Frequently-Asked Questions

We suggest a vector design software, like CorelDRAW, Adobe Illustrator or FreeHand, along with CoCut or CoCut Pro. You also need a cutting plotter (aka: vinyl cutter), which ideally is 24 inches wide, or wider. Narrower cutters are fine for hobby-cutting (home use) but do not meet the commonly-requested lettering and graphic sizes for a commercial sign business.

This really depends on your budget and whether you know how to make your vector designs “vinyl-ready.” (No overlapping lines or shapes.) Obviously, if your budget is tighter, then the more-affordable CoCut is the way to go. But if you need a software that turns your designs into vinyl-ready cut files, automatically, then CoCut Pro is the perfect solution for you. Also, if you use AutoCAD, then CoCut Pro is required, because CoCut supports CorelDRAW, Illustrator and FreeHand, but not AutoCAD, which is exclusively supported in CoCut Pro.

Yes. But unfortunately, due to limits in older versions of CorelDRAW, you need to install the CoCut plug-in manually. But it’s easy to do, and visually described here.

You can view a feature comparison by clicking here. But essentially, CoCut is a plug-in that allows you to cut what you create in your design software; CoCut Pro adds addtional features that turn your designs into vinyl-ready cut files automatically, has added support for AutoCAD and adds an advanced capability for contour-cutting printed vinyl decals and images with its support for optical systems on higher-end cutters, such as SignWarehouse’s Q and Qe cutters with ARMS, Graphtec cutters with ARMS and Summa cutters with OPOS, OPOS/2 or OPOS/X — just to name a few.

Essentially, no. Neither CoCut nor CoCut Pro limit the possible cutting length. The limit is always based on the plotter and the length of the vinyl roll being cut. Limits can also arise with plotters that do not accurately track the vinyl over longer distances. (Media skews off the pinch-rollers, for example.) So while CoCut and CoCut Pro cut to any length you wish, it’s best to keep in mind the limits of the vinyl cutter you are using.

Typically, if you can run CorelDRAW, Illustrator, FreeHand or AutoCAD, you have the horsepower needed for CoCut and CoCut Pro, and then some. But to be safe, we recommmend, at a minimum, this:

A standard Windows PC with at least 1 GB RAM, running Windows XP (SP2) or above. And an available USB, Serial or Parallel port for the vinyl-cutter you’re plotting to.

Basically all cutting plotters are supported in CoCut and CoCut Pro. The programs include more than 500 device drivers. (See list here.) And we continually add new drivers as cutter models are added or upgraded, which are free to users of CoCut and CoCut Pro for as long as you own the software.

Yes, absolutely. Legal copies can be transferred to another person or computer. Simply contact us if ever you wish to do that.

With serial port connectivity, this is a typical buffer overflow problem that occurs if the protocol is set incorrectly. Most cutters following settings:
Bits per second: 9600; data bits: 8; parity: none; stop bits: 1; flow control: hardware.
If you still have a problem, check your cutter user’s guide to determine the correct settings.

Setting the step size:
In the GP-GL mode it is possible to set the minimal distance of the cutting knife’s path to one of the following widths: 0.01 mm, 0.025 mm, 0.05 mm or 0.1 mm. The default setting is 0.1 mm. This value must be changed, if your program’s driver uses another step size:
Step 1: Switch into the command mode “GP-GL”.
Step 2: Press the enter key; the menu step size appears.
Step 3: Press the appropriate key to select the desired value (0.100 mm, 0.050 mm, 0.025 mm, or 0.010 mm) and confirm with [ENTER] key.
Step 4: Press [PAUSE] key in order to cancel the pause mode.
If controlling the plotter from CoCut / CoCut Pro, the value of the step size must be set to 0.025. This is the resolution that is the default in all drivers.

