Software: Sure Cuts A Lot 3 Pro
Your design must be a vector to be able to cut it. Rasters do not work.
You may draw a design using the tools in SCAL, or import a picture to create your own design. Complex pictures will be very difficult to turn into designs. Clean lines, work best.
Primarily, you will want your design to be one color. It is possible to create a design with multiple colors. This involves creating multiple layers with registration marks and very carefully placing layers of vinyl on top of each other.
Importing File Types: ai, svg, pdf, eps, png, plt, wpc Exporting File Types: svg, bmp, jpg, png, tiff, plt
On the desktop there is a folder called “Vinyl Design Files”. In that folder, create your own folder with your name to save your designs. That way we can share files and save each other time.
Make sure Sure Cuts a Lot is already open.
Turn on machine switch, which is on the left side of the machine.
Place the roll of vinyl on the two rollers on the back of the machine stand. The vinyl should be on the right side of the machine. Note: Make sure the vinyl is coming off the back side of the roll.
Unlock the support roller by putting the lever in the up position. Insert the vinyl between the support roller and the metal roller, from back to front. Square the front edge of the vinyl to the machine and lock the support roller in place by pushing the lever so that it is parallel to the ground.
Preferably you want at least two support rollers holding you vinyl. If your piece is very small, you can get away with just using one. If using a 24” or larger roll, 3 rollers should be used.
Note: Make sure the support rollers are on the metal rollers and not on the black space between the metal rollers.
Once your vinyl is locked down, hit “Offline”.
Use the up, down, left, and right arrows to position the blade holder inside the lower right corner of your vinyl. There should be vinyl at least ½” to the left and below the blade holder.
Tip: To make sure that your vinyl is square, position the blade holder in the lower right corner and use the arrow keys to move the vinyl forward and backward. Watch that the blade holder is consistently the same distance from the edge.
If cutting a larger or longer piece, make sure that as much vinyl as you will use has been unwound from the roll. You do not want the machine to have to pull the roll because it wears out the motors faster.
Once you are happy with the position of the blade holder, hit “Origin”.
Confirm that the Speed is set to 300 mm/s and the Pressure to 040g.
*Note: If cutting HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl), extend the blade out a bit, and use 200g pressure and 120 mm/s speed. Remember to change back to default settings and retract the blade back when you're done.
Setup your vector image.
A vector image is points connected by paths forming an image.
The vector file tells the machine where and how to move the blade.
It is difficult to create vectors in SCAL. It only has simple text, path, and node tools and would be time consuming to create a complex design.
Instead, use Inkscape to create images from scratch. Or use Inkscape to import images and manipulate them into vectors.
To open a vector file in SCAL, click
>File>Import, and select your file.
Once you have your vector file created and ready to cut, click on your design, look in the upper right hand corner at the “Position & Size” tab. Here you can adjust the size and orientation of your design.
Confirm that the image is the correct dimensions.
Deselect everything and look in the upper right hand corner again at the “Document” tab. Here you can adjust the mat size. You can set the size of your material, which can be very useful if you are using a scrap piece.
Next, click on
Cutter > Cut with USCutter.
Settings:
>General
>Cut Mode: Origin Point
>End Action
>Rewind to origin
>Advance Amount: will determine how much the machine spits out when it’s done.
>Do nothing
>Cut by Color
*An advanced technique, you can multicolor designs by layering pieces. To assist this
technique, you can create layers in your design and designate various colors to correspond
with which color vinyl that particular layer will need to be cut in.
>Tiles
*You can make the program separate your file into pieces if your application requires it.
>Extras
>Cut Copies
*When this is selected, you can automatically cut multiple copies of your design
by setting how many rows and columns, and you can set the distance between copies.
When you are satisfied with your settings and double-checked that the vinyl cutter machine is setup correctly, hit “Cut”.
Listen to the fun noises!
Once it is done, if the machine didn’t advance enough vinyl to reveal your image, either: 1. Release the clamps and pull the vinyl out of the back of the machine. 2. Or, hit “Offline” on the machine and the down arrow until enough material is exposed that you can cut off your work.
Use scissors to cut your design off the roll(No blades on the machine please!). Please cut all the way across the roll. If you have extra pieces that are at least 2” x 4”, please place them in the scrap bin.
Vinyl is $2/sq ft. Scraps are free to use.
Your design is cut, but now you need to remove the vinyl that is not part of your design. This process is called weeding.
Use tweezers, dental picks, Xacto knives, and scissors to remove the excess vinyl.
Be careful not to let the extra vinyl stick to other vinyl. It doesn’t like to come off and may ruin your design.
If there are large amounts of vinyl around your design, or if your design is encompassed, it can help to cut lines from the outermost line of your design to the edge of the piece to create smaller, easier to remove excess pieces. These are often called “weed lines” and can be automated by certain programs, or added to the original file manually.
If you use an Xacto blade, please use a cutting mat under your vinyl.
Now it’s time to apply your design.
Make sure the surface where you will be applying your work is clean and dry.
Take the roll of transfer tape and pull loose enough to cover your design, then cut that piece off the roll. *For larger designs, applying the tape as you pull it off the roll can be easier than cutting the whole piece off first.
Carefully apply the transfer tape to your design, trying to prevent bubbles and creases. It helps if you start from the inside and press towards the outside.
Use a squeegee to smooth the tape and to make sure the tape is securely attached to the vinyl.
Remove the paper backing slowly.
Carefully position your design on your application surface and place either the center or one corner first and smooth towards the outside.
Use a squeegee to make sure the vinyl is securely attached to the application surface.
Pull the transfer tape away at one side and pull away as close to 180deg as possible. Be careful that none of your vinyl is sticking to the transfer tape.
Voila!
Now don’t forget to clean up after yourself.
Where to Buy
Applying Large Pieces
There is a spray you can buy, or you can use soapy water that makes applying large pieces much easier. Spray your surface wet with the liquid, then apply your sticker. The liquid will allow your sticker to float, allowing you to align perfectly before it is permanently stuck to the surface. Once it is in the correct spot, use a squeegee, starting from the center and going out, to press the liquid and any air bubbles out.
Air Bubbles
Got air bubbles? Poke a small hole with an Xacto knife to allow the air to release. Then just smooth the bump out with a squeegee.