Vinyl cutter user guide

Shop Area: Rapid Prototyping Tool: Vinyl Cutter Requires in-person training: No

Procedure Number UG 120-03, Rev. 1

Date 1/29/2021

GENERAL

A vinyl cutter is used to cut adhesive-backed vinyl for stickers, sign making, and screen printing. It can also cut heat press vinyl for use in printing on shirts, hats, mugs, etc.

We have a 28" USCutter MH721 and a Roland SV-8 vinyl cutter.

Inkcut is the software used to control the vinyl cutter. InkCut is a Python-based application that controls 2D plotters, vinyl cutters, and CNC machines. It lets you prepare graphics, scale, add weed lines, and send designs directly to your cutter. It is installed on the computer at the vinyl cutting station at Vector Space, in Printmaking.

Inkcut is an extension of the vector graphics program Inkscape. The general workflow is to design something in Inkscape, save it as an .svg, then open that .svg with Inkcut where it's sent to the cutter.

There are a few adjustment settings available in Inkcut; most of your design modification and prep work will need to be done with Inkscape.

As seen in the screenshot here, within Inkcut you can resize, rotate, and mirror your design.

By clicking on the Material tab (top left tab, pictured), you can adjust your material size, margin, and alignment settings.

By clicking on the Weedlines tab (middle left tab), you can add weedlines (a border cut around your graphic) to your job.

By clicking on the Layers tab (bottom left tab), you can select different layers from your .svg file to display and cut.

SAFETY

Operation of this device requires use of sharp blades.

Vinyl cutters are subject to static build-up.

REFERENCE

USCutter User Manual & Assembly Instructions: https://www.uscutter.com/static/PDFs/MH_Manual_09172019.pdf

Roland SV-8 product info: https://sfsupplies.com/pdf/Stika_Series.pdf

Inkcut walkthrough: https://www.codelv.com/projects/inkcut/docs/tutorial/

PROCEDURE

This procedure is written assuming the use of the MH721 vinyl cutter. The SV-8 works very similarly, and any differences can be found in the manufacturer's manual.

1. Prepare design

1. Use Inkscape or another vector graphics software to prepare your design and export it as an .svg file. Note that text will need to be converted to a path in Inkscape.
2. Choose a piece of vinyl that will fit your design. It is recommended that you choose a piece that will allow for at least one inch of margin in the y axis and two inches of margin in the x axis.

2. Load vinyl

1. Lift the three roller levers on the back of the vinyl cutter to open up the clamps.
2. Load your sheet of vinyl into the cutter so that the closest edge lies between the blade carriage the ruler located on the front of the machine.
   • For sticker vinyl, place the vinyl facing up so that the backing (usually white) is face down.
   • For heat press vinyl, flip the vinyl so that the matte (non glossy) side is facing up.
3. Set the clamp levers to the middle position, locking the vinyl sheet in place.
   • At least two of the roller clamps will need to be clamped onto your vinyl for successful cutting.
   • Avoid positioning a roller clamp in the gap between the two feed rollers (at the center of the machine).
4. Slide the blade carriage to sit in the bottom corner of your vinyl (0,0 position: see x and y planes labeled on machine).

3. Prepare machine

1. Review the cutter settings on the display screen. The default settings are:
   • Cut speed: 300mm/s
   • Cut press: 100g
2. Check cutting blade.
   • Loosen the screw on the blade carriage and remove the blade holder.
   • Clear any vinyl scraps or debris from the blade area.
   • Check that the blade is sharp and that it is positioned to barely protrude from the blade housing.
   • Return the blade to the housing and tighten screw to hold it securely in place.
3. Perform a test cut on a scrap piece of your vinyl by pushing the "Test" button on the machine. This will cut a small star that will allow you to determine whether your speed and pressure settings are correct.

4. Open file

1. Open Inkcut (Applications > Graphics).
2. Click File > Open and select the .svg file that you would like to cut.
3. Note the x and y axis labeled on the machine and cross check this with the x and y axis on your screen. Ensure your vinyl is loaded in the correct orientation.
4. Once the svg image is displayed in the preview window, you can make minor adjustments to your piece.

5. Cut graphic

1. Start the cutting operation by clicking the Device menu option, then Send to device. Alternately, you can click CTRL +P to bring up the same dialog window.
2. Review the dialog window for accuracy, then click Start.

Key cutting notes:

1. When choosing a starting location, remember that the process will start in the bottom left area of the design.

2. Leave enough room to the left of and behind the starting location to finish the cut.

4. If setting up for your first cut with the machine the default values are good starting points.

5. Upon making any adjustments to the cutter, make sure to return to the main screen before cutting.

TUTORIAL

My First Vinyl Cut

After reviewing the above procedure, the following steps are recommended for your first test use of the vinyl cutter.

