VINYL CUTTER

20 minute read

ENJOY READING !

Introduction

When trying to understand a vinyl cutter and how
it works, the best way to imagine it is to think of a
traditional printer. The printer receives data about
imagines from another source, usually a
computer, and then uses this to print images onto
a bit of paper.
This is like how a vinyl cutter works, only rather
than printing an image it relies on small blades to
cut the pattern of the image into the vinyl or other
material.
The first instance of a vinyl cutter was invented in
1888 when a Canadian inventor devised the
machine that could cut through fabric. This
machine was mounted onto a motor which was
then mounted on a platform which would serve as
the base for cutting.
Although bulky and difficult to operate, this
invention began the long line of cutting machines
that eventually led to the compact and efficient
variation we know today in home workshops
around the world.
Although traditionally owned and operated by
those in the sign making industry, vinyl cutters
are now more popular with those who enjoy arts
and crafts at home.
Because they are so versatile in what they can do
and allow for an aspect of creative freedom,
they’re now commonly found in home workshops
as they work well with a range of mediums and
are easy to operate.
There are different sizes and scales depending
on the type of work they’re used for, ranging from
compact desktop cutting machines to larger scale
professional grade devices used in workshops.
One of the reasons vinyl cutters have enjoyed
such huge success in both home and
professional workshops is due to the variety of
materials they can work with. Even the most
basic home desktop vinyl cutters can achieve
quite a lot, and they are an integral part in
producing many different types of arts and crafts
projects.

• Iron on transfers – with a vinyl cutter, you’re
  able to design your own logos and patterns which
  can be cut into iron on transfers and then placed
  onto clothing.
• Stickers – creating your own stickers with a vinyl
  cutter means you can personalize the design and
  print them as large or as small as your machine
  will allow.
• Signs – although commonly used for sign printing
  businesses, it is possible for the home hobbyist to
  cut through vinyl and other adhesives to create
  signs for windows, walls, and other surfaces.
• Magnets – a quality vinyl cutter will allow you to
  make refrigerator magnets for your home or
  business, and you can individualize each one that
  you create.
• Clothing and accessories – when cutting into
  the fabric, you’re able to create a pattern for
  sewing or making clothing and accessories like
  bags and hats.
• Cards and stationery – making your own
  stationery is easy with a vinyl cutter and is ideal
  for cutting on cardstock, paper, and other light
  materials too.
  In terms of professional grade vinyl cutters, these
  are commonly found in any industry that uses a
  sign printer. When buying a vinyl cutter for a
  larger scale use like this, there may be different
  specifications and features that you would deem
  important.

How Does A Vinyl Cutter Work?

Although there are hundreds of different makes
and models of vinyl cutters, they all operate in the
same basic way. A vinyl cutter is made of a
computer system and a small blade, with the
computer dictating to the knife where to cut.
The material is fed into the device on the cutting
platform, and this is where the cut is performed.
Once done, the excess material is weeded or

removed, and the final image is printed. Designs
can either be programmed into the cutter or
uploaded using specialized software created for
the machine.
If you’ve never used a vinyl cutter before, there
are just a few simple steps to do so. For
beginners, it’s best to start with a simple project
such as making a sticker. Keep in mind, though,
that you should always refer to the owner’s
manual which comes with your vinyl cutter for
more accurate directions.
Find an image that you want to use as a sticker,
by either using the pre-programmed designs that
come with your vinyl cutter or creating your own.
Images can be made on several programs,
depending on what’s compatible with your
machine, and then saved as a JPEG file for
printing.
Open the software which came with your cutter
and import the image you’ve created. Make the
required changes to get it to the right size and
remove anything you don’t wish to print.

Load the vinyl you will use to cut into the
machine, being sure to insert it in line with
anything sensors that the vinyl cutter has. This is
to ensure its aligned correctly and will print the
right way. Press the rollers down onto the vinyl so
they have a firm grip on it, and check everything
is lined up by looking at the system’s display.
Once everything is ready to go, you can press the
‘cut’ button or corresponding button depending on
your machine. The cutter should move from side
to side and the vinyl will move back and forth,
indicating that it’s working. Once done, move the
vinyl carefully out of the machine and your design
will be ready to go.

Each machine will have their own set of
instructions for how to get the best use out of it,
however, most desktop vinyl cutters work this
way.

Once you get the hang of how to achieve
the best results, it will take no time at all to feed
through the vinyl and other materials and get the
perfect cut.

Important Specs And Features

If you’ve never shopped around for a vinyl cutter
before, it may be quite overwhelming when you
finally do. There are hundreds of different makes
and models available, and all with their own
unique pros and cons to the user.

