Huge files problem

[Kevin Mahoney]

Hi Simon, whenever I find file sizes too big to do multiple copies, I usually rasterise the image, apply the cutline & then duplicate, that solves the problem more often than not

[Martyn Heath]

+1 for what Kevin said ☝

[RobertLambie]

I think I am maybe misunderstanding the problem, but I get the general just of it and I agree with Kevin and Martyn.

I would flatten the image, apply the vector contour cut, save as a PDF and RIP it.
So it’s just one file and the RIP will apply the number you require, and apply the Graphtec registration marks.

I use Signlab for this type of thing.

[Simon Worrall]

Rob are you saying that the rip is capable of applying the graphtec registration marks?

If that is so, then how do you perform the cut? My graphtec cuts from an illustrator plug in, Cutting Master.
I dont know if you can cut from the Production Manager rip.

Maybe I need to look into this further.

[David Hammond]

JI know where you’re coming from.

Some rips will add graphtec marks, I know versaworks doesn’t.

I agree with the others, if you can rasterise the artwork, it may reduce the file size.

Open it in illustrator, select the artwork, and from memory, Object -> Rasterise (may be wrong, but there is an option in one of the menus)

Then add your cut path over the raster, and duplicate across the artwork, before finally adding the reg marks.

Depending on the artwork, and print size, 150dpi should suffice

[RobertLambie]

@Simon-Worrall1

Yes mate, in signlab.

lets say you have a a basic image as .JPG file. or you flatten/rasterise a vector.
you apply a “cotour cut” vector.
select them both and save it as a PDF.

Open the PDF in the RIP.
select the type of cutter you have.
select number of stickers you want.
The HP latex then prints the amount you want along with the barcode or registration marks that the cutter uses.

We use ONYX RIP software, but have both Graphtec and Summa cutters. same process for either.
The RIP automatically adds the registration marks to anything you are printing, if you select you want it contour cut, it just asks to choose the cutter from a list.

[Hugh Potter]

Did you not get onyx with the HP printer, Simon? If you do have onyx, just process the file, selecting the cutter you wish to use on the left hand drop down menu, the reg marks should be automatically applied, just leave space for them to print of the rip will resize the print down to fit. On 1370 I make the page size of the pdf no more than 1270mm wide, usually 1250 for ease.

[Simon Worrall]

I only got production manager Hugh. It wont do this unfortunately.