# Cut Lines & Dielines (CutContour)

A Spot Swatch named CutContour tells the cutter where to go.

Printdash artwork guideline. Illustrated version: https://printdash.io/artwork-guidelines#dieline

*(Diagram: dieline - see the illustrated version at https://printdash.io/artwork-guidelines)*

Products cut to a custom shape need a **Cut Line** in the artwork: a vector path on a Spot Colour swatch named exactly `CutContour`. The cutter follows that path. The swatch's colour does not matter (magenta is the convention) - its **name** is what our system and the cutter look for.

### Setting up the swatch

1. Create a new swatch: type **Spot Color**, named `CutContour`, any colour (100% magenta by convention).
2. Draw the cut shape as a single, closed vector path. Apply the CutContour swatch as a **Stroke** (0.25pt) with **No Fill**.
3. Set the Stroke to **Overprint** (Window → Attributes in Illustrator; Window → Output → Attributes in InDesign) so it marks the cut without knocking a hole in the artwork beneath.
4. Leave the path in position over the artwork, on the same page. Keep it on its own layer named `CutContour` so it is easy to find.

### Designing to the cut

- Run backgrounds **3mm past the Cut Line** - the same idea as Bleed on a rectangular product.
- Keep text and important detail **2mm inside** the Cut Line.
- Avoid sharp inner corners and fine spikes. A minimum corner radius of about 2mm cuts cleanly.
- One outer shape per sticker. Holes (like a hang-tag hole) are fine as a second closed path in the same swatch.

> **Note:** **Die Cut** cuts through the vinyl and the backing - the product is the shape. **Kiss Cut** cuts only the vinyl, leaving a rectangular backing with a small margin to peel from. Both use the same CutContour path.