Support

Cut Path Tool help

Answers to common questions, and how to reach us.

Common questions

What files can I use?

PNG, JPG and PDF. Illustrator (.ai) files work too if they were saved with "Create PDF Compatible File" turned on, which is Illustrator's default. For a PDF with several pages, choose the page from the Artwork section after it opens.

What's in the PDF I download?

An 8.5 × 11 inch PDF with two layers:

• cut (on top): every cut path, combined into one compound path, stroked in a spot color named CutContour (100% magenta, 1 pt, set to overprint). This is the name most print and cut software looks for.
• art: your file, unchanged. PDF artwork stays vector, and images keep their original resolution.

Cutters follow the center of the cut line, so its 1 pt thickness only affects how it looks on screen.

Why does my image come in smaller than I expected?

Images are placed at 300 dpi, the standard for sharp printing. A file that is 1500 pixels wide comes in at 5 inches wide (1500 ÷ 300). To print it bigger, send a larger file, or enlarge it with Move / resize art. The readout at the bottom of the sheet shows the resolution as you resize and turns amber below 300 dpi, where prints start to look soft. PDFs come in at their real size. Anything bigger than the sheet is scaled down to fit.

Auto detect or Draw shapes?

Auto detect finds each sticker by separating it from the paper around it and traces its outline. It works best when stickers sit on a white or plain background with a little space between them.

Draw shapes is for stickers that are simple rectangles, rounded rectangles, circles or ovals. Add one shape, size it exactly in inches or millimeters, then use Duplicate or Step & repeat to fill a grid.

You can mix the two: detect first, then delete or add individual paths.

Auto detect missed an edge, or cut around a shadow

• If cut paths grab drop shadows, paper texture or a faint background, raise Background tolerance.
• If a pale edge of a sticker gets left out, lower it.
• If a sticker's design runs to its edge in white, the tool can't tell that edge from the paper. Draw that sticker's shape instead.
• If the whole sheet sits on a colored background, Auto detect will see one large shape. Use Draw shapes.

How do I cut inside the art, or add a border?

Use Cut offset in Auto detect. Zero cuts right on the edge. A negative value cuts slightly inside the art, which helps when the art has no bleed. A positive value leaves a border around each sticker.

How do I move or resize the artwork?

Open the Artwork section and turn on Move / resize art. Drag the art to move it and drag a corner to resize it. The center snaps to the middle of the page, with a blue guide line; hold Option (Alt on Windows) to move it freely. Actual size, Fit page and Center do the common moves in one click. Cut paths move and scale with the art.

Are my files uploaded anywhere?

No. Everything happens in your browser: opening the file, finding the stickers and building the PDF. Your artwork never leaves your computer. See the Privacy Policy.

Which browsers work?

Use a current desktop version of Chrome, Edge, Safari or Firefox. The tool works best on a computer with a mouse or trackpad.

Can you print my stickers?

Yes. Bottle Your Brand makes custom stickers, labels, bottles and cans. Visit bottleyourbrand.com to order. Using Cut Path Tool doesn't require ordering from us: the PDF works with any print shop or cutter that uses CutContour.