Cut lines and die-cut export

Cut lines and die-cut export

Overview

Cut lines define the trim shape around a design — rectangles for standard stickers, circles for buttons, or a custom contour for die-cut vinyl. Configure them in Calculator Editor → Designer (Step 5) with a Cut line shape canvas binding (Designer mode only). Enable Export cut-line SVG (die-cut) under Storefront editor settings → Designer → Export so the shape is saved with each order.

Add a cut-line binding

  1. Open Designer (Step 5) and switch to Designer mode.
  2. In the right panel, under Canvas bindings, add Cut line shape.
  3. Choose the calculator option that drives the shape (usually a Shape or Image swatch option).
  4. Map each choice to a preset shape or to Auto (die-cut).

Preset shapes

Token Shape
Rectangle Square corners
Circle Perfect circle (square die; uses the larger artboard side)
Oval Ellipse from artboard width × height
Rounded Rounded rectangle (adjustable corner radius)
Star Star outline (adjustable points and point length)
Auto (die-cut) Contour traced from the customer's uploaded artwork

Preset shapes follow the artboard size. The dashed black trim guide on the canvas shows the active cut line.

When a choice maps to Rounded or Star, extra controls appear in the binding map:

  • Rounded — Corner radius as a percent of the shorter artboard side (default 12%). Optionally enable Allow customer to adjust corner radius so shoppers get the same slider on the storefront.
  • Star — Points (3–24) and Point length (how long the arms are). Optionally enable Allow customer to adjust star so shoppers get both sliders on the storefront.

Oval is not locked to a square; pair it with width/height (or size) bindings to control the ellipse.

Auto (die-cut) trace

When a choice maps to Auto (die-cut), Appify CPO traces the opaque pixels of the customer's primary uploaded image to build a contour path. This suits sticker sheets where the cut follows the artwork silhouette.

Tips for better auto traces:

  • Use uploads with clear edges and solid artwork on a transparent or plain background.
  • Very small or faint details may be simplified in the traced path.
  • Pair with Transparent background mode on clear stickers so customers preview the true die-cut edge.

Advanced auto-cut settings (bridge smoothness, compound path handling) appear in the binding map when Auto is selected for a choice.

Export

Turn on Export cut-line SVG (die-cut) in Storefront editor settings → Designer → Export. On save, Appify CPO generates a cut-line SVG aligned to the artboard. The file appears on the customer's Design Files summary page and in your order line item properties when enabled.

Proof PNG and print-ready PNG use the same trim boundary; the SVG is the vector path for cutters and plotters.

Examples

  • Die-cut laptop stickers — Shape swatch: Round → circle, Die-cut → Auto. Transparent background for clear vinyl. Export cut-line SVG on.
  • Standard label sheets — Single fixed rectangle cut line via a one-choice swatch mapped to Rectangle. No auto trace needed.