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Auto-Trace

When you import a raster image, StixCut automatically detects its foreground contours, simplifies them into editable curves, and creates a cut path. If no clear foreground is found, it falls back to a rectangle around the image.

If the trace is too tight or too loose, select the sticker and adjust the Cut Margin in the Inspector. Positive values push the cut path outward; negative values pull it inward. Default is 1.5 mm.

SVG Cut Path Import

To use a hand-drawn or Illustrator/Affinity-exported cutline, select the sticker placement and choose Add Path › SVG in the Inspector. The SVG paths become a precision vector cut layer attached to that sticker.

Do not use the Library import menu when you want to add a cut path to an existing sticker. Importing an SVG through the Library creates a sticker image instead.

Node Editing

Double-click a placement's cut path, or select its Cut layer and click Edit Path in the Inspector, to enter the Cut Path Editor. Drag nodes to move them, or drag the Bezier control arms to adjust the curve. Press Escape to exit. Edited paths survive document saves and undo/redo.

Kiss-Cut vs. Perf-Cut

• Kiss-cut — blade cuts through sticker film but not the backing. Stickers stay on the sheet and peel individually.
• Perf-cut — a dashed cut through the sticker and backing, so the sticker can stay on the sheet until peeled or be separated along the perforation.

Choose kiss-cut or perf-cut independently for each Cut layer in the Inspector. Set the application default for new stickers in Settings › Cut.

Perf-cut works best with simple, smooth shapes. Detailed contours and sharp corners can be harder to separate cleanly.

Peel Tabs

When perf-cut is enabled, you can add a peel tab — a small notch cut into the backing that makes the sticker easy to pop off.

• Default radius: 4 mm (max 8 mm)
• Position offset: -200 mm to +200 mm along the cut edge
• A PEEL icon prints on the sheet to mark the tab

Cut Safety Margins

StixCut shows the active safety margin as a dashed border inside the sheet edge. The margin is configurable in Settings › Cut, and any cut geometry that crosses it is flagged before printing.

Manual Placement

• Drag a sticker from the Library sidebar onto the canvas sheet to place it.
• Double-click a library item to place it at the center of the sheet.
• Drag corner handles to resize; drag the rotation handle above the selection to rotate.
• Hold ⌥ while dragging a resize handle to temporarily override the locked aspect ratio.
• Hold ⇧ while rotating to snap to 15° increments.
• Hold ⌥ and drag a placement to duplicate it.
• Press ⌘D to duplicate the selected placement.
• ⌘-click to multi-select, then use the alignment grid in the Inspector.

Auto-Pack

Auto-Pack arranges stickers to minimize wasted space while honoring your sticker gap and margin settings. Use Edit › Auto-Pack Sheet or the Auto-Pack Sheet control in the Inspector. Use Shuffle Pack to re-roll the arrangement. Run Auto-Pack again to cycle through remaining Library items.

Templates

Templates are saved as .stixtpl files. They preserve the sheet layout, background, cut settings, and cutlines, but replace sticker artwork with placeholders for the next user.

• Use File › Save as Template to export the current sheet as a template.
• Open a template to start in locked mode, so cutlines stay fixed while images can be replaced.
• Double-click a placeholder image to choose new artwork while keeping the original cut path.
• Use templates for repeatable formats like card skins, phone skins, labels, and branded sheet layouts.

Media Types & Sheet Size

• Print & Cut — prints the artwork, then sends the configured cut layers.
• Print Only — prints the raster artwork without sending a cut job.
• Custom — set your own dimensions and choose whether the media supports cutting.

Pan & Zoom

• Zoom: ⌘+ / ⌘- or pinch on trackpad
• Fit to window: ⌘0   Actual size: ⌘1
• Pan: Space + drag, or two-finger drag on trackpad

Blade Pressure

Set in Settings › Cut. Pressure is a 1-100 scale; higher drives the blade deeper.

Cut Margin

Offsets the cut path outward from the traced image edge. Positive = bleed; negative = tucks inside.

Perf-Cut Dash Settings

Longer dashes tear more cleanly. Shorter dashes produce a finer perforation.

Material Profiles

The built-in Oracal 651 profile works well for most glossy vinyl. Create custom profiles in Settings › General under Custom Media Types — each stores its own dimensions, cut support flag, and name.

Activating Your License

After purchasing Monthly ($5/mo) or Lifetime ($89), you'll receive a license key by email. Open StixCut, go to Settings › License, and enter the key. Lifetime activation works offline. Monthly activation requires internet to validate your subscription.

Crafter (Free Tier)

StixCut is free to download and use forever as Crafter. You get full access to every feature with unlimited printing for the first 7 days. After that, printing is limited to 3 jobs per day — no card required, no expiry.

How Many Machines?

Each license allows three activations per year for that individual license holder's use. Licenses work with either the macOS or Windows app. if you need to activate more than three devices per year, email [email protected] for details.

Refunds

Email [email protected] within 30 days of purchase with your order number. Full refund, no questions asked.