Cut Contour On Transfer tape After Weeding

[StaySafeCA 0]

Hi,

I recently purchased a LaserPoint3 with VinylMaster v4.3.

I want to do the following with my cutter: (As I saw this hack on TikTok with Silhouette) 

https://www.tiktok.com/@alyrou9/video/6869421907351981318?lang=en&is_copy_url=0&is_from_webapp=v2&sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6894385313947878918

• Create a contoured design 
• Place the vinyl on cutting mat 
• Load the mat and send to cut
• Leave the vinyl on the mat and weed the design
• Cover the weeded design with transfer tape and cut the contour through

Is this possible on VinylMaster v4.3? or any software utilizing the LaserPoint3?

Look forward to a reply

[haumana 1,220]

Thank you for taking the time to register for this forum. I would encourage you to just make one post and put it in the appropriate bulletin board, posting the same request in multiple bulletin boards will not get you a bigger audience, nor will it expedite a potential response - in reality, it would most likely slow any kind of response.

• Yes, you can create a contoured design. It would help if you let us know what version of VM you are using - Cut, LTR, PRO, DSR, or XPT.
   
• If you are using PSV vinyl, you do not need to use a cutting mat, unless your intent it is not only contour cut, but to contour cut all the way through - which isn't really recommended. If you are using HTV vinyl, then you might want to use a carrier sheet, as there are times that the HTV will not properly grip the slick backing of the HTV in a consistent manner, causing slippage.
   
• Loading a carrier sheet is not any different than loading vinyl without one. You still need to properly set your point of origin, and you need to ensure it's aligned to minimize drift. There is inherent slack using a carrier sheet, so you don't need to worry about that, unless it's going to end up hitting something as the machine moves it back and forth through the cut window.
   
• It is entirely up to you whether you weed your design on or off the mat, it would be a personal preference, but if it's PSV, then there really is no need to use a carrier mat int he first place.
   
• By your last bullet point, I'm assuming that you want to contour cut a single color of PSV after it's been weeded and taped. If that's the case, you can give it a try just be aware of a few things - a) you would need to have registration marks for the cutter to line everything up properly, b) your wide swath of app tape might adhere more than you'd like to your carrier sheet that already has some tack to it, c) your cutter wasn't necessarily designed to cut that level of thickness, therefore the amount of drag on the blade might be detrimental to your machine.  

Most of us not bother to contour cut PSV, unless the design happens to be a square/rectangle, or triangle, or something else happens to be convenient as I'm using my straight edge and rotary cutter. Contour cutting is typically used when printing, then cutting.

I'm sure someone else will also have a suggestion or recommendation as well.

[darcshadow 1,626]

agree, you're talking a good bit of extra work and wear/tear on the cutter and knife for no real value added.

[StaySafeCA 0]

10 hours ago, haumana said:

Thank you for taking the time to register for this forum. I would encourage you to just make one post and put it in the appropriate bulletin board, posting the same request in multiple bulletin boards will not get you a bigger audience, nor will it expedite a potential response - in reality, it would most likely slow any kind of response.

• Yes, you can create a contoured design. It would help if you let us know what version of VM you are using - Cut, LTR, PRO, DSR, or XPT.
   
• If you are using PSV vinyl, you do not need to use a cutting mat, unless your intent it is not only contour cut, but to contour cut all the way through - which isn't really recommended. If you are using HTV vinyl, then you might want to use a carrier sheet, as there are times that the HTV will not properly grip the slick backing of the HTV in a consistent manner, causing slippage.
   
• Loading a carrier sheet is not any different than loading vinyl without one. You still need to properly set your point of origin, and you need to ensure it's aligned to minimize drift. There is inherent slack using a carrier sheet, so you don't need to worry about that, unless it's going to end up hitting something as the machine moves it back and forth through the cut window.
   
• It is entirely up to you whether you weed your design on or off the mat, it would be a personal preference, but if it's PSV, then there really is no need to use a carrier mat int he first place.
   
• By your last bullet point, I'm assuming that you want to contour cut a single color of PSV after it's been weeded and taped. If that's the case, you can give it a try just be aware of a few things - a) you would need to have registration marks for the cutter to line everything up properly, b) your wide swath of app tape might adhere more than you'd like to your carrier sheet that already has some tack to it, c) your cutter wasn't necessarily designed to cut that level of thickness, therefore the amount of drag on the blade might be detrimental to your machine.  

Most of us not bother to contour cut PSV, unless the design happens to be a square/rectangle, or triangle, or something else happens to be convenient as I'm using my straight edge and rotary cutter. Contour cutting is typically used when printing, then cutting.

I'm sure someone else will also have a suggestion or recommendation as well.

Hi Haumana, I appreciate the prompt response! Using VM Cut v4.3

How do tell the Cutter to return to the origin point using the registration mark.

So basically you stating that this LaserPoint3 is not ideal for creating retail ready 1-2  color designs, correct? 

Are you recommending to go back to basics and cut, contour and then just mask as a square/circle/triangle?

 

[haumana 1,220]

You can absolutely use any of the cutters to create retail ready decals. I just don't recommend that you use your machine to contour cut the decals after they have been app taped up. There is nothing wrong with just cutting the overall finished product in a square/rectangle, in fact, most decals are sold that way. 

Are you printing then cutting? or just cutting a design straight out of vinyl?

Hereʻs the typical process for a vinyl decal -
cut it on your machine (without a carrier sheet)
remove it from the machine for weeding
weed it
apply application tape
cut into individual pieces

Now, if youʻre doing a 2-color vinyl decal, then thereʻs a few extra steps involved.