TexHouse Plain comparisons of 3D printing and maker tools

How to prepare files for batch cutting for sticker shop owners

Steps for sticker shop owners to prepare artwork for batch cutting: clean-up, vector tracing, cut outlines, file formats and test cuts.

By TexHouse ยท

TexHouse is published by the makers of LunarWerx 3D Print, Vector3D and MeshyDL, which are compared here alongside other tools.

Clean each design, trace it into vector shapes, set the final size and cut outline, limit the colours, and run a test sheet before the full batch. VectorMagik traces pictures into vector shapes [1] and can add a die-cut sticker outline [1].

OptionWhat it doesFee
VectorMagikTraces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine [1]. Saves SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG files [1].Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0) [1]
Other tools in this categoryNot published on this page; check the tool's own pageNot published

What you need before you start

Before you prepare a batch, gather the artwork you plan to cut. Each design should be a single picture with clear edges, saved at the best quality you have. Make a short list of designs and the quantity of each, so you know which files need a cut outline and which need only a clean trace.

Have the cutter or print software you use open, and check which file formats it reads, because that decides what you save at the end. Keep a folder with a clear naming pattern, so each file can be found after the cut. A few blank sheets of the material you cut are useful for test runs, since the first cut shows whether the outline and spacing are right.

Finally, check that the printer, cutter and material match the size you plan to produce. A notebook for recording the settings that worked is also helpful, because the same settings will matter the next time a similar order comes in.

Step by step

Work through these steps for each design in the batch.

  1. Clean the artwork. Remove stray specks, faint edges and background shades that you do not want on the sticker. A clean source makes every later step easier.
  1. Set the final size. Decide the size each sticker will be printed or cut at before you trace anything, because the cut line follows the final artwork. Resize the design now rather than after the outline is added.
  1. Trace the picture into vector shapes. Convert the artwork into vector shapes so edges stay sharp at any size and the cutter has clean paths to follow.
  1. Simplify the curves. Merge tiny curve pieces so the cut path is smooth rather than jagged. Keep enough detail that small features still read clearly.
  1. Limit the colours. Reduce the design to the number of shades the print or cut job needs, and merge close shades so the file is easier to handle.
  1. Add the cut outline. Add an outline around each design with a border and enough space that the cut does not clip the artwork. Add a white rim or shadow only if the design calls for it.
  1. Check each file at actual size. Open the finished file at the size it will be cut and look at corners, thin lines and small details. Fix anything that will not survive the cutter.
  1. Save in the format your cutter reads. Choose the format your software accepts, and keep the vector source so you can edit it later.
  1. Run a test sheet. Cut one sheet with the full batch settings before you start the whole order. Adjust spacing, outline or position, then run the rest of the batch.

Tools that can do it

VectorMagik is made by the team that publishes this site. It traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine. [1] A slider sets how much small line pieces are joined into smooth ones, and Auto picks the strongest setting that still keeps the picture. [1] You can move or delete points on the curved lines and round individual corners after converting. [1]

For the cut itself, it can add a die-cut sticker outline with a border, white rim and optional drop shadow. [1] You can limit the result to between 1 and 64 colours. [1] You can also click shapes to delete them, such as a background, or merge two shades into one. [1]

You can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [1] Downloads exist for Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, plus a browser version. [1] Pick the download that matches your computer: a Windows installer or a portable copy on Windows, a Mac download on macOS, or a Linux package on Linux. [1]

Other tools in this category may also fit your work. This page has no published facts about them, so check each tool's own page for what it does and what it costs before you choose.

Common mistakes to avoid

Skipping the clean-up step is a common mistake. Stray specks and faint edges turn into extra cut paths, and the cutter follows every one.

Tracing at the wrong size is another. A design traced small and then enlarged can lose detail at the edges, so set the final size first. Leaving the outline too tight is also a problem, because a small shift in the material can clip the artwork.

Cutting a full batch without a test sheet wastes material when spacing or position is off. Mixing file formats across a batch makes it hard to know which settings went with which design, so pick one format and stick to it.

Finally, using a free tool for paid work without reading its licence is a mistake. Read the terms before a shop relies on any tool for orders.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get a sticker design ready for a die cut?

Start with a clean single-picture design and remove stray specks or background shades. Trace the artwork into vector shapes so the edges stay sharp at any size. Set the final size, then add an outline around the design with enough room for the cut. VectorMagik can add a die-cut sticker outline with a border, white rim and optional drop shadow. [1] Test one sheet before you run the full batch.

Is VectorMagik free for a sticker shop?

VectorMagik is free for everyone, but business use needs a licence, and a sticker shop is business use. [1] Business use needs a licence, and the tool is licensed under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0. [1] A sticker shop is a business, so read that licence text before you use the tool for paid orders. The licence terms are what govern your use, so check them directly rather than relying on a summary.

Can VectorMagik limit the number of colours in a sticker design?

Yes. VectorMagik can limit the result to between 1 and 64 colours. [1] You can also click shapes to delete them, such as a background, or merge two shades into one. [1] Fewer colours usually make a sticker simpler to print and cut, so set the limit to the number of shades your design truly needs.

Which file formats can VectorMagik save a traced sticker as?

VectorMagik can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [1] Pick the format your cutting or print software reads, and keep a copy of the traced file so you can change it later. Check that your cutter accepts the format before you start a batch. You can also compare the vector with the bitmap side by side, or flip between them with B and V keys. [1]

Does VectorMagik run in a web browser or on Linux?

A version of VectorMagik runs in the web browser using the same engine. [1] Downloads also exist for Windows x64, macOS on Apple Silicon and Intel, and Linux x64. [1] A command-line version does the same work without a window. [1] Check which version matches the computer your shop uses before you install it.

Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0). [1]

Try VectorMagik

Sources

  1. VectorMagik's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)

Related comparisons