1. Download circle.svg by right clicking the link and selecting Save Link As.
2. Open Inkcut (Applications > Graphics).
3. Click File in the menu, then Open. Navigate to your downloaded file and click Open.
4. Load Vinyl.
   1. Choose a piece of vinyl that is at least 3" in both directions.
   2. Lift the three roller levers on the back of the vinyl cutter to open up the clamps.
   3. Load your sheet of vinyl into the cutter so that it slightly overhangs the ruler located on the front of the machine.
      • For sticker vinyl, place the vinyl facing up so that the [usually white] backing is face down.
      • For heat press vinyl, flip the vinyl so that the matte (non glossy) side is facing up.
   4. Set the clamp levers to the middle position, locking the vinyl sheet in place.
      • At least two of the roller clamps will need to be clamped onto your vinyl for successful cutting.
      • Avoid positioning a roller clamp in the gap between the two feed rollers (at the center of the machine).
5. Prepare Machine.
   1. Review the cutter settings on the display screen. The default settings are:
      • Cut speed: 300mm/s
      • Cut press: 100g
   2. Check cutting blade.
      • Loosen the screw on the blade carriage and remove the blade holder.
      • Clear any vinyl scraps or debris from the blade area.
      • Check that the blade is sharp and that it is positioned to barely protrude from the blade housing.
   3. Perform a test cut on a scrap piece of your vinyl by pushing the "Test" button on the machine. This will cut a small star that will allow you to determine whether your speed and pressure settings are correct.
6. Cut Graphic.
   1. Start the cutting operation by clicking the Device menu option, then Send to device. Alternately, you can click CTRL +P to bring up the same dialog window.
   2. Review the dialog window for accuracy, then click Start.
7. Review your cut for any issues. Check that the size is correct and that the sticker comes off of the sheet cleanly and in one piece.

My Second Vinyl Cut

The following steps will cover mirroring your design, weeding, and transferring your sticker. This procedure picks up immediately after My First Vinyl Cut, and assumes your software and machine settings have already been adjusted.

1. Download text.svg by right clicking the link and selecting Save Link As.
2. Click File in the menu, then Open. Navigate to your downloaded file and click Open.
3. Load Vinyl (choose a piece that is at least 4" in the x direction and 2" in the y direction).
4. Adjust design.
   1. In the Inkcut Graphic window (right side), select the checkbox next to "Mirror about y-axis" to mirror your design. The word TEXT should now read properly left to right.
   2. Click the Weedlines tab (middle left tab) to display a new window of options.
   3. Select the checkbox next to "Add weedline to plot".
   4. Click the Weedlines tab again to hide the dialog box. Confirm that a new rectangle has appeared around the word TEXT.
5. Cut Graphic.
   1. Start the cutting operation by clicking the Device menu option, then Send to device. Alternately, you can click CTRL +P to bring up the same dialog window.
   2. Review the dialog window for accuracy, then click Start.
6. Weed sticker.
   1. Remove your vinyl from the machine and cut around the weed box with scissors.
   2. Using an Exacto knife or other pointed device, remove all vinyl around the word TEXT.
   3. Cut a piece of transfer paper (clear tape with blue grid lines) that is slightly larger than your TEXT.
   4. Smoothly place the transfer tape over your design, rubbing hard to ensure adhesion.
   5. Lift the transfer tape slowly, helping the vinyl to stick to it as you lift it from the backing paper.
   6. Your TEXT sticker is now ready to be placed onto its final destination. Stick the vinyl with transfer paper to a smooth, solid surface, and rub with pressure to ensure adhesion. Next carefully peel away the transfer paper, leaving the TEXT vinyl behind.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Issue	Solution
Partial cuts or skipped areas	The blade may dull, or the cutting pressure may be too light. Replace the blade and if necessary (for thicker vinyl especially) increase the cut pressure.
Communication Error	If you're hitting Start and nothing's happening (especially if you recently had to stop the machine mid-cut), the machine's RAM may be full. Toggle the power button off and then back on to reset the memory, and then resume your work.
Wavy Lines wavy lines and inconsistent cuts	Make sure that the two white wheels behind the carriage arm are both resting securly on top of (not in front of) the track. If the wheels are not on the track, gently lift the carriage arm and press back until the wheels engage securely on the track.  If not, see http://Www.USCutter.com/static/PDFs/carriage_off_track.pdf
Unexpected slashes are made across the vinyl	If the blade is protruding too far from the blade carriage, then it can score and cut during travel. If this occurs, adjust the blade so that it is protruding a minimal distance from the carriage.
Vinyl slips and design is cut incorrectly	Ensure that at least two roller clamps are making contact with the vinyl at all times. If the vinyl slips out of a clamp it will only move on one side, causing a shift in the design.
Words in text not cutting completely	Solution unknown. This may be a software issue, and has not yet been solved. Suggestions include increasing the size of the text, and decreasing the speed of the cutter.