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Author Topic: Need help prepping art for die cut.  (Read 6514 times)

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thomas_surles

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Need help prepping art for die cut.
« on: February 22, 2021, 08:23:41 pm »
So I am trying to get my art files together for printing and I wanted the side art to be cut like the attached image. How would I go about setting up the file in photoshop to be cut like that? Like do I need to add an outline for where it gets cut? Any help appreciated, I'd rather look stupid here then send the wrong crap to the printer.

Firebat138

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Re: Need help prepping art for die cut.
« Reply #1 on: February 23, 2021, 01:32:29 pm »
Yes, Add an outline and label it CUT LINE on the outside of the cut in several places
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thomas_surles

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Re: Need help prepping art for die cut.
« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2021, 11:39:21 pm »
Yes, Add an outline and label it CUT LINE on the outside of the cut in several places

Ah thank you. Now to figure out how to draw the shape I want

jennifer

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Re: Need help prepping art for die cut.
« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2021, 12:06:17 am »
What you got there would work create a mask as a cut layer...
« Last Edit: February 26, 2021, 12:09:49 am by jennifer »

Firebat138

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Re: Need help prepping art for die cut.
« Reply #4 on: February 26, 2021, 06:16:42 pm »
oh, you drew the line by hand on the sheet?  if so, take a pic of it, insert the pic in photoshop and size it over your artwork, then create the line, Make sense?
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thomas_surles

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Re: Need help prepping art for die cut.
« Reply #5 on: February 27, 2021, 05:43:06 pm »
oh, you drew the line by hand on the sheet?  if so, take a pic of it, insert the pic in photoshop and size it over your artwork, then create the line, Make sense?

No thats the example of what I want I found online. I just have the photoshop file of just the art. No cut line

Firebat138

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Re: Need help prepping art for die cut.
« Reply #6 on: February 28, 2021, 09:59:28 am »
If you had AutoCAD you could import the jpeg and then draw the lines and curves perfectly around it then export that LINEWORK to an EPS file and then import over top your Photoshop file.
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thomas_surles

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Re: Need help prepping art for die cut.
« Reply #7 on: February 28, 2021, 12:13:55 pm »
If you had AutoCAD you could import the jpeg and then draw the lines and curves perfectly around it then export that LINEWORK to an EPS file and then import over top your Photoshop file.
Damn haven't touched Autocad since shop class in high-school lol

Unstupid

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Re: Need help prepping art for die cut.
« Reply #8 on: February 28, 2021, 07:50:38 pm »
Just create another layer called “cut” and draw your line on that layer.  I’m sure they’ll be able to figure it out.

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Re: Need help prepping art for die cut.
« Reply #9 on: March 04, 2021, 07:57:24 am »
I agree with Unstupid, print bureaus have seen it all and can likely figure it out. That said... just reach out to them, tell them your file format and ask what their preference is with respect to preparation. They'll give you an answer that provides the best result.
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Re: Need help prepping art for die cut.
« Reply #10 on: March 22, 2021, 04:00:30 pm »
Hey, I'm new to the forum but just saw this post.  Did you put together an outline yet?  If you have access to Illustrator its pretty easy there.  You can use the pen tool or the shape tool to make paths and join the points together.  I make a TON of decals at my job.  Just make sure to send it to them as a .eps or .ai (or something vector based)  if you send them a photoshop file or a jpg, even high res.  They have to retrace the cut path to make it work and your mileage may vary.