How I Print + Cut Stickers

One of our zines, by Deflectric. This is how he cuts the zines we make on our store.

Supplies I use:

• Cutter: Silhouette Portrait 3
• Printer: Canon iP8720
• Sticker Paper:
• Koala brand
• Cutting Mat:
• ArtCute
• Program:
• Silhouette Studio
• Optional:
• Washi Tape
• Laminate
• Scraper

What’s the difference between “kiss cut” and “die cut”?

Sticker paper has two layers:

1. The top layer that you print on and is sticky on the back.

2. The shiny backing paper that you discard after peeling.

Kiss cut: the sticker is cut through the top layer of paper only, leaving background or backing paper around the sticker.

Die cut: the sticker is cut all the way out, through the top layer AND backing paper. Sticker sheets are an example of kiss cut stickers!

I remember it like this: The blade doesn’t cut the backing paper, it just “kisses” it.

Step 1:

Make design

…and pop it into the cutting program of choice

Step 2:

SilhouetteStudio will automate a red cut line, but it needs some help. I use “offset” to give the sticker’s edge a lil breathing room.

You can also use “trace” instead of the automatic line. It detects the shape of your sticker and “traces” the outline of it.

Step 3:

Arrange the stickers on the page. Once the cut line is set up, all you have to do is copy + paste the sticker as many times as you need. I usually fit about 6 stickers per page, depending on the size of the sticker. The most common size I make is 2.5-3 inches tall.

Step 4:

Can't forget to turn on registration marks! These marks tell the Silhouette where your stickers are on the page and therefore where to cut.

“Length”, “Thickness”: changes size of registration marks

“Inset”, “Advanced Options”: moves registration marks back so more stickers fit per page

Step 5:

Print 'em out!

I never print directly from SilhouetteStudio. It's better to save them as a .pdf and open them in another program. Unfortunately, SilhouetteStudio paywalls “save as .pdf”. :( HOWEVER! The way around this is actually in the print menu!

File → Print → Print → Microsoft Print To PDF.

This won’t actually print anything, just lets you save it correctly.

Remember to adjust your printer settings for whatever paper you're using. Most of my paper is “matte” or “semi-gloss”, so I choose those options. I also select the “print borderless” option.

Step 6:

If using: Apply laminate w/scraper. Do not cover registration marks!

Align the paper to the upper left corner of the mat (the arrow on the mat should be pointing up). Secure with washi tape if using.

Step 7:

Time to cut! Load the mat into the machine. The “send” tab is where you tell the machine how to cut your stuff.

This is where you adjust the blade according to your paper thickness. I have to experiment with these settings, A LOT.

• Blade Depth: How deep to cut the paper
• Force: How hard to push thru the paper
• Speed: How fast to cut
• Passes: How many times to cut around the cut line

I also never use the “simple” tab, I use “line”. This lets you turn cut lines off/on. I turn the default red line off, and turn on whatever color I made my own cutline!

Next, just hit send and away she goes!

Step 8:

Once it's done cutting, unload the mat from the machine and tah-dah! Fresh stickers, hot off the press. Tips, Tricks, N’ Other Info:

• Replacing mats when they lose stickiness is expensive and creates a lot of plastic waste. Washi tape is a biodegradable way to secure paper to the cutting mat! Just use a lot of it.
• Silhouette Studio paywalls a lot of features. Keep an eye out for discounts and sales, I got mine on Swing Design. There may be better indie alternatives out there as well, but I haven’t tried any to recommend.
• Check thrift stores for sticker supplies!
• Cutters can be very naughty. Have patience! It took me a solid 2 years before I really understood how to operate it, and I’m still learning daily!

Thanks for checking out my zine!

It’s too small to cover anything but the very basics, hopefully it was useful or at least an interesting read!

If there’s something not covered here that you want to discuss, my contact info is on the back. Thanks again!

Questions about making stickers?

Email: deflectric@proton.me

Fediverse/social media: @deflectric

Hit me up!

Join our sticker club: ko-fi.com/scumsuck

I can make YOUR stickers: wiki.scumsuck.com/resources:stickers

• Stickers Resources