1. Size: There are two things to consider with the
   size of your vinyl cutter to see which is right for
   you. Firstly, the size of the machine itself will be
   determined by how much space your home
   workshop has. Secondly, the size of the cutting
   area means how much material you can feed into
   it. For larger jobs, you’ll want a device that can
   work with around 25” or more.
2. Speed: The speed of a cutter determines how
   fast it can cut, and this is usually measured in
   millimeters per second. However, the speed of
   
   the cut is not a determination on how precise it is,
   so don’t consider this the most important feature
   when shopping around.
3. Memory: The memory of the vinyl cutter’s
   computer is responsible for storing past designs,
   and sometimes holding the pre-programmed
   patterns and designs that the manufacturer
   uploaded. These devices can often connect with
   a computer which can store the important details,
   so it’s not always important.
4. Blade Force Or Pressure: The force and
   pressure of the blade are important for
   determining how precise the cut will be, and the
   types of materials it works with. For home use,
   the force isn’t as crucial as it would be for a
   professional workshop cutter which is being used
   all day and for bulk projects.
5. Cutting Capabilities: The capabilities of a vinyl
   cutter refer to the different materials and surface
   it works with. Although called a vinyl cutter, these
   machines are designed to cut through things like
   fabric, tint, transfer material, cardstock, and
   paper. However, always refer to the manual of
   your specific machine to see what it works with
   best.
6. Optic Eye: This is a laser pointing device that
   allows your machine to contour cut. Contour
   cutting is ideal for use with materials such as iron
   on transfers, as it allows you to cut away the
   excess and just leave you with what’s needed for
   your design. This can give up to 0.1mm of
   accuracy which makes it the most precise cut
   available.
7. Scanner: Not every vinyl cutter comes with a
   scanner inbuilt, however, most modern ones do.
   This enables you to create a drawing which is
   then scanned into the machine, and then used to
   cut into the material of your choice. Scanners are
   measured in terms of DPI which indicates how
   high the resolution will be.
   Ultimately, finding the best vinyl cutter for your
   home workshop will depend greatly on the type of
   projects you’ll be using it for. Someone who
   makes signs and stickers professionally will have
   different needs to someone who creates iron on
   transfers for fun, so you should have a good idea
   of your own requirements before you even begin
   looking around.

USES OF A VINYL CUTTER

1. Labels and Stickers: You can create
   physical numbers or time labels, labels for
   materials, supplies, and experiments, or even
   glow in the dark safety labels.
2. Electronics: You can create acid resist
   patterns for your custom PCBs, cut thin foil
   DETAILED DIAGRAM OF A VINYL MACHINE
   traces, PCB layers, and RFF interference
   protection for your paper circuits.
3. Woodworking, Craft, and Painting: You
   can create and place trim markers on plywood,
   MDF, acrylic, or hardwoods on-site, create edge
   boundaries and resist patterns for painting,
   staining, and coating, and prepare stencil vinyls
   and plastic sheets suited to the specific water based or solvent-based paints you will be using.
4. Paper Engineering: You can cut, crease,
   score, and perforate papers, cardstocks, and thin
   plastics to create elaborate kirigami, origami, and
   other paper craft projects.
5. Signs and Banners: You can create signs
   and banners with a vinyl cutter.
6. T-shirt Designs: A vinyl cutter is a great
   tool for creating custom t-shirt designs.
7. Wall Art: Vinyl cutters can be used to
   create beautiful wall art that is both functional and
   stylish.
8. Vinyl Mugs and Tumblers: You can use a
   vinyl cutter to create designs on mugs and
   tumblers.

MAINTENANCE FOR YOUR VINYL CUTTER

As a powerful machine that you’ve invested
money and time purchasing, you want to be sure
you’re caring for your vinyl cutter the best you
can.
Although most of them are covered by a
generous warranty, there are some things you
can do to ensure you get the most life out of them
and that they stay operating to the best of their
ability.

