings:

  1.  Press the tool icon.
  2. Press "CONDITION No."
  3. Press "CONDITION No. 2"

Please only change the settings of Condition No. 2. Do not change the settings of Condition No. 1.

  1. Change the desired settings.
  2. Please revert back to Condition No. 1 when you are done using the adjusted condition.

Cutting your File

The Vinyl Cutter works with the Makerspace desktop computer.  Check to ensure the USB cord from the machine is plugged into the USB extension cord that leads to the back desktop. 

  1. Open your file in Adobe Illustrator. Size the artboard to be the same size as your design.
  2. You can cut both vector images and raster images, but raster images require special preparation.

    For raster images that you want to convert to vector images for cutting:

    1. Select object > Image Trace > Expand > select Direct Selection arrow tool> click image > change inside color to transparent and outline color to black. This should look like an outline of your image.
    2. It is recommended to use images with high contrast, such as a silhouette, as these result in cleaner lines.
    3. By default, your image will be grouped after expanding. With the image selected, press Ctrl + Shift + G to ungroup it, which will allow you to select individual shapes. Delete any blank white shapes, as the laser cutter will try to cut these too.
  3. When you are ready to cut your design, go to File > Cutting Master 5 > Send to Cutting Master 5.
  4.  The Software should place your design in the lower right corner of the workspace.
    Cutting master 5 workspace. There is an example design of a yorkie in the bottom right corner.
  5. In the "Media Size" tab, click "Poll Size" to get the size of the loaded material from the machine.
  6. To create multiple copies at the same time, click the “Matrix Copy” tab on the sidebar. Enter the number of copies desired, then the amount of X and Y spacing desired between each copy.
    Screenshot of the matrix copy tab. There are several fields where the user can input settings: Copies, X spacing, and Y spacing. All three are highlighted.
  7. To add weeding lines, click on the “Weed Line” tab in the sidebar. Check the “Weed Border” box to add a box around your design. Check either “Horizontal Split Lines” or “Vertical Split Lines” to add weeding Lines.

    Weeding lines are lines that assist in the process of removing unwanted vinyl from the final piece, otherwise known as weeding. Trying to peel larger pieces of vinyl from your piece can become tricky as the vinyl is likely to stick to itself, which may make your piece difficult to work with. Weeding lines break these large pieces up so that they are easier to cleanly remove.


    8. Screenshot of the weeding lines tab. There are several check boxes: Weed border, Horizontal Weed lines, Vertical weed lines, horizontal split lines, and vertical split lines. There is also a field labeld as panel margin. Weed border and vertical split lines are checked.

    Diagram showing horizontal split lines. There is an example design of a yorkie with a weeding border and horizontal split weeding lines. The space inside the border that isn't occupied by the design is split with horizontal dotted lines.

    Diagram showing vertical split lines. There is an example design of a yorkie with a weeding border and vertrical split weeding lines. The space inside the border that isn't occupied by the design is split with vertical dotted lines.

  8. To run your job, ensure that “Send to Cutter” is selected in the drop down at the bottom of the sidebar, then click “OUTPUT.” Selecting “Save to File” in the drop down and clicking “OUTPUT” will allow you to save your project as a file.
    Screenshot of the bottom of the settings panel. There is a drop down menu with "Send to cutter" selected, and next to it there is an output button.
  9.  Once complete, raise the media set lever and pull the vinyl forward as needed. Cut a horizontal line across.

cutting vinyl using guide groove on machine

Transferring Your Vinyl Cut

spatula, pick, tweezer, scissors, and scraper for weeding vinyl cuts

Vinyl Tool Set 

  1. The vinyl tool set is stored with the Cricut Machine.
  2. Use the tools to weed, or remove, pieces of the vinyl that are not part of your design.
    • If you have difficulty weeding your design, check to be sure the machine has cut all the way through the vinyl. You may need to adjust the cutting depth it it hasn't cut all the way through. 

