When setting up files for wall quote decals, custom vinyl lettering, or other exact cut graphics, there are a few important requirements to keep in mind.
Exact cut decals are cut directly around each individual letter, shape, or design element rather than being printed as one solid sticker with a background. Because each element needs to be cut, weeded, transferred, and installed, very small or intricate details may not work well for this type of decal.
Minimum Thickness and Gap Requirements
For exact cut decals, we require:
- A minimum thickness of 0.125″ for strokes, lines, and other design elements
- A minimum gap of 0.125″ between separate vector shapes
These requirements help ensure that your decal can be cut and weeded properly and transferred successfully during installation.
Fine Details and Intricate Artwork
Use caution with distressed, chalkboard, handwritten, sketch-style, or highly detailed artwork. These styles often contain very thin lines, tiny shapes, sharp points, or irregular gaps that may fall below our minimum requirements.
For best results, we recommend simplifying small details and using thicker, more solid shapes whenever possible.
Sharp points and extremely thin elements can also be difficult to produce consistently. Rounding sharp points or increasing the thickness of fine details can help create a cleaner, more durable finished decal.
If your design contains elements below our minimum requirements, we cannot guarantee that those details will cut, weed, transfer, or install as intended.
Intricate Patterns
Patterns made up of many thin lines or tightly spaced elements may not be suitable for an exact cut decal. Even if the artwork can be cut, extremely small pieces can be difficult to remove from the backing and transfer cleanly during installation.
If your design requires a highly detailed pattern, we may recommend simplifying the artwork or producing the design as a one-piece printed decal instead.
Vector Artwork Is Required
Exact cut decals require vector artwork so our equipment can follow precise cut paths around each element of the design. Raster images such as JPGs and PNGs are made from pixels and do not contain the editable vector paths needed for exact cutting.
Files prepared for exact cutting should also not contain clipping masks that interfere with the final cut paths.
What If My Artwork Doesn’t Meet the Requirements?
If you’re unsure whether your artwork meets our exact cut requirements, send us your file and our team can review it.
Depending on the design, we may recommend adjusting or simplifying the artwork, increasing the overall size, converting the artwork to vector form, or printing the design as a one-piece decal with a background.
Exact cut decals are supplied with transfer tape to keep individual letters and design elements properly positioned during installation. For step-by-step guidance, check out our instructions on how to install transfer tape vinyl graphics.