Tech Tips - CUT VINYL

CutPath with Adobe Illustrator 8, 9, 10 & CS

The following tech note will walk you through creating a CutPath to use with Roland COLORIP, from Adobe Illustrator 8, 9, & 10.

Notes:

  • A CutPath is a cutting path only, it will not print.
  • When designing your artwork keep in mind where the CutPath is needed and where it is not. Hiding or Masking a CutPath will not function as a way of eliminating a section of a CutPatyh.
  • When designing print and cut work be sure to include bleed for the CutPath.
  • Elements smaller than 0.5 in, in any dimension will most likely not cut and weed cleanly.

  1. Start by creating a new bland document.
  2. Click on Window and select Show Swatches.
  3. Click on Window and select Show Stroke.
  4. To create a new Swatch you can click on the right arrow of the Swatch Window and select New Swatch.
  5. The Swatch name must be CutPath. Figure 1
  6. The Color type must be Spot Color. Figure 2
  7. The Color mode may be set to any color space you choose, whatever color you select, COLORIP will replace this color with "marching ants" along the cut path. Figure 2
  8. Click OK to save the swatch. Figure 2
  9. From the Stroke tab, apply the settings: Weight .25, Miter Limit 1

  10. For illustrator 9,10 & CS users, the transparency options need to be set as follows: NormalOpacity at 100%.
  11. Select the Stroke Color and then select the CutPath color swatch.
  12. You can create your artwork with the CutPath stroke around the art you wish to have cut out.
  13. When finished save your artwork as an. eps file.

Figure 1

Figure 2