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Line 58: − Sticker making is the most frequent use of the vinyl cutter but it can be used for other applications as well depending on the type of material being cut. For cutting materials, vinyl rolls can be be found in the cabinet below the computer and loaded onto the material rack at the back of the machine. However, for most projects a small piece will be sufficient and it is recommended that you use the scrap pieces in the bin to the right of the computer as a result. As for other materials, heat transfer vinyl can be used (found in the cabinet to the right of the vinyl printer); further it is possible to cut other vinyl based materials if you find they are compatible with the machine and have them cleared by Justin. Uploaded graphics can be in any format, but .pdf is preferred. This is due to the vector format of .pdf files, other formats need to be converted to vector form in Adobe illustrator 2025. The vinyl cutter needs to be loaded and setup before a graphic can be sent to it and cut out. Once cutting has been completed, it also needs to be reset and turned off.+ + + + + + + − + Line 142:
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→Operation
== Description ==
== Description ==
Vinyl cutting is the process of cutting graphics out of vinyl to make adhesive vinyl applications. The maker hub has a Roland GR-640 cutter. It cuts larger format vinyl than the BN-20 [[Vinyl Printer]], but does not have printing capability. It is used to make stickers/cutouts for applications such as signage, vehicle graphics, apparel, etc. The vinyl cutter is used primarily for cutting vinyl sheeting, but can cut other materials if needed for a specific project, see [https://www.rolanddga.com/products/vinyl-cutters/camm-1-gr-large-format-cutters/applications this application page]
Vinyl cutting is the process of cutting graphics out of vinyl to make adhesive vinyl applications. The maker hub has a Roland GR-640 cutter. It cuts larger format vinyl than the BN-20 [[Vinyl Printer]], but does not have printing capability. It is used to make vinyl cutouts for applications such as signage, vehicle graphics, apparel, etc. The vinyl cutter is used primarily for cutting vinyl sheeting, but can cut other materials if needed for a specific project, see [https://www.rolanddga.com/products/vinyl-cutters/camm-1-gr-large-format-cutters/applications this application page]
Example process video:
Example process video:
==== Operation ====
==== Operation ====
For cutting materials, calendar vinyl rolls can be be found in the cabinet below the computers; heat transfer vinyl rolls can be found in the cabinet to the right of the vinyl printer; vinyl scraps including calendar vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, and digital print media vinyl pieces can be found in the vinyl scrap bin. Please do not use the digital print media vinyl rolls on the standard vinyl cutter (scrap pieces of digital print media vinyl are OK to use on the standard vinyl cutter). The digital print media vinyl rolls are only for printing stickers on the vinyl printer.
For the vinyl cutter, vinyl rolls are loaded onto the two metal rollers with the vinyl fed in from the back of the machine. Vinyl pieces can be fed in from the front of the machine. For most projects, a small piece will be sufficient, so please use pieces from the scrap bin if possible. Further, it is possible to cut other vinyl based materials if you find they are compatible with the machine and have them cleared by Justin.
Graphics or text can be made in Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, or your favorite vector graphics software. Ultimately, your file will need to be uploaded into Illustrator as the final step because the Roland CutStudio extension--which talks to the vinyl cutter and sends over the cut information--lives inside of Adobe Illustrator. Illustrator can accept .ai files, .svg files, .pdf files, .dxf files, .eps files, and many more.
80 gf is the recommended cut force for calendar vinyl.
==== Demonstration ====
==== Demonstration ====
The student will draw a 1.5 in. x 1.5 in. graphic in Illustrator. Using the Roland CutStudio Extension, they will finalize and cut the graphic. To finish they will weed the sticker. Learning the transfer paper process is optional but very useful for applying vinyl letters/words. The student is also responsible for setting up the vinyl cutter before it is used and resetting it after they are done.
The student will draw a 1.5 in. x 1.5 in. graphic in Illustrator. Using the Roland CutStudio Extension, they will finalize and cut the graphic. To finish, they will weed the vinyl cutout. Learning the transfer paper process is optional but very useful for applying vinyl letters/words. The student is also responsible for setting up the vinyl cutter before it is used and resetting it after they are done.
==== General Procedure ====
==== General Procedure ====
## Continue this process until the graphic is completely applied and all air bubbles are removed.
## Continue this process until the graphic is completely applied and all air bubbles are removed.
# Peel the transfer paper from the material, in the same manner as the backing of the vinyl was peeled off.
# Peel the transfer paper from the material, in the same manner as the backing of the vinyl was peeled off.
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Stickers do not have to be immediately applied to a surface. The process can be stopped at step 4.1 of Transferring the Graphic, and applied later in a similar manner. Using the squeegee to apply is also optional but may result in a less polished final product.
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Vinyl does not have to be immediately applied to a surface. The process can be stopped at step 4.1 of Transferring the Graphic, and applied later in a similar manner. Using the squeegee to apply is also optional but may result in a less polished final product.
== Certification ==
== Certification ==