BusiCutLine

Step 1Drop in the artwork with a transparent background: a PNG whose surroundings are really empty, not white. The tool follows the edge of what is actually there. If the background is white instead of transparent, the cut line ends up around the whole rectangle, and that is almost never what you meant.

Step 2Set how far the cut line sits outside the artwork. For a sticker roughly one to two millimetres is normal: that little rim is what makes the print survive a cutting machine that drifts. Set it to zero and the smallest deviation eats into your design.

Step 3Then how closely the line should follow the shape. A cutting machine has to steer through every corner, so a line with thousands of points cuts slowly and shakes. Simplify until the shape is still recognisable but the line runs smoothly: fewer points is not sloppier here, it cuts better.

Step 4Last the check and the PDF. The cut line goes out as a spot colour called CutContour, set to overprint, because that is what the printer's cutting software looks for. Any other name and the machine treats it as ink and prints the line instead of cutting along it.

Step 5The price works itself out while you design. You can change the rates yourself.

Step 6Download the print-ready PDF.

Step 7Pro members unlock the tool once through the shop. After that it works offline too.

Step 8Put your own prices and payment details in the shop, and share your shop link with customers.

Step 9Done, or something went wrong? Open the dashboard and start over with a clean sheet.