How to Select Software for a Garment Graphics Cutter

Programs specially designed to work with a garment graphics cutter can help you maximize its versatility and profitability.
March 11, 2008

Many specialty graphics cutter programs will include a selection of clip art such as mascots, sports balls, symbols, and logos. Make sure the program you select includes the type of clip art you will need for the markets you are targeting. Photo courtesy of Imprintables Warehouse.

By Josh Ellsworth
 
Making the decision to purchase a cutter is a relatively easy one. After all, the benefits are obvious: cutters can increase profits by allowing you to do low-quantity, custom orders, including personalized names and numbers for team uniforms and school shirts. But once you’ve made the plunge and decided to purchase a cutter, you have another decision to make: which graphics software to purchase.

No matter which graphics software program you choose, you must have software to drive your cutter, or to send designs from the computer to the equipment. This type of software is referred to as a cutter driver. In most cases, this functionality comes in software that’s bundled with the cutter. However, if such software doesn’t come with the equipment, you’ll need to purchase graphics software that offers it as part of its features.

Another important point: Cutters work with vector artwork, and two of the industry’s most popular graphics design programs that create vector images are CorelDraw and Adobe Illustrator. These two programs are so popular, in fact, that industry suppliers offer plug-ins that work with them to provide additional functionality.

However, if you don’t have a graphics background, you may have some trouble working with these feature-laden programs. To make it easier for beginners, suppliers offer simplified stand-alone programs that don’t require CorelDraw or Illustrator. As you’re shopping for software, be thinking about whether you want the power that CorelDraw and Illustrator provide when coupled with plug-ins, or whether you’d prefer a simpler, stand-alone option.

Before You Begin Shopping
One of the first things to consider is your market. In other words, who are your potential customers? Make a list of everyone you’ll approach, as well as the types of designs they’re likely to want. For example, for schools and teams, you’ll need images such as mascots and sports balls. For the small business market, you’ll want images such as trees, scissors, hammers, and toothbrushes—icons that represent occupations or trades.

As you’re shopping for graphics software — whether you do so over the phone, on the Internet or at trade shows — refer to this list and determine whether the software can handle each design style. For each style, ask yourself:

•  Can I create the design in the software?
•  If so, how difficult and time consuming is it to create?
•  Are there features in the software that will make my job of creating these designs easy, effective and profitable?

Once you’ve determined your target market, next you have a number of options to consider in terms of the type of graphics programs. These include job management software, template software, name and number software, and full-blown design software.

Job Management Software
This type of program, which generally comes bundled with your garment cutter, gives you an on-screen view of the sizing of the roll loaded in the cutter. From this view, you can do basic tasks such as import graphics, make copies of it, rotate it, mirror it, and nest it (fit it) on your material. Here’s a quick explanation of each of those features:

Import. To “import” an image means to bring in a graphic from another program. In other words, your software should be able to import, or bring in, formats such as JPEGs, BMPs or EPS files. The more file types your software can import, the more flexibility you’ll have.

Copy. It’s also handy when your software can make copies of an image, or duplicate an image in a few simple clicks rather than forcing you to tediously copy and paste it over and over again manually.

Rotate. The ability to rotate a design at a 90-degree angle is an important feature, as you’ll want to rotate and move graphics on the page to maximize your material usage. Rotating and fitting images onto a page lets you get the most out of each piece of material.

Mirror. The ability to mirror or reverse an image so that it reads backwards is a must-have feature. That’s because the vast majority of heat-applied graphics will need to be mirrored so that they read the correct way after they’re adhered to the garment.

Nesting. Some programs will automate the process of placing and spacing images to efficiently use the material; in other words, to fit the most images possible, thus reducing waste. This automated feature means you don’t have to spend time manually spacing graphics.

Template Software
Most template software is available either as a stand-alone program or as an add-on to popular programs such as Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw. This type of software lets you use edit designs and templates to fit your needs. For example, you can change the image’s text size, font and colors. Some template software comes with athletic tail templates — popular scripts with tails for sport uniforms — as well as a handy clip-art library.

Name & Number Software
Name and number software also is available stand-alone or as part of full-blown design programs. Many decorators using garment cutters make their money in the athletic market, and they find the ability to easily create names and numbers to be priceless. If you go this route, look for software that can arch names, create two-color names and numbers, pre-space name and number combinations, create special effects such as shadows, and handle a variety of fonts.

Full-Blown Design Program
A full-blown design program should encompass all of the aforementioned functionality and be able to output directly to your cutter. You’re getting more power specifically for apparel decoration with this type of software, so you should make sure the program meets your requirements. Look for a large clip-art library, plenty of templates, the ability to convert non-vector artwork into vector artwork, tools to create text effects, and the ability to handle names, numbers, and athletic tails.

Finally, you may want to consider Cadworxlive.net, a full-blown design program that’s virtually free. This one-of-a-kind, Web-based program outputs to your local cutter and is designed specifically for apparel.

Clearly, you have a number of great software options, ranging from simple to super-powerful. As long as you understand the features required to match the types of jobs your shop does most, you’re sure to find a program that fits you perfectly. Happy shopping!
 
Josh Ellsworth has been in the garment decoration industry for eight years, working for the past six years as an account representative for Imprintables Warehouse. He manages his own blog at joshellsworth.com, entitled Heat Press Yourself. His Web site offers weekly articles, tutorials and videos that explore that art of T-shirt decoration with a heat press.
 

An Easy Guide to Buying Software
Still not sure which software is right for your needs? Here’s a quick look at some types of programs that may work well for you, based on your level of experience.

Beginners (little or no graphic design experience)
Great choice. Stand-alone program with full-blown design capability
Good choice. CorelDraw add-on program with templates and other features
Poor choice. CorelDraw or Adobe Illustrator with a cutter driver

Intermediate (some design experience in CorelDraw or Adobe Illustrator)
Great choice. CorelDraw or Adobe Illustrator add-on program with templates and other features (supplement with stand-alone programs for specific tasks — i.e., name & number program)
Good choice. Stand-alone program with full-blown design capability
Poor choice. CorelDraw or Adobe Illustrator with a cutter driver

Expert (graphic designers)
Great choice. CorelDraw or Adobe Illustrator add-on program with templates and other features (supplement with stand-alone programs for specific tasks — i.e., name & number program)
Good choice. CorelDraw or Adobe Illustrator with a cutter driver
Poor choice. Stand-alone program with full-blown design capability

Click here to view the entire Cutters series.

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