This guide will walk you through how to complete a print and cut job. This guide is intended for new or novice users of the software. This guide assumes you've already set up your printer and your cutter. For assistance on that, read: Adding New Printers and Cutters.
This guide assumes a basic set up of a printer and a cutter without using barcodes.
Step 1: Create or Import your Artwork
- Using the various design tools in Flexi, design and create your artwork. Here are a few basic tools to get you started:
- Using the Import function, import existing artwork into Flexi Design.
-
File > Import... Or click the Import icon:
- Locate an art file and click Import.
- Further reading:
- Understanding Vectors and Bitmaps
- Importing Files
- "File Types" in: Exporting Files and File Types
- Typically, Vector artwork or contours are saved as .pdf, .ai, .fs, .dxf, and more.
- .jpg, .png, .bmp, .tga, and .tiff are bitmaps, not vectors.
-
File > Import... Or click the Import icon:
Step 2: Place contour cut lines
- Select the artwork you want to print and cut. Ensure it's a vector image or a bitmap with a transparent background. (Understanding Vectors and Bitmaps)
- Apply the Contour Cut. Effects > Contour Cut...
- Edit the cut parameters, including margin between the edge of the art and the cut line
- Select With Holes if you want to cut the holes inside the image.
- Click the green check mark to apply.
Step 3: Prepare your Print and Cut Job
- Click the RIP and Print button:
- Arrange your cut job on the media
- Select the width of your Media from the drop down. If available, you can click the button to the right of the dropdown and it will automatically pull the width from your printer. Not all devices support this feature. (Note: it is okay if the length is extremely long, the device won't go past the print job)
- Set the size of the margins to limit where the art will be printed on the media.
- Enter the distance from the margins from step 2 to arrange the artwork on the print.
3a: You can also click and drag the art to place it where you want. - Select how large you want the artwork to be.
- Choose how many copies you want to print, and then enter the margin between each copy.
Step 4: Confirm Cut Job Settings
- Select the Cut Tab in RIP and Print (only available if you've applied a Contour Cut to the artwork.)
- Ensure your cutter is selected.
- Confirm "Send:" is set to "As Separate Jobs."
- Set the size of the material. Most of the time you don't need to worry about this, as long as the printed media will fit in your cutter.
- Confirm you have registration marks set. Flexi usually pulls the correct ones automatically. You can see a preview of these on the Preview pane.
- Confirm the colors of your Contour Cuts are listed here. (just one in this demonstration.)
- Click Send.
Step 5: Printing and Cutting your job
- Production Manager will send your print job to the printer. Wait for it to print.
- The Cut Job will be held in the queue until it is ready to be sent.
- Once the print job is done, set up the printed job on the cutter and prepare the sensor to read the bottom right registration mark (for most cutters). Please reach out to your dealer or cutter manufacturer if you need assistance with that process.
- Select the job, then click "Send" in Production Manager. The Cutter will now read the registration marks and cut out the job.
If you find your cuts are inaccurate, you will need to run a calibration on your cutter. Contact your dealer or cutter manufacturer for more information.
If you print it out and you are not satisfied with the color of you, you will need to apply or change your color profile. Read Color Profiles / ICC Profiles for more information. If you are unsure of the color quality you will get, it is recommended you reduce the size of the print if you want to run a test print to ensure good color quality.
Further reading:
Understanding Vectors and Bitmaps