 

Transfer Paper

  1. Ask a Makerspace Monitor for transfer paper.
    • Please only take as much transfer paper as you need for the size of your design.
    • Transfer paper can also be used more than once and we ask you reuse it whenever possible.
  2. Line up transfer paper with the top and cover your full design with the adhesive side of the transfer paper.
  3. Use the scraper tool to press the transfer paper down across your full design. 
  4. Pull up the first few inches of the design and cut off the back below it.
  5. Line up the top of your design and transfer paper where you want to place it.
  6. Press down the transfer paper with your design onto your material. 
  7. Starting at the top, slowly peel down the remaining backing and slowly smooth your design and transfer paper onto your material.
    • Use the scraper tool to help smooth it down. 
  8. Firmly rub the full design to be sure it sticks.
  9. Peel off transfer paper slowly, starting from the top. 

 

Registration System (Advanced Users)

Intro to Registration

The vinyl cutter is equipped with a registration system (ARMS) that allows the user to cut printed media with precision. It uses registration marks on the printed media to orient the machine and tell it where to cut relative to the design. You can do multiple things with this, such as:

  • Making printed sticker sheets
  • Cutting out intricate cardstock designs
  • Cutting out individual stickers

Below is the process for one use for the registration system, so please note that the process may be different for other projects.

Using the Registration System to Create Printed Stickers

Note: Please provide your own printed sticker paper.

You can print images on printable sticker paper and use the vinyl cutter to cut them out with precise, clean lines.

Image of four cut out stickers. Each sticker is a different picture of Bubby, a blond yorkie with a cute face.

Before Printing

This method works best using transparent PNG files. If you would like to learn how to make your pictures transparent, watch this video:

Continue on to Formatting and Cutting instructions

Formatting Printed Stickers

  1. Open Illustrator and create a new document that's the same size as your media.
  2. To create registration marks, navigate to File > Cutting Master 5 > Create Registration Marks and configure the settings to match the below example.

Image of the registration mark window. The window shows the following options: Style, set to 4 points type 2; units, set to millimeters; thickness, set to 0.3 millimeters; length, set to 10 millimeters; X direction, set to vertical; Align document origin with registration marks, unchecked; use auto sheet feeder, unchecked; relative to page, checked; Left border distance, 25 millimeters; right border distance, 25 millimeters; top border distance, 37 millimeters; bottom border distance, 25 millimeters.

Screenshot of the resulting registration marks. Each corner has one L-shaped registration mark.

  1. Import your images by navigating to File > Place and selecting your images. It will allow you to click and drag to place them. Be sure to place them inside the registration marks.
  2. For each image:
    1. Select the image and press Ctrl + C then Ctrl + Shift + V.
    2. In the top bar of Illustrator, click the dropdown arrow next to the Image Trace button, then select "Silhouettes."
      Screenshot of the image trace options. The arrow and Sillhouette options are highlighted in red.
    3. If your image has some white spots, navigate to Window > Image Trace, then adjust the threshold value until the entire image is black.

Screenshot of the Image trace interface. The threshold slider is indicated in red.

Screenshot of a black sillhouette of a yorkie

    1. Click the expand button.
    2. With the silhouette selected, navigate to Object > Path > Offset Path. Select "Round" as the Joins option.
      Screenshot of the offset path panel. The offset is set to 3.5mm and the Joins is set to Round
    3. In the pathfinder window, select the Union command. If you cannot see the pathfinder window, navigate to Window > Pathfinder.
      Screenshot of the Pathfinder window. The Union tool is highlighted in red.
    4. Press Shift + X to swap the filled shape to an outlined shape.
  2. Once all images have been traced, select one of the outlines, then go to Select > Same > Stroke Color to select all of the outlines.
  3. Press Ctrl + X. The outlines will temporarily dissappear.
  4. In the layers panel, create a new layer. Select it.
    Layers panel. Layer 6 is highlighted
  5. Press Ctrl + Shift + V to paste the outlines into the new layer. This will allow you to easily hide and unhide the outlines and pictures.
  6. Double check to make sure none of the outlines or images are outside the registration marks.

sticker sheet with registration marks and cut lines

  • Hide the cut line layer in the Layer's panel by clicking the eye icon.

layers panel with eye icon highlighted

  • Print your project on sticker paper.

