Advice on Print & Cut / Contour-Cut Graphics
Absolute Graphix owns some of the best print & cut graphics technology around today! Printing a full colour graphic, then laminating it for very long life protection, and finally contour-cutting it precisely is something we do well. These graphics can be used on vehicles, sign boards, windows, or any other surface that you would normally stick graphics to. But contour-cutting requires some careful preparation in order to work properly:
1. Original Image
You will start with your original image. This can be a photo, a logo, or whatever it is you need to print and cut.
2. Creating a Vectore Outline Cut Path
You will need to create a good quality vector outline of the graphic which the plotter blade can follow as a cutting path. Some software can auto-trace images but we have found it is always best to spend the time doing this manually in order to guarantee best results. Quite often software tracing programs can create juddery lines which plotters find hard to follow.
3. Vector Outline Complete
You will need to save your vector outline at the exact same size as the original bitmap image that you traced.
4. Cutting
Once the image has been printed and laminated, we will set up our machines to cut around the image using the Cut Path.
It can then be weeded like any other cut vinyl.
5. Finished
You can then apply the print & cut vinyl to your job.
Specifications:
Original printed image:
High quality JPEG, EPS file, Adobe Illustrator file, etc.
Colour mode: CMYK
Resolution: 300dpi
Vector Outline Cut-Path:
Adobe Illustrator native format (.ai)
Closed shape
Made and saved to 100% size of original image
How to supply files:
Image and vector file separately
Image and vector file both embedded in an Adobe Illustrator document (.ai)
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