At a glance
- The printed PDF and cut path must match.
- Marks and their clear areas are part of the template.
- There is no universal blade force or depth.
Prepare a proper machine template
Choose the machine preset in the builder rather than adding marks to an already full classic sheet. The sensor’s required area can reduce cards per sheet compared with a 3 × 3 grid.
Keep the same page, orientation and card positions in the print and cut files. Check dimensions on import into the cutting software: a unit change or scaling breaks that match.
Validate optical reading
Print at 100% and keep the areas around marks clear of artwork and added reflections. Position the sheet on the mat as the template requires, without improvising a rotation to make it fit.
Holographic or metallic paper can complicate reading depending on lighting and machine. Do not cut all cards if the marks are not recognised. Check loading and manufacturer instructions; do not move marks at random.
Set up on a scrap of the same media
The blade, its condition, the mat and media construction matter as much as weight. Use the machine’s test function with a setting permitted for the media type, then inspect the cut and mat before increasing a parameter.
Questions about this guide
Can I keep nine cards with every mark layout?
Not necessarily. Reading areas take space. Use the actual count from the template validated for your size and machine.
Which blade settings have been tested here?
This guide claims no internally tested settings. The machine, blade and media require a limited cut test following the manual.
Sources
Manufacturer limits apply to the media and feed paths stated in each document. A documentary match is not a physical test of our cardstock.
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