1. Skipping Cuts & Perforated Lines: If you
   notice errors in your cutting lines or if it seems
   like the blade is skipping along your HTV leaving
   your cut lines looking perforated, it might be time
   to replace your cutter protection strip1
2. Check the Cutter Protection Strip: The
   strip, located across the length of the machine
   where the blade cuts, protects the blade and
   allows for a smooth pivot when cutting1
   . Regularly
   check this strip for any gashes, gaps, or divots.
3. Shallow or Deep Cuts: If you’re cutting
   through the vinyl carrier even with proper force, or
   if you see faint or missing cut lines completely,
   make sure you have the blade depth set to a
   specific standard. The blade should never extend
   more than the width of a credit card below the
   blade holder.
4. Consistent Blade Depth: Keeping the blade
   depth consistent is important to protect your
   blade and ensure complete cuts.
5. Rounded Corners: If you’re seeing rounded
   cut corners rather than sharp, crisp edges, it
   might be time to adjust the offset. The offset is
   how the machine balances itself depending on
   what blade you are using.
6. Preventive Measures: Keeping dirt off the
   Vinyl Flooring is easier and less expensive than
   removing it.
7. Regular Vacuuming: This is the most
   important part of a successful maintenance
   program.
8. Spill and Spot Cleaning: Spots are
   inevitable, but they don’t have to be permanent.
   Remove a spill quickly and there is less chance it
   will become a stain.
9. Periodic Cleaning: Scheduled periodic
   cleaning helps the Vinyl Flooring retain
   appearance and improves performance.
10. Deep Cleaning: Seasonality can influence
    the amount of cleaning required. Deep cleaning
    will remove heavy soiling from within the emboss
    structure and/or joints of the Vinyl Flooring.
11. Use of Rotary Flooring Machines: If using a
    scrubbing machine, use only a slow speed (175
    RPM) machine. Do not dry buff vinyl floors
    without the use of a suitable finish coat.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN WHEN
USING A VINYL CUTTER

1. Handle with Care: The device requires
   installation and operation of this device requires
   use of sharp blades. Caution should be taken to
   make sure that fingers do not get caught in
   moving gears during operation.
2. Power Management: Disconnect power
   during assembly, service, and maintenance.
3. Avoid Static Build-up: Vinyl cutters are
   subject to static build-up. Use of anti-static
   devices including mats and anti-static vinyl
   systems may be required in some environments.
4. Supervise Children: This vinyl cutter is not a
   toy and should not be used by children without
   supervision.
5. Avoid Magnetic Objects: Do not place any
   magnetic objects in the vicinity of the cutting
   head.
6. Manage Cables: Cables (mains power and
   USB) could be a trip hazard for the operator or
   those walking past the machine.
7. Avoid Injury: Never reach into the unit in the
   vicinity of the blade holder during the cutting
   operation. Discontinue any printing jobs in
   progress before readjusting the blade holder.
8. Proper Storage: Always place the unit on a
   stable base to prevent it from falling down.
9. Weather Conditions: Do not operate the unit
   during thunderstorms; it can be damaged or
   destroyed by lightning.
10. First Aid Kit: Ensure that a first aid kit is
    available for minor cutting injuries.
11. Stable Workpiece: Ensure the item/object
    being cut is stable to minimize the chances of
    slipping.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

PART A:

CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER
FROM THE OPTIONS.

1. What is a vinyl cutter similar to in its
   operation?
   A) A sewing mach
   B) A traditional printer
   C) A typewriter
   D) A photocopier
2. What does a vinyl cutter use to cut
   patterns into materials?
   A) Lasers
   B) Heat
   C) Small blades
   D) Ink
3. When was the first instance of a vinyl
   cutter invented?
   A) 1888
   B) 1901
   C) 1923
   D) 1955
4. Who traditionally owned and operated
   vinyl cutters?
   A) Artists
   B) Sign makers
   C) Tailors
   D) Carpenters
5. What is one reason vinyl cutters are
   popular in home workshops?
   A) They are inexpensive
   B) They work well with a range of mediums
   21
   C) They are easy to clean
   D) They require little maintenance
6. What can a basic home desktop vinyl
   cutter achieve?
   A) Iron on transfers
   B) Stickers
   C) Signs
   D) All of the above
7. What is a vinyl cutter made of?
   A) A computer system and a small blade
   B) A large blade and a motor
   C) A scanner and a printer
   D) A laser and a cutting platform
8. What happens after the material is cut in
   a vinyl cutter?
   A) The excess material is weeded
   B) The material is heated
   C) The material is laminated
   D) The material is scanned
9. What is one thing to consider when
   shopping for a vinyl cutter?
   A) The color of the machine
   B) The size of the machine
   C) The weight of the machine
   D) The brand of the machine
10. What determines how fast a cutter can
    cut?
    A) The size of the machine
    B) The speed of the cutter
    C) The type of material being cut
    D) The sharpness of the blade
11. What is the memory of the vinyl cutter’s
    computer responsible for?
    A) Storing past designs
    B) Controlling the speed of the cutter
    C) Determining the size of the cut
    D) Powering the machine
12. What are the cutting capabilities of a
    vinyl cutter?
    A) Cutting through fabric
    B) Cutting through metal and wood
    C) Cutting through glass and ceramic
    D) Cutting through leather and rubber
13. What is an optic eye in a vinyl cutter?
    A) A device that measures the material’s
    size
    B) A device that controls cutter’s speed
    C) A device that allows for contour cutting
    D) A device that scans the material
14. What does a scanner in a vinyl cutter
    do?
    A) It scans the material after cutting
    B) It scans a drawing
    C) It scans the blade
    D) It scans the machine for malfunctions.
15. What is one project a beginner can start
    with when using a vinyl cutter?
    A) Making a sticker
    B) Creating a sign
    25
    C) Designing a logo
    D) Cutting fabric for clothing
16. What is one way to find an image to use
    as a sticker with a vinyl cutter?
    A) Using the pre-programmed designs
    B) Drawing the image by hand
    C) Taking a photograph
    D) Downloading an image from the internet
17. What should you do before pressing the
    ‘cut’ button on your vinyl cutter?
    A) Check everything is lined up.
    B) Clean the machine.
    C) Replace the blade.
    D) Turn off the machine.
18. What is one thing you should always
    refer to when using a vinyl cutter?
    A) The owner’s manual
    B) The warranty card
    C) The user reviews
    D) The product brochure
19. What is one feature that may be
    important when buying a vinyl cutter for
    larger scale use?
    A) The color of the machine
    B) The brand of the machine
    C) Different specifications and features
    D) The weight of the machine
20. What does the size of the cutting area in
    a vinyl cutter mean?
    A) How much space the machine takes up
    B) How much material you can feed into it
    C) How large the machine is
    D) How heavy the machine is.

