Make your 2D vector designs a vinyl reality! Yes, you too can make your own custom window stickers, laptop stickers, didactic panel stickers, and more! In this orientation you will learn how to use the vinyl cutter to create your own stickers and decals. No prerequisites necessary, although we do recommend some experience with 2D vector design software.

Safety Considerations

• SHARP BLADE - when handling the blade (eg. to adjust or change caps for different thickness) take care not to cut yourself
• Changing the tool exposes the sharp blade. The blade is approx 2mm long with a sharp tip. This could cause the operator a minor stab wound or a cut if handled improperly.
• The workpiece can move quickly in and out of the machine and could hit the operator. However, the workpiece is likely to be thin and flexible, so the risk is more of a paper cut than blunt force.
• The tool carrier moves horizontally within the machine and could trap fingers. This is a similar action to an inkjet printer, but can exert more force.

Lesson Sequence/Teaching Guide

1. Design

• Create your design in Inkscape
  • Convert all your objects to path
    • to avoid glitches combine all of your objects into one path
    • Select all objects then Path -> Combine
  • Check with view outlines it's what you want (line thickness is ignored remember)
    • View -> Display Mode -> Outline
  • Save as SVG
• Import into Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) on the vinyl cutter PC
  • Check scale (different programs will scale slightly differently)
  • Verify the dimensions are the same in Inkscape as Sure Cuts A lot
  • If the entire file doesn’t import, go back to inscape and convert the file to an object
  • Do not mirror your image for sticky vinyl
  • View as outline to check (sometimes this will show things that it otherwise hides)
  • Verify tool offset is 0.30mm
    • Cutter -> Cutter Settings
  • Set mat size and orientation in SCAL (portrait/landscape)
    • Right click on artboard> Mat Size > Custom Mat Size
    • Change mat size to slightly bigger than the object
• Set up Vinyl Cutter For Pen Use
  • First set-up the vinyl cutter using a pen. Place an elastic band around the pen to guarantee a tight fit. Position pen just above the surface of the material, but not touching it.
  • On the vinyl cutter, hit the test button. It will run a test drawing of a star
  • Go to Cutter> Cut with US Cutter
    • Right Click> Mat Orientation
      • Black Corner is starting point
      • Arrow is feed direction
      • Purple is front of cutter
• Change holder to pen
• Run a test
  • Go to Cutter> Cut with US Cutter
    • Change holder to blade
    • Run a test with pen in blade mode
    • Compare the difference between the two holder settings
  • Set up Vinyl Cutter For Blade
    • Blade slides all the way into the holder
    • To adjust blade, loosen the silver nut and tighten the gold one.
    • Blade offset may need to be changed if you are using a different blade
  • Load up Vinyl Cutter with Sticky Backed Vinyl.
    • Make sure material is locked into place and rollers are sitting on top of textured surface
    • Check correct tip installed (usually 45 degree standard cutter)
    • On vinyl cutter, turn velocity to zero (hit 20 times)
    • Move cutting head to bottom right of sheet (material at back of printer)
  • Test cut using the “Test” button on the vinyl cutter machine to cut a star. Check it cuts the vinyl but not the backing.
    • Hit reset and turn velocity to zero between all tests and cuts
  • Adjust force accordingly. If it does not cut through vinyl, increase force by two. Always leave velocity at zero.
  • *** Hot Tip: Make the speed very slow to minimize the blade from catching the material, the only downside with a slow speed is that it takes longer
    • Insert vinyl
  • Move cutting head to bottom right of sheet (material at back of printer)
  • In Sure Cuts A Lot:
    • Menu: Cutter -> Cut With US Cutter
    • Make sure holder is set to blade.
    • "Cut" to start
  • Setup Sticker
    • Cut a rectangle around the outside of the sticker
    • Remove the negative of the sticker
    • Place transfer paper over top and ensure there are no air bubbles
    • When ready to use, peel away sticky back and place sticker on final resting place, ensure there are no bubbles - you can push them out with a credit card, then remove transfer paper

Blade Offset

The distance between the tip of the blade and the centre of the head is offset.

What affects the blade offset:

• Angle of the blade
• How much of the blade is exposed

Optimal tools offset is 0.30 mm.

Using Transfer Paper

Transfer paper allows you to perfectly place the sticker on anything because of the sticky hierarchy.

Sticky Hierarchy

1. Most Sticky : Vinyl Adhesive (between vinyl sticker and final surface)
2. Medium Sticky: Transfer Paper (between vinyl sticker and transfer paper)
3. Least Sticky : Vinyl Backing (between vinyl sticker and slick backing)