Onyx: using different files for printing and cutting

[pseudotim]

we currently work with a printer who creates products for us. they are essentially vinyl sticker kits. these kits are printed using Onyx Postershop and then cut server is used for the cutting. we currently give them one EPS file for doing this. the print content changes from product to product, but the cut template is always the same.

my understanding is that the same EPS file needs to be used for printing and cutting. for various reasons, we'd like to provide the printer with a file that is purely for printing and have them use a second template file for cutting.

anyone know if this is possible to do?

 

[myshop]

onyx creates the cut file that CutServer uses based upon what it rips and prints. The cut file (xml) is not created until Postershop successfully prints the file.

If you had to give them 2 files they would need to rip and print the real file, and then rip and output (this can be done without actually printing) the cut file.

It would be a pain in the butt, in my opinion.

 

[pseudotim]

myshop, thanks for the reply. the cut file is exactly the same for every print file. could this be generated once and then just reused?

 

[myshop]

yes, it just needs to be generated once if the layout is identical. we typically did this when we would run large volumes of decals.

Out of curiosity, why do you want separate files?

-Mike

 

[pseudotim]

we are creating an online application so someone can create a custom sticker. the user will be able to upload their own image, but the cut shape will be standard across the stickers. it has been technically challenging to get the online application to save out an EPS in the right format that includes the cut data. so we're wondering if we could just give the printer an EPS print file, which varies from user to user - but they used a stock cut file that they already had onhand.

 

[ScottyDoo]

That should work just fine (as mentioned before) so long as the layout is exactly the same every time. I also did this with a customer who would need 1000's of little 1"x1" decals to apply to their products, based on whatever company was ordering them (custom brand on the products). The layout never changed, just which logos were being printed.