Achieving The Best Print Then Cut Image Possible

Hi there crafters!

I don't do much print then cut, but when I do I want my images to be as crisp as I design them and I think you and I buy printers and paper to match and don't want to waste our money.

Sometime ago I showed you how to get the most out of your printer (click to see previous post), but Cricut has made a few changes to how you print then cut since then, so I decided to update the technique.

Remember that links to the products I mention on this post are linked at the end of this post.
The ZIP file you can download at the end of this post, has images created in Photoshop, specifically to make a postcard to send to my niece, so there's a ready to print PDF file. I will also provide 2 different versions of the image in PNG format. Both have transparent backgrounds, but one of them has a white border around that makes it more suitable for print then cut, while the other I wouldn't suggest for this purpose, but for other print jobs instead (cards, postcards, etc).

The principle behind this technique is pretty much the same than before, but involves downloading a PDF printing plugin that you'll have to install. I've Found doPDF is the FREE most user friendly software for Windows out there. Follow this link to download and install. What this program does, is create a virtual printer that will allow you to create a PDF file of your image with the registration marks for you to then edit.

Here you can see the difference between the two images, same printer, same paper, a lot more detail on the edited image

For the most part, Print then Cut directly from the browser does a pretty good job, but it is not perfect if that what you strive for.

Browser generated image

Edited Image

The cutting feature is not affected by this technique, keeping the contours and doing a fabulous job as always.

Right: browser generated
Left: Edited

 The video tutorial explains in detail how to print to PDF and then align the images using either Adobe Illustrator or Microsoft Word Office 365.

But here some important tips:

• Always make sure you start with high resolution images, in general, anything above 300 ppp is fine. Most sites like Creative Fabrica provide high end images with amazing resolution. Remember that some free images you download are not high res, so this technique is not useful for them. Use discount code OMARTORO20 to get 20% off everything on the site.

Creative Fabrica

• Always use the Advanced Options feature to adjust the paper size and resolution - do not skip this step

After clicking on Send to Printer, go to Advanced Options

Make sure doPDF printer is selected and click on Preferences

Despite the fact that the paper size is set to Letter, click on the drop down list and select it again.
Do the same for the resolution and Scale making sure to set the scale to 100%.
For some reason your scale gets messed up if you don't do this.

• Use High resolution printing paper. For me Canon paper is the best and most affordable out there.
• Use original inks for your printer, I've realized some alternative inks don't deliver the quality your printer is capable of achieving.

Now, for the postcard, I printed the front image on my Pixma  IP7220 on Canon Matte Photo Paper and the back of the postcard on Neenah 110 lb solar white Cardstock using my laser printer. I wanted two layers to make the postcard thick enough to withstand the handling. Both layers were adhered together using Stick It double sided adhesive paper, but a large Xyron Machine will do too. I refrained from using liquid adhesive as it tends to warp the cardstock and could mess with the printer's ink. Also, because the ink is not waterproof and I didn't want the image to smear or fade during transit, I used a 2.5 mil, transparent vinyl on top to protect it. This is why I used my laser printer for the back of the postcard and wrote it a Uni Ball Deluxe waterproof pen.

I want to make this download a bit different and also I want to know how many of you guys actually read these long posts, so, the link at the end that usually takes you to the direct download, will take you to the video tutorial on You Tube instead, and you'll find the download link in the description.

If you find this post or the video tutorial useful, don't forget to give it a thumbs up and subscribe!!

Supplies List

Video tutorial Click here

If links don´t seem to open, please right click and select "open link in a new tab", it should take you to a save file dialog. Let me know in the comments if links don´t work, thanks.