i-Space

A vinyl cutter is a computer-controlled cutting device which is usually used to create labels, decals and paint mask by partially cutting through a two-layered self-adhesive material (e.g. vinyl sticker, paper sticker). The cutter is set up to cut through only the upper layer (the adhesive layer) but not the lower layer (the backing layer) of the material (i.e. kiss cutting). In this way, the backing layer can hold the separated cutouts on the adhesive layer together before they are applied on the desired surface.

When the two-layered material is supported by an adhesive cutting mat in the cutter, the cutter can then be set up to cut through both layers of the material, resulting in separated pieces of cutouts (i.e. die cutting). Die cutting with a vinyl cutter is also possible for flexible sheet material such as paper and plastic film.

You may make an appointment for the consultation service to get an introduction to the service via i-Space consultation services appointment

Location

Digital Makerspace, 4/F North Wing

Vinyl Cutter information

Price

Eligible Users

• PolyU/CPCE staff and students enrolled on programmes leading to PolyU/PolyU-SPEED/PolyU-HKCC awards

Reservation Policy

• One session for non-authorised laser cutter users from 4:00 - 5:00 PM is available from Monday to Friday (except public holidays).
• Reservations can be made 7 days in advance starting from 8:30 AM via the iBooking System.
• Duration of each session is 1 hour.
• Users can only reserve one facility for the same time session.

Check-in & Check-out

• Users are required to check in or check out their reserved facility at the Technical Support Desk (i-Space, 4/F).
• All sessions in the same reservation record will be cancelled and released to other users if users do not check in the room within 10 minutes after the booking session starts.

Special Note

• If your project runs exceed your booked session, we will continue to let it run until completion before 6 PM or one hour before library closes whichever is earliest.
• Materials for Vinyl cutting sold by the Library should be used for teaching and learning purpose only.
• You are not allowed to use your own materials for vinyl cutting.
• The reserved appointments will be forfeited automatically after 10-minute grace period.

User Guidelines

• The use of facilities shall comply with Library regulations. Users who violate the regulations will be subject to disciplinary action.
• Any unattended belongings will be removed after the reserved session so that the facility can be released to other users. The Library will not be responsible for any loss or damage to your personal belongings.
• The Library reserves the right to allocate any available facility to users, or remove facilities from service as needed such as maintenance purposes and events.

Instructions

• You can use vector editing software such as Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW to create artwork. Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW are installed at i-Space.
• We are using Adobe Illustrator CS 6 in the Digital Makerspace. If you use newer version of Adobe Illustrator to create artwork, please save the file to CS 6 version. Otherwise, we may not print your file properly.
• There are specific requirements (e.g. colour mode, line color, stroke weight, margins, registration marks, etc.) for the artwork created for different types of material, details are written in respective templates below.
• Templates files with registration marks are embedded with hidden print driver codes. The registration marks do not work if they are copied from the template to a new file, you must create your work based on our templates.
• Our vinyl cutter can only handle one artboard at a time. Please include only one artboard in a single file.
• You are suggested to have your artwork well prepared in advance to ensure you can fully utilize your booked session.

Templates

Material	File format
White paper sticker
White paper card
Vinyl sticker