Cutting a sticker¶
1. Design (Inkscape)¶
- Document size: up to 225 x 225 mm (Neptune 4 bed), units mm.
- Text: Path > Object to Path. Fills do not cut; only outlines do.
- Remove overlaps: Path > Union for touching letters.
- Add a weeding border: a rectangle 5 mm larger than the design.
Easier: the dashboard
With the dashboard service installed, drop the SVG, DXF, PDF or PNG on the dashboard as a Cut design job and skip steps 2-5. See Cutting a design file.
2. Generate G-code¶
Drag knives need blade-offset compensation: the tip trails the holder axis by about 0.25 mm, so corners need small swivel moves. Use a generator that does it.
| Tool | How | Blade offset |
|---|---|---|
| Kiri:Moto (recommended, in the browser) | Laser mode, drag-knife option; bed 225 x 225 mm; export G-code | yes |
| DXF2GCODE | Export DXF from Inkscape; knife offset as tool diameter | yes (swivel moves) |
| Inkcut | Blade offset filter; output to file | yes |
| Inkscape + Gcodetools | Path to G-code | no; corners round slightly |
| LightBurn (GRBL device) | Line mode | via M3/M5, no offset |
Any of them works: the preprocessor turns Z moves and M3/M5 into the same
macros. See Existing tools.
3. Preprocess¶
.venv/bin/python scripts/gcode_preprocessor.py sticker.gcode --max-feed 1500
# wrote sticker.cut.gcode
Read the first lines of the output: ; removed: lists what was dropped. If it
mentions M109 or many E words, the source was exported for a printer, not a
cutter; check the export settings.
4. Prepare the machine¶
- Hotend cold (below 50 C). Fit the knife holder.
- Stick the vinyl on the cutting mat, shiny side up; place the mat on the bed, aligned to the front-left corner.
G28.
5. Send and run¶
.venv/bin/python scripts/mode_switch.py upload sticker.cut.gcode --start
Without --start the file is only uploaded; start it from Fluidd. The file
switches to CUTTER_MODE itself and back to PRINTER_MODE at the end.
6. Weed¶
Lift the mat off the bed, peel the border, then the inside pieces with a hook. Apply transfer tape.