Published
To prepare an Epson print job for contour cutting, create a closed vector path in Illustrator and preserve it as a named spot-colour stroke in the exported file. The RIP and the separate or paired cutter use that vector path and their registration system to complete the print-and-cut workflow.
Understand where the cutting happens
An Epson printer produces the print. The cut is commonly completed by a separate cutter controlled through ONYX, Caldera, another production RIP, or the cutter's own software. Epson Edge Print supports professional PDF and spot colour workflows, but the active RIP/cutter combination determines the contour name and registration process.
Start by checking the contour prefix configured in that production software. CutContour is a common convention and is the spot-colour name CreateCutline produces.
Manual Epson print-and-cut preparation
- Create one closed vector contour around the complete sticker.
- Add the required offset for the border or inside cut.
- Remove extra holes and overlapping cut objects.
- Put the path on a separate layer.
- Apply the named spot-colour stroke expected by the RIP.
- Export a PDF or EPS that preserves spot and vector data.
- Map the contour to the paired cutter in the RIP.
- Add registration marks, print, load the media, and run mark detection.
Create the contour with CreateCutline
Select the artwork in Illustrator and press Create Cutline. The plug-in creates one closed vector path on a top-level Cutline layer, with a CutContour spot-colour stroke. It can work from vector or placed raster artwork and does not change the source.
Continue in the Epson/RIP/cutter workflow to add marks and production settings. CreateCutline does not create the cutter's registration marks or select its force and speed.
Check the Epson job
- Confirm that the exported PDF still contains the named spot colour.
- Verify the RIP displays the contour as cutting data.
- Make sure the cut path is not included in printable separations.
- Add the marks required by the actual cutter.
- Confirm the print has not been scaled after marks were created.
- Test alignment and force on the production media.
Epson cutline questions
Does Epson Edge Print send the cut to every cutter?
The exact handoff depends on the equipment and RIP configuration. The reusable part is the closed vector contour; registration and output are handled by the configured production system.
Can a raster image have a cutline?
Yes. The printed image can be raster, while CreateCutline generates a separate vector cutting path around it.
Why does the cutter ignore the line?
Check whether the path remained vector and whether the named spot colour is mapped to the cutter in the RIP.
Build the Illustrator contour automatically
CreateCutline costs $20 once and includes a seven-day free trial.
Workflow references
CreateCutline is independent software and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Epson, ONYX, or Adobe.