PREPARING CUT FILES

How To Prepare Your Art Files For A Specific Cut
(Adobe Illustrator)

Preparing your art files that contain a specific shape (anything other than a square or rectangle) is hugely important to the Pre-Press part of the production. Below you will find step-by-step instructions on how to add your cut line properly.

Cut Types include:

• Cut-Through

• Kiss-Cut + Cut-Through = Transfer Decals & Sticker Sheets

Cut Through

Kiss Cut / Cut Through

Cut Through

The Cut through this defines the shape of the outside of the graphic or sign.

Part 1: Adding the Cut Line

1. Create your Die Line and set the Stroke to 2pt thickness with NO Fill Color.
2. Change the Color to either Red, Pink, or Green (any bright, visible color that is not the same as the color of your artwork will do)
3. Select the Stroke color in your 'Swatch' library and then click on 'New Swatch' (See 'image A & B')
4. Change the 'Swatch Name' to CUT (See 'image C')
5. Change the 'Color Type' to SPOT COLOR (See 'image C')
6. Make sure the 'Color Mode is set to CMYK and Press OK (See 'image C')

Kiss-Cuts for Transfer Decals & Sticker Sheets

The Kiss Cut option allows us to cut vinyl lettering without cutting through the paper backing. Hence the "kiss" in Kiss-cut! Kiss cuts also require exterior CUT Through die lines to define the shape of the outside of the graphic.

Part 1: Adding the Kiss Cut Line

1. Create your Die Line and set the Stroke to 2pt thickness with NO Fill Color.
2. Change the Color to either Red, Pink, or Green (any bright, visible color that is not the same as the color of your artwork will do)
3. Select the Stroke color in your 'Swatch' library and then click on 'New Swatch' (See 'image A & B')
4. Change the 'Swatch Name' to KISS_CUT (See 'image C')
5. Change the 'Color Type' to SPOT COLOR (See 'image C')
6. Make sure the 'Color Mode is set to CMYK and Press OK (See 'image C')

Part 2: Adding the Exterior Cut Through Die line

1. Create your Die Line and set the Stroke to 2pt thickness with NO Fill Color.
2. Change the Color to either Red, Pink, or Green (any bright that is not the same as the color of your artwork or your KISS_CUT die line)
3. Select the Stroke color in your 'Swatch' library and then click on 'New Swatch' (See 'image A & B')
4. Change the 'Swatch Name' to CUT (See 'image C')
5. Change the 'Color Type' to SPOT COLOR (See 'image C')
6. Make sure the 'Color Mode is set to CMYK and Press OK (See 'image C')