High-Volume Production Made Easy with VersaWorks
Written by Roland DGA
Ever run into the limit of 250 copies in VersaWorks? This little obstacle can be easily overcome by adding the same job twice to Queue A or Queue B and nesting both instances of the same job. Once nested, double-click on the “Nest” and enter 250 copies for each instance (of the same file) in the queue. You now have 500 copies of the same object. It’s that simple!
Simplifying Files with Multiple Cutting Paths
Written by Roland DGA
Dealing with files that have multiple paths doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Try using the “Mark the Paths” function to only select the vectors you want to cut. This way the graphics can have as many vectors as necessary, but you will only be cutting the lines you select. The “Mark the Paths” button is represented by a red checkbox and the proper selection from the drop down menu is “Output Marked Lines. See the detailed video: Using the CutStudio plugin with Adobe Illustrator.
Before the “Mark the Paths” function is selected, all vectors are designated to be cut.
The “Mark the Paths” function allows you to only cut the vectors that you select.
Great Accessories to Keep Your GX Clean
Written by Roland DGA
As a GX-24 or GX Pro owner, you may keep your machine in a shop or warehouse environment where the dirt can accumulate pretty fast. Aside from the “ick” factor, a dirty environment can build up static, affecting cut quality. The perfect solution for the mess? A catch basket to protect the graphics and a machine cover to protect the technology! These affordable accessories, made from durable thick nylon materials and powder coated steel for long life, will keep dirt away from the machine that drives your business. Purchase these and other GX accessories from your authorized reseller or directly from the Roland DGA Store.
Machine Cover & Catch Basket for GX Cutters
Three Simple Steps for Managing Multiple Gradients
Written by Roland DGA
Multiple gradients placed inside multiple, compound clipping paths (Picture A) can be difficult to cut.
To ease the process, many people simply make a duplicate of the compound paths, using the CutContour VersaWorks™ spot color as the outline, and then move it to a layer above. However, this solution does not always work, especially for complicated files with many different objects. So save yourself the frustration, and possible registration issues, by following these three simple steps:
1. Click the small down arrows inside the “Layers” tab to expand your layers objects and groups, then toggle off the visibility of the images that have been placed in the clipping path. Now only the compound paths will remain visible on the screen. (Picture 1)
2. Select, and then Shift/Select all of the compound clipping paths you want to contour cut around.
3. With the outline from your toolbar selected, choose the CutContour VersaWorks spot colors swatch (Picture 3). Toggle your visibility back on for your images and you are ready to send the file to be printed and cut (Picture B).
How to View Curved Text and Other Effects in CutStudio
Written by Roland DGA
Curved text is a must have when doing sports or any other type of apparel appliqués. So if your text effects in Adobe® Illustrator®, such as curves, are not properly displaying in the CutStudio plug-in window, try “expanding” the text to get the desired effect. This can be done by highlighting the graphic and choosing “Object/Expand” or “Object/Expand Appearance” in order to turn the text into vector lines that can be understood by the CutStudio software plug-in. This works with just about any effect that does not register in the plug-in window. Once it displays correctly, all that is left is to output the job to the cutter!
Select the CustomCUT in VersaWorks for Letter Perfect Registration
Written by Roland DGA
Have you ever wondered if there was a way to improve registration of printing and cutting when producing small decals? Well, it turns out that there is. It’s a bit hidden in VersaWorks™ , but with CustomCUT, you are able to setup segments between printing and cutting that improve registration, especially when dealing with small objects in high quantities.
To use it, simply select CustomCUT from the Media Settings dropdown. Once selected, introduce a break at regular intervals in [H] Height (or length) direction of the roll. For example: 5-inch diameter decals with a 10.25-inch break would result in the printer/cutter printing two rows of 5-inch decals, and then going back to cut the two rows before continuing on to print the next rows. Sounds complicated, but really it isn’t…simply try it for yourself and you will be amazed at the outcome!