PART B:

FILL THE GAP WITH THE
APPROPRIATE ANSWER.

21. A vinyl cutter can be used to create
    physical numbers or time labels, labels for
    materials, supplies, and experiments, or
    even ___________.
22. In electronics, a vinyl cutter can create
    acid resist patterns for your custom
    ____________, cut thin foil traces, PCB layers,
    and RFF interference protection for your
    paper circuits.
23. A vinyl cutter can create and place trim
    markers on ___________, MDF, acrylic, or
    hardwoods on-site.
    
24. With a vinyl cutter, you can cut, crease,
    score, and perforate papers, cardstocks,
    and thin plastics to create elaborate
    _____________, origami, and other paper craft
    projects.
25. A vinyl cutter is a great tool for creating
    custom ______________designs.
26. Vinyl cutters can be used to create
    beautiful ______________ that is both functional and
    stylish.
27. You can use a vinyl cutter to create
    designs on mugs and ___________.
28. If you notice errors in your cutting lines
    or if it seems like the blade is skipping along
    your HTV leaving your cut lines looking
    perforated, it might be time to replace your
    ______________.
29. The blade should never extend more
    than the width of a __________below the blade
    holder.
30. If you’re seeing rounded cut corners
    rather than sharp, crisp edges, it might be
    time to adjust the ____________.
31. Keeping dirt off the Vinyl Flooring is
    easier and less expensive than ___________.
32. Spots are inevitable, but they don’t have
    to be permanent. Remove a spill quickly
    and there is less chance it will become a
    ______________.
33. Deep cleaning will remove heavy soiling
    from within the emboss structure and/or
    joints of the ______________.
34. If using a scrubbing machine, use only a
    slow speed (_____________ RPM) machine.
35. The device requires installation and
    operation of this device requires use of
    _____________.
36. Vinyl cutters are subject to static buildup. Use of anti-static devices including mats
    and anti-static vinyl systems may be
    required in some ______________.
37. Do not place any ___________objects in the
    vicinity of the cutting head.
38. Cables (mains power and USB) could
    be a ___________hazard for the operator or
    those walking past the machine.
39. Always place the unit on a stable
    _____________to prevent it from falling down.
40. Ensure that a first aid kit is available for
    minor ____________injuries.

MENTION THREE SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN WHEN
USING A VINYL CUTTER MACHINE.

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PART C:

FIND THE MISSING PARTS IN THE
DIAGRAM

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INSTRUCTORS COPY

ANSWERS TO PART B

21. GLOW IN THE DARK SAFETY LABELS
22. PCBS
23. PLYWOOD
24. KIRIGAMI
25. T-SHIRT
26. WALL ART
27. TUMBLERS
28. CUTTER PROTECTION STRIP
29. CREDIT CARD
30. OFFSET
31. REMOVING IT.
32. STAIN.
33. VINYL FLOORING
34. 175
35. SHARP BLADES
36. ENVIRONMENTS
37. MAGNETIC
38. TRIP
39. BASE
40. CUTTING.
41. HANDLE WITH CARE
42. POWER MANAGEMENT .
43. AVOID STATIC BUILD-UP

ANSWER TO PART C

44. LED
45. LIMIT SWITCH
46. MOBILE TURNING TOOL
47. TOOL APRON
48. RUNNING IN WHEEL
49. SWITCH
50. LIMB.