Impressions - August 2020 - 42

think.
HEAT PRINTING

make.

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at impressionsmag.com/digitaldecorating.

do.

Creating Artwork
for Vinyl Cutting
Use these tips to design graphics that have been
optimally set up for cutting and weeding.
BY DANE CLEMENT, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

If you want to offer cuttable graphics applications, you need
to know how to create and set up artwork the proper way.
This will make it easier to cut, weed and apply the art, while
also speeding up production time. After all, time is money so
quicker production means more profit for you.
When it comes to vinyl cutting, using clip art may not
always be helpful. Standard clip art isn't set up with cutting
and weeding in mind. It doesn't take into consideration the
number of cavities in a design, whether areas overlap or how
thick lines and spaces may be. These are all things that affect
how quickly and smoothly a design will cut and how easy it
will be to weed. Plus, clip art tends to be more detailed, which
results in a lengthier cutting and weeding time - if these
things can be done at all.
Figure 1

In Figure 1, the design on the left is a simplified, cuttable
image that took a minute and 18 seconds to weed.The design
on the right is a traditional clip art image that took 6 minutes
and 12 seconds to weed.Weeding 25 of these images amounts
to a little more than 30 minutes vs. 2.5 hours.Therefore, using
artwork that has been set up specifically for cutting is highly
advantageous.
Sometimes, standard clip art that is not too detailed can be
manipulated or modified to make it cuttable. Line and spacing
thicknesses can be adjusted; shapes can be removed; and gaps
can be added to the lines to help reduce the number of cavities.
Shapes can be knocked out or merged to make the design cut
properly and weed faster. It all depends on the complexity of
the original clip art design (see Figure 2).
Line & Spacing Thickness
One of the main things to consider when
creating artwork for vinyl cutting is the
size and thickness of the lines and spaces, or cavities. I generally recommend
1/16-inch as the minimum line or space
thickness. However, some factors may
allow you to use a smaller size, or require
a larger line thickness and spacing.
To check the thickness, create a small
dot that is the size of the measurement you
wish to use. Color it with a bright color
so that it stands out from your artwork,
and move it around your design over lines
and spaces. If an area is smaller than the
dot, then you need to make adjustments
(see Figure 3).
Image size also plays a part in the line
and space thickness. If you start with a
10-inch image, its line and space thickness
may be fine. However, if you prefer a
smaller version for a left-chest placement,
simply reducing the image may not be

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Impressions - August 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - August 2020

Impressions - August 2020
First Impressions
From the Show Director
Overheard
First Look
Expo Scene
Fleece Kicks Off Fall Fashion
Breakdown: Digital Hybrid Printing on a Fleece Hoodie
A Digital Evolution
Customize Caps with a Heat Press
Shop Talk
Embroidery Production
Screen Printing Production
Screen Printing Graphics & Design
Heat Printing
Ad Index/Classifieds
On Design
Impressions - August 2020 - CT1
Impressions - August 2020 - CT2
Impressions - August 2020 - Impressions - August 2020
Impressions - August 2020 - Cover2
Impressions - August 2020 - 1
Impressions - August 2020 - 2
Impressions - August 2020 - 3
Impressions - August 2020 - 4
Impressions - August 2020 - First Impressions
Impressions - August 2020 - From the Show Director
Impressions - August 2020 - 7
Impressions - August 2020 - Overheard
Impressions - August 2020 - 9
Impressions - August 2020 - 10
Impressions - August 2020 - H1
Impressions - August 2020 - H2
Impressions - August 2020 - H3
Impressions - August 2020 - H4
Impressions - August 2020 - H5
Impressions - August 2020 - H6
Impressions - August 2020 - H11
Impressions - August 2020 - H8
Impressions - August 2020 - H9
Impressions - August 2020 - H10
Impressions - August 2020 - H11
Impressions - August 2020 - H12
Impressions - August 2020 - H13
Impressions - August 2020 - H14
Impressions - August 2020 - H15
Impressions - August 2020 - H16
Impressions - August 2020 - 11
Impressions - August 2020 - 11A
Impressions - August 2020 - 11B
Impressions - August 2020 - First Look
Impressions - August 2020 - 13
Impressions - August 2020 - Expo Scene
Impressions - August 2020 - 15
Impressions - August 2020 - Fleece Kicks Off Fall Fashion
Impressions - August 2020 - 17
Impressions - August 2020 - 18
Impressions - August 2020 - 19
Impressions - August 2020 - Breakdown: Digital Hybrid Printing on a Fleece Hoodie
Impressions - August 2020 - 21
Impressions - August 2020 - A Digital Evolution
Impressions - August 2020 - 23
Impressions - August 2020 - 24
Impressions - August 2020 - 25
Impressions - August 2020 - Customize Caps with a Heat Press
Impressions - August 2020 - 27
Impressions - August 2020 - 28
Impressions - August 2020 - 29
Impressions - August 2020 - Shop Talk
Impressions - August 2020 - 31
Impressions - August 2020 - Embroidery Production
Impressions - August 2020 - 33
Impressions - August 2020 - 34
Impressions - August 2020 - 35
Impressions - August 2020 - Screen Printing Production
Impressions - August 2020 - 37
Impressions - August 2020 - 38
Impressions - August 2020 - 39
Impressions - August 2020 - Screen Printing Graphics & Design
Impressions - August 2020 - 41
Impressions - August 2020 - Heat Printing
Impressions - August 2020 - 43
Impressions - August 2020 - 44
Impressions - August 2020 - 45
Impressions - August 2020 - 46
Impressions - August 2020 - Ad Index/Classifieds
Impressions - August 2020 - On Design
Impressions - August 2020 - Cover3
Impressions - August 2020 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20240102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202312
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20231011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230506
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202304
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202303
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20221011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220506
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20211011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/DigitalDecorator_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20210809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/teamactivewear_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/imp_0421_digital
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20210102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_fall2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nxtbook_bhtest/impwessons
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2020fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20200607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20190607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20170607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20160607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20150607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20140607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sportsfanretailer_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20131011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20130607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20121011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2012fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20120809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20120607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2012spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20111011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20110809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2011fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20110607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2011spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sourcebook2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20101112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20100910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2010fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20100708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2010winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_200909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_eco_2009fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2009fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20091112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sourcebook_200906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201001
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com