How to make a cutline in Adobe Illustrator for a Summa cutter

For a Summa contour-cut job, create a closed vector path in Illustrator, assign it to the required kiss-cut or thru-cut method, add OPOS registration marks, and publish the job through GoSign or the shop's Summa workflow. CreateCutline automates the first step: producing the clean outside contour.

How the Summa workflow is organized

Summa GoSign uses production methods, layers, and registration marks. Summa's Illustrator workflow can apply Kiss-cut and Thru-cut spot colours, place the paths on corresponding layers, add OPOS XY or OPOS XY2 marks, and publish the result to PDF.

CreateCutline creates a standard CutContour path. Before output, place or map that path into the Summa method your job requires. Do not assume that a magenta-looking stroke has inherited the correct GoSign method.

Manual Summa cutline workflow

1. Build one closed outside contour around the artwork.
2. Apply the required positive or negative offset.
3. Remove unwanted holes and extra paths.
4. Assign the contour to the Summa kiss-cut or thru-cut layer and spot colour.
5. Use the GoSign Illustrator plug-in to add the required OPOS marks.
6. Publish or save the print and cut data as required by the GoSign setup.
7. Print the job, load it in the cutter, detect the marks, and send the cut.

Create the path with CreateCutline

Select the complete sticker artwork, open CreateCutline, choose the offset, and press Create Cutline. The plug-in adds one closed path on a top-level Cutline layer with a CutContour spot-colour stroke. The original artwork is not changed.

Next, use GoSign to assign the path to Kiss-cut or Thru-cut, add OPOS marks, and publish the production file. CreateCutline does not choose blade pressure, FlexCut settings, registration layout, or material presets.

Check the Summa job

• Confirm that the contour is mapped to the correct method.
• Keep OPOS marks inside the printable area with the required clear space.
• Preserve layers when the GoSign method depends on PDF layer names.
• Check that kiss-cut and thru-cut paths are not accidentally combined.
• Verify the cut-data orientation before loading the printed media.

If the path shape is correct but the cut drifts from the print, investigate OPOS detection, calibration, print scaling, and media distortion rather than redrawing the contour.

Summa cutline questions

Does CreateCutline add OPOS marks?

No. It creates the finished contour. The Summa GoSign tools add OPOS marks and prepare the cutter-specific production data.

Can it create both kiss-cut and thru-cut paths?

CreateCutline creates the outside path. You can duplicate or remap paths for different methods in GoSign, but verify each method before output.

Can it follow a raster logo?

Yes. The source can be a placed image; the generated cutline remains vector.

Create the contour, then map it in GoSign

CreateCutline is a $20 one-time plug-in for Adobe Illustrator, with a full seven-day free trial.

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Official Summa references

• Summa: GoSign print-and-cut workflow with Adobe Illustrator
• Summa: GoSign contour cutting and OPOS registration

CreateCutline is independent software and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Summa or Adobe.