Cutting your stickers

Diagram showing a close up of the tool holder. There is a hand unscrewing the thumb screw.

  1. Pull the tool clamper towards you so that the arrow on the thumb screw matches the arrow furthest away from you on the tool clamp.
    1. Note: Please return the tool to it's previous position when you are done.

tool clamp position diagram. the diagram on the left shows the thumb screw aligned with the back guide. The right diagram shows the thumb screw aligned with the front guide.
Always remember the above distinction between the the two positions.

  1. On the vinyl cutter screen, touch the Tool button.

Vinyl cutter screen with the tool icon highlighted.

  1. Touch the condition number and select tool condition number 3. Do not use tool numbers 1 or 2.
    1. Note: Please revert back to tool condition 1 when you are finished.
      • Tool: CB09U
      • Offset: +0
      • Speed: 30cm/s
      • Force: 12
      • Accel: 2
      • Assign Tool: 3
        • Note: Assign Tool should be set to 3 when you are cutting all the way through your material. If you are just cutting halfway through the material (i.e. cutting through the media but not cutting the paper backing), please set Assign tool to 1.
      • Cut Line Pattern: Type No. 2
        • Note: This setting will tell the machine to perforate your material so that the individual cut pieces don't fall out of place. Always have this setting on when cutting all the way through your material. If you are not cutting all the way through, turn this off.
      • Blade CTRL Force: 4
      • Tangential Mode: Off
  2. Perform a cut test using the instructions in the above section, making sure that you move the tool to a spot outside of your registration marks. If you find that the vinyl cutter isn't cutting the test all the way out, adjust the force accordingly using the instructions in the above section. You may also change the offset value if needed.
  3. On the computer connected to the vinyl cutter, open Illustrator and click the eye icon in the layers panel to hide the layer that contains the images to hide them. Click in the blank space where the eye icon was for the cut lines layer to show the cut lines.
  4. Go to File > Cutting Master 5 > Send to Cutting Master 5
  5. Under the "Media Size" tab, click "Poll Size" to get the size of the loaded material from the machine. Media size tab with multiple settings highlighted: The poll size button and the rotate option are highlighted. rotate is set to 90.
    1. You may get an error about multi page jobs. To fix this, under "Orientation," pick the 0 degree option next to rotate.
  6. Under the "Weeding" tab, disable any weeding lines or borders.

Screenshot of the weeding tab. Multiple check boxes are highlighted: weed border, horizontal weed lines, vertical weed lines, horizontal split lines, and vertical split lines. all are unchecked.

  1. Under the "Registration Marks" Tab, check "Use Registration Marks."

registration marks tab. the use registration marks checkbox is checked.

  1. Click on "Output" at the bottom of the page, ensuring that the drop down next to it says, "Send to Cutter." This will send your job to the vinyl cutter. If you want to save your job as a file, change the drop down to "Save to File" and click "Output."
  2. The vinyl cutter will scan the media for registration marks before cutting.
  3. When you are finished, please revert the tool condition to condition 1, and please return the tool to its original position in the tool clamp.
  4. The stickers will be lightly held in place by the perforation. Gently punch them out to remove them from the media.

Troubleshooting

Material Slips Away Before Printing

  1. Maker sure loading lever is lowered and that the pinch rollers are within the edges of the material.
  2. Go back to step 11 above, make sure the measurements of the “cutting area” are correct.

Error Message: "Motor Error"

  1. Turn off the power
  2. Lower loading lever
  3. Load material again.