We once again find ourselves getting tips from a SignWarehouse Senior Product Support Technician, Leif.
In this article, he outlines how to properly set up a contour-cut job without tearing the media when using a cutter with a proprietary RIP. This is part one of a two-part series
(The instructions below are for using a MUTOH XpertJet C641SR Pre printer and a Graphtec 24" cutter with PrismJET 201 Matte White vinyl.)
Using Flexi or LXi with Production Manager
When printing on a MUTOH printer/cutter using laminate materials, if you are working with "beefier" material or wanting to reload and have time to outgas, you may want to consider cutting with a different cutter than the MUTOH --like a Graphtec.
The information below is what the process looks like with a third-party RIP program as well as Flexi or LXi Design. These instructions are using the MUTOH and the MUTOH Vertilith to run the print and Flexi with the Graphtec to do the cut.
I used Flexi Complete, but you can do this with any Flexi or LXi that has Production Manager.
Steps to Print and Cut
- Go to Effects > Contour Cut (Fig. 1)
- Choose Design Central and adjust for any area you want to preserve (Fig. 2)
- Go back to Effects to add your contour cut mark (Fig. 3)
- Find a mark for the cutter you will be using. There are several options (for MUSE cutters use the SAi Automatic marks that look like corners).
- Choose Graphtec 4 Type 2 (Since I am using a Graphtec cutter) (Fig. 4)
- Choose OK > Apply. With Vertilith, there is a Send to Vertilith button. (Not all proprietary RIP programs have this option.)
- For this print to work every time, go to File then Export and name your graphic. (Fig. 5)
- Selection Only needs to be checked and Suppress Options should be unchecked (Fig. 6)
- When options pop up, make sure to check Include contour cut paths and Scale to Full Size (Fig. 7)
- Go to Vertilith and Add New Job.
- Add the file you saved. The contour cut marks will be included.
- Edit Job and confirm the profile is correct for your vinyl
- Send to Print
- Advance the feed by enough to load the vinyl into the
- Graphtec (I recommend 6") then allow the MUTOH to cut off the media
Figures referenced above:
Figure 1
Figure 2.
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Head over to Part 2 to see how this project turns out