When exporting files from Mac applicaton, you can and should alway save out files in an EPS format. And be mindful of these settings:

1. For the contours, as line width only hairline (0.01 mm) must be entered.
2. No fillings should be transferred.
3. All texts must be converted to graphical objects. (text in curves)
4. Grouped or combined objects must not be available. (break up before)
5. Especially with the Freehand-export the export filter for the Illustrator-format must be selected.
6. As file name extension .eps should be used and you should not use umlauts as ü, ä or ü

1) The foil is clamped too loose
Problem: the knive moves the media during the cutting process, and thus letters or objects are not completely cut.
Remedy: be sure you media is loaded correctly and that the pinch rollers are holding the media securely.
2) The speed is too fast
Problem: small parts of the cut vinyl, especially font serifs, lift up causing what are called: Vinyl Ears.
Remedy: reduce your cut-speed and lower the knife-pressure.
3) The tool pressure is too high
Problem: the release liner is also cut too deeply, causing pieces of the backing to lift off when transferring your vinyl; also weeding becomes more difficult.
Remedy: reduce pressure and correct the depth of your knife, if necessary.
4) The tool pressure is too low
Problem: vinyl is partly cut through; and the adhesive layer is not cut deeply enough. Weeding becomes very difficult, or even unweedable.
Remedy: increase the pressure and correct the depth of your knife, if necessary.
5) The knife is set too deep
Problem: your images are cut too deeply, or even all the way through the backing, causing pieces to fly off the cutter. Your job is ruined, along with your vinyl.
Remedy: correct the knife depth.
6) The knife (blade) is worn out
Problem: only your vinyl and not your adhesive layer is cutting through.
Remedy: replace your blade.
7) The characters are lifting-up (vinyl ears)
Problem: small type and intricate designs get messed up, and may even be unusable.
Possible solution: the smaller the font size the thinner the vinyl must be; try using a thinner, cast vinyl. (also called premium)
Remedy: reduce the speed and use a 60° blade.
8) The release liner is also being cut into
Problem: pieces of release liner sticks to the adhesive backing on your vinyl.
Remedy: correct your blade depth, and reduce kinife-pressure. Also do a test cut; ideally the blade cuts through the vinyl, adhesive layer and just barely scratches the coating of the release liner, without cutting into it.

Check first, if your cutter is listed in the Device Manager (Control Panel / Hardware / Device Manager). If not, reinstall the device driver as described in your cutter user’s guide.
Next, check if the USB port for your cutter is selected in the CoCut Device Settings. You’ll find the Device Settings window in the Settings / Common Settings / Devices menu.
Note: A USB cable should be no longer than 15 feet, without USB booster.

Check, if your Summa cutter is set to DMPL device language. If the cutter is set to HPGL, it will not read the data being sent from CoCut, which uses Summa’s proprietary (better) language: DMPL.

a. First check if you have selected the correct cutter driver and the correct port: for example [device name] at COM2 in the CoCut cutting dialog
b. COM port: check if the parameters of the port are set correctly. To do so, call up the system control in Windows. In the device manager, select the corresponding connection. Most common are: Baud: 9600; data bits: 8; parity: none; stop bit: 1; flow control: hardware.
The settings in the system control and at the cutter must be identical; otherwise little or no data transfer will occur.
c. USB port: Check if the correct USB driver is installed for the device. The settings are in the Windows device manager under USB controller. The USB driver for the cutting plotter must be installed; otherwise no activation is possible.
If the USB driver does not appear there, install it from your cutter’s CD or download it from your cutter maker’s Web site.
d. Original cable: Check if you use the original cable that came with your cutter is being used. Many cutter makers have custom “pin-outs” (which pins do what/go where).

Mimaki CG series cutters come with a default resolution of 0.025 mm. The drivers in CoCut are set to “0.01″, since it allows faster and more accurate operation.
To adjust plot resolution, turn the cutter on and press the [ < ] button on the control panel; after the cutter has measured the roll, press the [ function ] key until “interface” appears in the display. Then, press the [ enter ] key until you reach the “Stepsize” menu, and then use the ^-(scroll) button until the display shows “0.01″. Finally, confirm the selection by pressing [ enter ] and then [ end ].

After making setting changes, often people forget to confirm the changes. Be sure to do that, by pressing the [ ... ] button nest to the “Enter Material” field, which enables the “Save Material Data” option.

This error message is caused when the program folder used by CoCut is not properly set to: “Write.”
Solution: Enable “Write” priviledges for that program folder.

This is often because of an incorrect setting in the protocol of the serial (COM) port you’re using. Be sure to set the protocol flow control to that specified in your cutter user’s guide.

You’ll need a USB-to-Serial adapter, and of course an available USB port on your computer or laptop.
Note: Not all adapters work properly, especially on 64-bit operating systems. You may need to try different types of adapters until you find one that works.