How to create a contour die cut line for a sticker in Adobe Illustrator

Learn how to add extra white space (contour cut line) around your sticker design in this Adobe Illustrator tutorial!
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[@GDHT]

Learn how to ETHICALLY get Adobe CC free (or cheap) here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5OVo5-JaMmGoLM

[@sallybowles2781]

thank you, this is the first explanation that does not make me want to cry :D subscribed

[@GDHT]

Wow, thank you!! I'm so glad the video helped!!

[@fiddlermom9629]

Your videos are SO helpful and clear! Thank you!

[@GDHT]

You're welcome! Glad they helped!

[@TerriJohnsonCreates]

This was exactly what I've been looking for! Took me several times - but I did it!! Thank you

[@GDHT]

You're welcome - I'm so glad it helped!

[@busy.with.it.]

This video is EXACTLY what I was searching and searching and searching for! Thanks so much!

[@GDHT]

I'm glad it was helpful! You're welcome!

[@lisacatlin8161]

Perfect timing! I need to create an outline for an image to be turned into a vinyl sticker and this is exactly what I needed to see. Thank you for sharing!

[@GDHT]

Whoa that's awesome! I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@mrsteama]

Thank you so much Ann. I just created an image and i need a white outline behind it so i'll be watching your video a few times until i get the hang of it.

[@GDHT]

You're welcome! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@vishgallery523]

Thank you for these details.

[@GDHT]

You're welcome!!

[@FOODI360]

Thank you! Your video is SO helpful and I have learnt something new. 😀👍😀

[@GDHT]

Thank you so much - I'm so glad it was helpful for you!!

[@Lightning_StrikesAgain]

Great video once again!

[@GDHT]

Thank you so much!!

[@elsapakopoulou6759]

Great tips! Thank you Anne

[@GDHT]

You're welcome..and thank you!

[@stephaniesitgraves609]

Oh my goodness I have watch multiple videos on AI this was amazing thank you so much!!!!

[@GDHT]

You're welcome..and thank you!!

[@DASSFAMILY]

Thank you so much for the tutorial gorgeous

[@GDHT]

You're welcome!! :)

[@foodlover5471]

This video is very helpful thanks teacher

[@GDHT]

You're welcome! I'm so glad it helped!

[@techgalaxy100]

Awesome!!

[@GDHT]

Thank you!!

[@sagunmdr]

Thank you so much!!

[@GDHT]

You're welcome!

[@TheToothRestorator]

Thank you so much! Now I finally understand. :)

[@GDHT]

You're welcome - I'm so glad to hear that!!

[@AlaneLane]

Thank you 🙏🏾🖌️ for sharing. This is the best tutorial. I am so grateful and appreciate you. Subscribing.

[@GDHT]

You are so welcome!! Thank you!!

[@valuablecontent6027]

Excellent n easy way to teach. Stay blessed 👍

[@GDHT]

Thank you so much!!

[@BrettFosterPhotographer]

thank you. this is the best tute. I wish it was easier to find!! :)

[@GDHT]

You're welcome! And thank you so much!

[@moondeparture9629]

Thank you so much

[@GDHT]

You're welcome!!

[@milabela]

thank you so much for this. do I need to group all of it (die cut line and the original design) at he end?

[@GDHT]

It depends on the software you'll be using. If it's Cricut, then yes. But it wouldn't hurt to group it in any case.

[@SarahNenniDaher]

I love your videos and I always learn something new. I learned to create these using offset path. Is that wrong or in some way shorting the process? Does it do the same thing?

[@GDHT]

Hi Sarah, thank you so much! It does do the same thing - as long as the path you're working with doesn't have any effects, strokes, etc, you can use the offset path method or the stroke method. I really should've shown both ways...and maybe also a 'simple' way with an already-simplified path, because it doesn't take nearly as long if you don't have anything to expand, etc. Ah well. I always think of these things after the fact!! :D

[@SarahNenniDaher]

Graphic Design How To The more I learn, the more I find that there are so many ways to do the same thing. 😂 I do appreciate these videos - thank you for doing them and for being a great teacher.

