Our i-cut automated digital cutting system relies on vector paths to guide the trimming. This allows you more control in the cutout process because you may provide these paths along with your art. The information below will explain the different ways you can provide such paths, however, realize that the vector path itself has to meet certain standards.
Provided cut paths must be closed paths (all points joined) and be simplified as shown here:
Saving out your art as a PhotoShop file with a clipping path is all you need to know if you want to keep things simple. Although, there is more to the setup as the following info will describe.
The complete approach:
Ultimately an Illustrator legacy file must be created (version 8) with separate layers for the trim path and the registration circles. These circles are 1/4" circles that appear at the outskirts of a trim path with usually 3 or 4 existing. The printed artwork must also contain these circles in the form of a black dot.
1) Artwork setup for printing (PhotoShop)
2) Same artwork with vector paths that can be copied into an Illustrator file
3) Paths as they end up in Illustrator (ready for icut software)
