|
|
Post by needtime2scrap on Dec 22, 2017 15:10:19 GMT
Has anyone done this before? I've been reading up on it and it seems like its possible but I'm curious about settings and such. I need to cut some words that are super large and I don't have the 12x24 mat or the vinyl feeder(which I don't want to invest in) Hoping that the peas have some tips or helpful hints for me  |
|
scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,316 
|
Post by scrapnnana on Dec 22, 2017 17:03:06 GMT
It really depends on how experienced you are with the machine, settings, and materials. The 12x24 inch mat is cheap insurance IMO. If you are not using a mat and accidentally cut too deep, you can cut into the strip below, which then would need to be replaced.
If you are an experienced cutter, you can probably manage without. You use the "Load media" setting instead of "Load mat" when you feed the vinyl into the machine.
I have been using electronic cutters for 12 years. I have had my Cameo for at least 3 years. I never cut without a mat. Even though I rarely make a mistake, I do slip up periodically. With the mat, I ruin only my cutting material. My machine is never hurt. Ridiculous? Maybe. But with a mat, I also know exactly where it will cut, which avoids waste.
|
|
|
|
Post by streetscrapper on Dec 22, 2017 17:10:27 GMT
I cut a lot of vinyl, mostly heat transfer, and lately I've been cutting a lot for Christmas gifts. I don't have a vinyl feeder and up until recently I never used a mat unless I was cutting small leftover pieces. But my most recent attempts to cut without a mat were disastrous. For some reason the vinyl was slipping, something that has never happened before, and a lot got wasted so I ended up using a mat. I think my issue was because I couldn't get the curl out of the vinyl and it didn't feed properly through the back. I am actually thinking about investing in the feeder...
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 30, 2024 15:34:45 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2017 23:31:21 GMT
I prefer to cut without the mat. I follow the rhinestone worlds video for htv (settings and everything) and have not had one problem.
|
|
|
|
Post by caspad on Dec 26, 2017 18:41:50 GMT
It really depends on how experienced you are with the machine, settings, and materials. The 12x24 inch mat is cheap insurance IMO. If you are not using a mat and accidentally cut too deep, you can cut into the strip below, which then would need to be replaced. Cutting vinyl without a mat is super easy. Do a test cut first to make sure that the vinyl is cutting all the way through but not cutting the paper backing. As for the black strip being cut and needing replacement, often my Silhouette decides to "go rogue" - it spits out the mat in the middle of a job and keeps cutting I haven't replaced the black strip but it still cuts fine |
|
|
|
Post by needtime2scrap on Dec 26, 2017 20:28:48 GMT
Thanks for the advice! I'm planning on cutting some test cuts first before I go totally rogue!
|
|
|
|
Post by Skellinton on Dec 26, 2017 20:31:34 GMT
Do you have two mats? Could you temporarily tape them together and try that? I have no idea if that would work, but I imagine if you taped them well enough on the back it might work.
|
|
|
|
Post by pennyscraps on Dec 28, 2017 23:24:54 GMT
I cut vinyl without the mat.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,275
|
Post by iowgirl on Dec 31, 2017 14:47:05 GMT
If what you are cutting is very long, even just 24" ... I suggest feeding that amount of vinyl through the machine to see if it is going to feed straight. It can go off track super easy. Once you have it in straight - then back it out to the start point - but DO NOT unload it - or you have to start all over  Move your right side white roller in to the next notch, so that it rests along the edge of the vinyl. Be sure to set your software to NONE for the mat. You lose .25" on each side and 1" at the bottom of cutable area - so be sure to keep that in mind. If you check the box for SHOW CUT BORDER in your PAGE SETUP panel - you will see the red box that shows what is the cutable area. If your cut is 24" long - be sure to set your page size to 12x25" or even a little longer, to compensate for that 1" of cutable area you lose at the bottom. You must have at least this much vinyl in the machine also. If you have the Cameo 3, it will automatically load the media right. If you have an original Cameo or Cameo 2 - be sure to select LOAD MEDIA on the machine itself. (Not "Load Cutting Mat") |
|
