kreatorproduktow.pl
30 days free

Stickers and cutting

CutContour: the cut line for a plotter

CutContour is the agreed name of a spot colour used to mark the cut line in a file. The RIP of a print-and-cut machine (e.g. Roland VersaWorks) recognises the line by the colour name, does not print it, and passes it to the plotter as a cutting path.

Try it free for 30 days See pricing
Colour name
CutContour (case matters in some RIPs)
Type
Spot colour, usually displayed as 100% magenta
Line
Thin, e.g. 0.25 pt, no fill
Setting
Overprint the stroke

How to set up CutContour

  1. Draw a cutting path around the artwork, usually 1–3 mm from its edge.
  2. Create a new swatch named CutContour, type: spot colour. The colour value, e.g. 100% magenta, is only for preview.
  3. Give the path a thin stroke in that colour, with no fill.
  4. Set the stroke to overprint, so the line does not knock a white gap into the artwork below.
  5. Save the PDF without converting spot colours.

In Illustrator a spot colour is created in the Swatches panel, in CorelDRAW in the spot colour palette; Inkscape needs extensions, or the PDF must be prepared in another program, because Inkscape does not support spot colours directly.

CutContour from the designer

The kreatorproduktow.pl sticker designer creates the cut line by itself: from a shape, from the artwork outline or from an element outline in a photo. The order gets the print file and a separate PDF with the line in the CutContour colour. The line check warns about places narrower than 1 mm. See sticker designer.

Frequently asked questions

Does CutContour have to be a separate file?

Not always. Often the line is in the same PDF as the artwork. Some print shops prefer a separate file because it is easier to check. The kreatorproduktow.pl designer provides a separate cut-line file.

How far should the line be from the artwork?

Usually 1–3 mm. On stickers with a white border, the gap forms a visible frame around the artwork.

How does CutContour differ from Thru-cut?

In many RIPs CutContour means cutting only the vinyl (the sticker stays on the liner), while Thru-cut cuts all the way through. Names depend on the RIP vendor.

See also

Try the designer on your own products

30 days free, no card and no automatic payments. Standard costs 58 EUR net per month, Premium 80 EUR. One shop and one order system are included.

Try it free for 30 days Demo on the home page