March 22, 2022

Our custom cutter can create nearly any shape from almost every material we print on. But how do you set up your art files to tell the cutter where and how to make the finished product? It's simple. We'll show you!

File away this File Prep 101 for the next time you create custom cut graphics, and check out our project inspiration below — Beeline+Blue's logo coasters.

----------- FILE PREP 101 ---------

How to specify cut lines in your art.

A solid 1px or 2px line placed on top of your art can be used to indicate where cuts should be made.

1. Create a new spot color swatch in Adobe InDesign or Illustrator.
2. Name the swatch CUT LINE
3. Draw your cut line and set the outline to your CUT LINE color
4. Create a new layer and name it Cut Line
5. Cut and paste the cut line on to the Cut Line layer
6. Save your file

Pro Tip: Scoring is indicated the same way as above, but with a dotted line instead of a solid line. Follow these steps to prepare your art and be sure to let us know if there are any special instructions.

Interested in custom-cut graphics?

Hold my bottle. I've got this!

We cut our coasters from black PVC Sintra®. They are double-sided and feature a routed reveal around the plus sign for an interesting tactile quality.