[@GDHT]

Sarah Nenni-Daher It’s so true! Thank you so much for your kind words about my videos!

[@sallybowles2781]

Sarah Nenni Dahler, offset path is great but for example I had already manipulated my image with Offset path so it wouldn't let me do this effect

[@fernandolanderos4600]

Thanks. Can’t believe they have not simplified this sequence.

[@GDHT]

You're welcome 😊 - maybe they will at some point!

[@wendyhammock421]

Once I figured out that Ctrl 3 does not copy AND hide, this worked great. I'm still new to illustrator.

[@GDHT]

Ooh sorry about that! Yes, I should've just included the CTRL C too because it's confusing otherwise.

[@JeanneSullivanDesign]

Excellent! I'm so happy to find this, Anne! How about considering a full Skillshare sticker class?

[@GDHT]

That's a great idea - I'll consider it! I'm so far behind with Skillshare classes - I have a few to record and release first...so it might be a while!

[@JeanneSullivanDesign]

Great to know you’re already planning more SS classes! I’ll be sure to keep my eye out for the announcements! I learn (easily

[@GDHT]

Awww thank you so much!!

[@yangzeng4277]

There is an anther way to go to it: Copy the original graphic, changing fill into strokes after using the "unite" of pathfinder, then use the "offset path" effect.

[@GDHT]

Yes, this will work if you don't have different sizes of strokes on parts of the design!

[@kaistockman6443]

If my image was made in photoshop can I trace it and then do this?

[@GDHT]

Sure, but image trace might not work great. It depends on the type of image it is.

[@Navigator777777]

How do I deal with more than one CutContour line? I print and cut my art work. Weed the vinyl. Laminate the art work then put the vinyl back in the cutter. I want to cut the lamination, lets say .125 beyond the original artwork. I can't turn layers on and off in Versaworks. I don't want to do a PerfCutContour. Ideas?

[@GDHT]

Hmmm, I'm not sure. So you want a contour line outside of the current contour line? You could do this tutorial again, but as you said, I'm not sure how your machine would handle two cut lines. Sorry I'm not more help!

[@Navigator777777]

@@GDHT It was a pleasure stumping you! LOL My Roland has a CutContour feature, but it also has a PerfCutContour feature. Some call it Die-Cut. I suppose I could use the PerfCutContour featured at reduced pressure so as not to penetrate the carrier paper? The problem is I also need the die cut! I've determined ...until I find another method, I need to run two identical files. One file has print and cut checked. The second file has a CutContour and a PerfCutContour...just to get the lamination to extend beyond the sticker. Thanks for the response.

[@sallybowles2781]

nothing! it worked for some files but now it stopped doing it, after I group and expand and unite, it doesn't show me Stroke and Fill anymore :'( what do I do?

[@GDHT]

Select it, then Hit D on you keyboard to get a white fill and black outline.

[@jcpena40]

How do you create the cut line color? I mean the color itself!

[@GDHT]

You can add a stroke and choose a color. But to have the software recognize it as such - this is going to depend on your cutting machine software. For example, in Cricut, the color of the line can be anything, you just need to rename your layers, then they will import correctly into Cricut Design Space. Double click on a layer to rename it, and each piece of your image should have what it is, a plus sign, and then the line type. So you can type "Sticker + cut" as the layer name. I think Cricut will only really recognize the '+ cut' part, the 'sticker' part can be anything.

[@lartesozkan]

i will cry now. i am doing the last part but it doesnot work. i hold shift and deselect the outermost outline but not selected all. i was trying that for font. pls help me...

[@GDHT]

What part of the video (min, sec)?

[@milabela]

@@GDHT 4:11 same problem here :'( please help

[@GDHT]

@@milabela you have to make sure you are clicking exactly on the line (not inside or out)

[@vanson420]

My God. All I want is a Contour Cut... It shouldn't be this hard.

[@GDHT]

This process takes me about 30 seconds max - if I use keyboard shortcuts. Of course the video takes much longer because I explain everything. Also - Illustrator isn't made for this function specifically. There are probably other programs where the sole purpose is to create a contour line - they will do the job in a click (probably)