How to create an SVG cut file
Creating an SVG cut file is super simple and can take just a few minutes or less. An SVG file stands for Scalable Vector Graphics. It is a file that are readable by cutting softwares such as Sure Cuts A Lot, VinylMaster Cut, and those used by Cricut and Silhoutte cutters. Vinyl cutters require this type of file to know how to read the shape of the vector file for cutting.
We will be focusing on making an SVG file in Adobe Illustrator. Don’t worry if you don’t have Illustrator yet, there are other options out there such as Inkscape, CorelDRAW, InVue or software that may come with your cutter. Because I use Illustrator exclusively, that is what I will be using for this tutorial.
Below are step-by-step instructions on how to create an SVG file with screenshots. Or scroll to the bottom for a video tutorial (my first one!).
Open a new document
First things first, open a new document in Adobe Illustrator. If you’re on the illustrator opening screen, click “Create new…” or go to File > New. Next, you’ll have a window come up to choose your document size and color mode. To make things easy, click the preset “Letter” to open a standard paper-size document. For the color mode, creating a CMYK or RGB document doesn’t really matter because once it’s saved as an SVG file, it only stores hex color values which are RGB colors anyway. Now click “Create”.
Create your design
Now it’s the fun part; create your design. Maybe you already have one made, and if that’s the case, skip to the next part. For this example, I am wanting to create a small motivational decal sticker with my vinyl cutter to go on my computer. It will be a text shape that says “get it girl” cuz this girl has goals!
Select the Type Tool in the tools panel or use the shortcut “T” on your keyboard. Within the document, click and type out “get it girl”. Under the character panel (if you don’t have this open go to Window > Type > Character), or depending on how your screen is set up, it may be at the top menu bar. Select the font you want to use. I’m using “Little Missy” font. Adjust the font size with the character panel. Alternatively, you can click and drag the handles of the text you just created, just make sure the Selection Tool (V) is selected to do this. As you increase the size with the handles, BE SURE to hold down the “shift” key to constrain the proportions. Neglect to do this and the proportions can be altered and make your text look distorted and weird. Because I’ll be cutting mine for my computer to go on a small space, I made my text shape at 4 inches wide.
Outline & Unite Fonts or Overlapping Shapes
Now you’ll need to outline the font. It’s super important to do this because editable text cannot be preserved in a cutting software, so it needs to be made into a shape that your cutter can read correctly. There are a few ways your can do this:
1: Go to Type > Create Outlines
2: Go to Object > Expand. With Object and Fill boxes selected, click OK.
3: Use the Create Outlines keyboard shortcut: Shift Command O
Either way will work all the same! Now that your text is outlined, if you zoom in (Command + Spacebar), you’ll see the paths of the text. If you have a script font like I do, you’ll see that the letters are merging into each other. Keeping the file like this will result in the cutter cutting it like this, which in all honesty, will make you look like a total rookie. You’ll want to blend those letters together with the Pathfinder panel. OR if you are creating a design with overlapping elements of shapes then it will need to united as well. If it’s not already an option on your window to open, go to Window > Pathfinder. With the panel open, under the Shape Modes, click on the first option; Unite.
Bottom: the outlines text is united
Saving as an SVG file
Go to File > Save As
In the Save As window, name your file and navigate to where you’d like it saved to on your computer. At the bottom select the format and choose SVG (svg). Click “Save”. An SVG Options window comes up. I have the default selections made, and that has always done what it needs to do for me. Click “OK” and you’re done!
Congrats! You’ve just created an SVG cut file! Now you’re ready to import that sparkly new design file into your cutting software, or maybe even sell it as a digital download online! As you can see, creating an SVG file in Adobe Illustrator is super easy and quick!
