Custom Shape Cutline Artwork Guide
Custom-shaped products help artwork stand out beyond standard square and rectangular formats. To produce them accurately, we need a custom cutline that shows exactly where the finished shape should be cut. This guide explains how to create, check and supply your cutline-ready artwork.
1. What Is a Custom Cutter?
A custom cutter, also known as a cutline, defines the finished shape of artwork that is not square or rectangular.
For the best result, supply a separate cutline file with your artwork. Where available, our proofing tool may automatically detect a simple outline, but you should review the generated cutline carefully before approving your proof.
2. Products That Require a Custom Cutline
A separate cutline is required for:
• Custom Shape Signs
• Custom Shape Flyers
• Custom Shape Stickers and Labels on Reels
• Custom Shape Stickers and Labels on Sheets
• Decals
• Window Clings & Stickers
When ordering, ensure your artwork fits within the selected product dimensions and finished size.
3. Shape Guideline
Simple, rounded shapes produce the cleanest result.
• Use rounded corners and smooth curves where possible.
• Avoid sharp points and narrow sections.
• If sharp points are essential, warn your customer that they may be more likely to tear or bend.
• Widen narrow inward sections of the shape. This is particularly important for stickers, which may tear when removed from the sheet or reel.
Complex shapes should be created manually in Adobe Illustrator or equivalent vector software.
4. Create the Cutline in Adobe Illustrator
Set Up Your File:
1. Create an artboard at the finished trim size, including 3mm bleed on all edges.
2. Position the artwork at the required size within the artboard.
3. Create a new layer named Cutline.
4. Lock the artwork layer and work only on the Cutline layer.
Create a Vector Outline:
If your artwork is already vector-based, use the vector shape as the starting point.
If your artwork is a raster image, such as a JPEG or PNG:
1. Select the image.
2. Choose Object > Image Trace > Make and Expand.
3. Use Pathfinder > Merge, then Unite, to create solid vector shapes.
4. Remove any unnecessary clipping masks or unwanted paths.
Set the finished cutline to the required trim size. Do not stretch or distort the shape.
Build the Cutline:
1. Select the vector shape.
2. Choose Object > Path > Offset Path.
3. Set the offset to 3mm and select Round joins.
4. Use Pathfinder > Merge, then Unite, to create one clean outer shape.
5. Remove any unwanted inner paths so that only the outer outline remains.
6. Set the outline to stroke only with no fill.
7. Apply a 1pt stroke using a new process-colour swatch named Cutline:
- C:0%
- M:100%
- Y: 0%
- K: 0%
Do not create the Cutline swatch as a spot colour.
5. Check Your Cutline
Before exporting, check that:
• The cutline is a single, continuous vector path.
• The cutline follows the required finished shape.
• There are no sharp points, extremely narrow areas or unwanted inner cut paths.
• The cutline sits in the correct position over the artwork.
• The artwork extends at least 3mm beyond the cutline to provide bleed.
For manual proofing, supply the cutline as a separate PDF where possible. Our Studio Team can position it over the main artwork.
Export your files as PDFs with bleed enabled.