Artwork guide · Custom shape stickers · Adobe Illustrator

How to Create a Sticker Cut Line in Illustrator

8 steps, around 10 minutes
Vector and raster artwork
Every file checked by our team

Before you start

Do You Need a Cut Line?

Custom shape stickers need a cut line, a vector path that tells our cutter exactly where to cut around your design. You can create it yourself in Adobe Illustrator by following this guide, or ask our designers to do it for you.

Standard shapes do not need a cut line. Round, oval, square and rectangle stickers are set up by our team during artwork approval. Only bespoke contour shapes need one.

Which type of artwork do you have?

Pick your path. Both paths start differently, then join up at step 4 and finish the same way.

Path A Vector artwork Made in Illustrator, or saved as .ai, .eps, .svg or a vector PDF. Start at vector step 1 ↓ Path B Raster artwork An image file such as .png, .jpg, .jpeg, .gif, .tiff or .psd. Start at raster step 1 ↓

Vector1 2 3

Raster1 2 3

→

4 5 6 7 8

Steps 4 to 8, the same for both

→

✓

Save and send

Path A

Vector Artwork: Steps 1 to 3

Working with artwork made in Illustrator or saved as a vector file? Start here.

Vector · Step 1

Outline any strokes

Open your design in Adobe Illustrator and select any strokes in the artwork.
Turn them into shapes with Object, Path, Outline Stroke, so the cut line follows their full width.
Not sure where the strokes are? Switch to Outline view to see them.

Outline view, Mac ⌘ + YPC Ctrl + Y

Vector · Step 2

Convert text to outlines

Select all of the text in your design.
Right click and choose Create Outlines, so the text becomes shapes.

Mac Shift + ⌘ + OPC Shift + Ctrl + O

Vector · Step 3

Duplicate your artwork layer

In the Layers panel, hold Option on a Mac or Alt on a PC, then drag your artwork layer on top of itself to duplicate it.
Lock the original layer underneath. You will build the cut line on the new copy.
Name the new layer Cut Contour so our team can find it straight away.

Same as raster step 1. View

Vector steps done. Now continue with step 4, the same for both paths.

Switch to raster Go to step 4

Path B

Raster Artwork: Steps 1 to 3

Working with a .png, .jpg, .jpeg, .gif, .tiff or .psd file? Start here.

Raster · Step 1

Open and duplicate your layer

Open your image in Adobe Illustrator.
In the Layers panel, hold Option on a Mac or Alt on a PC, then drag your artwork layer on top of itself to duplicate it.
Lock the original layer and name the copy Cut Contour.

Same as vector step 3. View

Raster · Step 2

Image Trace your artwork

With the image on the Cut Contour layer selected, open the Image Trace panel to create a vector version.
Do not worry about colours or fine detail. All that matters is that the outer edge matches your design.
When the outline looks right, click Expand to turn it into a vector shape.

Raster · Step 3

Delete the white background box

Image Trace often adds a white box around your design.
Right click your traced artwork and choose Ungroup, then select the white box and press Delete.

Ungroup, Mac Shift + ⌘ + GPC Shift + Ctrl + G

Raster steps done. Now continue with step 4, the same for both paths.

Switch to vector Go to step 4

Both paths

Steps 4 to 8: Finish Your Cut Line

Whether you started with vector or raster artwork, these final steps are exactly the same. Coming from vector step 3 or raster step 3? Carry on here.

Both paths · Step 4

Unite everything into one shape

Select everything on the Cut Contour layer.
In the Pathfinder panel, click Unite to merge it all into a single shape.

Both paths · Step 5

Offset the path to add a border

With the shape still selected, go to Object, Path, Offset Path.
Tick Preview, then adjust the offset until you are happy with the white border around your design, and click OK.

The offset is the border you will see around your sticker, so preview it at actual size before you confirm.

Both paths · Step 6

Unite again and remove holes

Select everything on the Cut Contour layer again and click Unite in the Pathfinder panel.
Use the Direct Selection tool to select and delete any unwanted holes inside the shape.

Direct Selection A

Both paths · Step 7

Set the cut line style

Remove the fill from the shape.
Give it a 1pt stroke. This is the cut line format we need.
Unsure about anything? Just mention it when you send your artwork and we will help.

Both paths · Step 8

Bridge separate shapes and save

If you have two or more separate cut shapes, they need joining into one.
Draw a small bridge shape with the Pen tool that overlaps the pieces, select everything and click Unite.
Save your Illustrator file. That is it, your cut line is ready.

Pen tool P

Every file is checked by our team. If anything needs fixing we will be in touch straight away.