Sahlin Studio | Digital Scrapbooking Designs

How to Create Cut Files from Pattern Papers or Templates

Hello Lovelies! It’s Theresa here, and lately I have been creating some really fun layouts using patterned papers and digital templates as CUT FILES! This is a really cool way to stretch your digital supplies and makes for some really beautiful layouts. So today I am going to share two different processes of converting both a digital paper and a template into Cut Files.

How to Create Cut Files from Pattern Papers or Templates - TUTORIAL

Using Digital Pattern Paper to Create a Cut File

This is a recent layout I created using a patterned paper from the Project Mouse Wilderness collection. When using a patterned paper as a cut file, selecting a good paper can be the difference between success and starting over again. Be sure to choose papers that have a very definitive pattern repeat. I chose this one because it is very symmetrical and will cut a distinct pattern in the cutting machine!

Sahlin Studio CT Theresa Moxley | Converting Template or Patterned Paper to Cut Files

Let’s go step by step in this process.

Step 1: Creating an Image with Contrast

Open up your patterned paper in Photoshop. I am using the Creative Cloud (CC) version, but you should be able to do this in Elements as well. I am using a patterned paper from the Project Mouse Wilderness collection.

Sahlin Studio CT Theresa Moxley | Converting Template or Patterned Paper to Cut Files

In the Adjustments Layer, click on the icon for Black & White. This is a sort of black and white filter that changes the colors of your image to black, white, and gray scale. We are doing this simply to create a stark contrast.

Sahlin Studio CT Theresa Moxley | Converting Template or Patterned Paper to Cut Files

Also in the Black & White Adjustment layer, you will find slider bars for each individual color represented from the color wheel. Move the sliders as you need to in order to create as much contrast as possible. It does not have to be perfect, we just want a good contrast between the pattern and the background so the cutting machine will recognize the shapes.

Sahlin Studio CT Theresa Moxley | Converting Template or Patterned Paper to Cut Files

 

Step 2: Create the Cut File

Once we have the image converted to Black & White, save your image as a new file, and then open the new image in your cutting machine. I am using the Silhouette Cameo.

Sahlin Studio CT Theresa Moxley | Converting Template or Patterned Paper to Cut Files

In your cutting machine software, select the Trace menu and click on the Trace button. Select the entire image by dragging across the entire canvas. I have also left a 1/4″ border on all sides, simply by grabbing a corner and dragging it to a smaller size on the sheet.

Sahlin Studio CT Theresa Moxley | Converting Template or Patterned Paper to Cut Files

When you select your Trace you will probably see that some portions of your image are not fully highlighted. So first let’s turn off the High Pass filter. It may help a bit, but we probably still need to do a bit more tweaking.

Sahlin Studio CT Theresa Moxley | Converting Template or Patterned Paper to Cut Files

Also click on the Low Pass filter and bump that up a bit. Be careful to not bump it up too much, or else you will distort your cutting images. You should now have a set of red lines on your canvas that can now be sent to the cutting machine and cut!

Sahlin Studio CT Theresa Moxley | Converting Template or Patterned Paper to Cut Files

 

Using Digital Template to Create a Cut File

Now let’s do the same thing, only with a Digital Template. I am using the September 2018 Monthly Template, and the process will look much the same.

Step 1: Creating an Image with Contrast

Open your template in Photoshop. I recommend opening the PSD format so you have the ability to manipulate layers as you wish.

 

Sahlin Studio CT Theresa Moxley | Converting Template or Patterned Paper to Cut Files

At this stage you will want to Hide or Delete any unnecessary layers, such as photos, text, or other layers that don’t need to be cut out. You can also at this stage recolor any layers if you would like. In the end you just want stark contrast.

Sahlin Studio CT Theresa Moxley | Converting Template or Patterned Paper to Cut Files

Still in the Layers menu and one Layer above the Background, add a new Layer and fill it with white or a contrasting color to your elements.

Sahlin Studio CT Theresa Moxley | Converting Template or Patterned Paper to Cut Files

Once you have your Layers all set, Flatten your image. At this point you will want to be sure to Save your image as well, making sure to save as a New File so you don’t overwrite your original.

Sahlin Studio CT Theresa Moxley | Converting Template or Patterned Paper to Cut Files

If you did not convert your Layers, then you will want to Convert the entire image to Black & White like we did for the patterned paper. Go to Adjustments > Black & White > Adjust sliders.

Sahlin Studio CT Theresa Moxley | Converting Template or Patterned Paper to Cut Files

 

Step 2: Create the Cut File

Now you can open your saved image in your cutting machine software, and just like we did before, select the Trace menu.

Sahlin Studio CT Theresa Moxley | Converting Template or Patterned Paper to Cut Files

Now your image is ready to Cut!

Sahlin Studio CT Theresa Moxley | Converting Template or Patterned Paper to Cut Files

For this layout I cut my template from light blue card stock and then punched my circles using a circle punch. There are lots of ways you can fill your circles, but this one seemed to be a fairly quick and simple way to do it.

Sahlin Studio CT Theresa Moxley | Converting Template or Patterned Paper to Cut Files

 

Video of Layout Process

I also have a tutorial video, if you love learning new tricks that way.

Thank you so much for joining me today!

Products Used in this post:

Simplify | Scrapbook Kit by Sahlin Studio - Perfect for your Project Life albums!

Sahlin Studio Simplify Patterned Papers

Project Mouse (Wilderness): Papers by Britt-ish Designs and Sahlin Studio - Perfect for scrapbooking your travels in the wilderness camping, At Wilderness Lodge, Merida Brave, Pocahontas or Chip and Dale in your Project Life albums!!

Sahlin Studio Wilderness Patterned Papers

Project Mouse (Wilderness): Elements by Britt-ish Designs and Sahlin Studio - Perfect for scrapbooking your travels in the wilderness camping, At Wilderness Lodge, Merida Brave, Pocahontas or Chip and Dale in your Project Life albums!!

Sahlin Studio Wilderness Elements

Other Products in this post: Sahlin Studio Simplify Patterned Papers; Sahlin Studio Project Mouse Wilderness Patterned Papers; Sahlin Studio Project Mouse Wilderness Elements. Freckled Fawn (cork leaves, chipboard elements, rubber embellishments); Simple Stories (chipboard embellishments); Studio Calico (chipboard embellishments).

Comments

  • Great ideas, both, Theresa! Love to see ways to reuse the thousands of digi supplies I have acquired over the years. Thanks for sharing.