Vinyl Cutting

The vinyl cutter allows students to create custom vinyl stickers in a variety of sizes and colours.

MacEwan University community members can use the vinyl cutter and supplied vinyl for free.

The vinyl cutter is located in the Makerspace (6-201V) and can be accessed during Makerspace hours. 

How Does it Work?

The process of creating a vinyl sticker is simple. It involves:

  • Selecting an image
  • Preparing the image for cutting using Silhouette Studio
  • Loading and cutting the vinyl
  • Removing any excess vinyl 
  • Applying the vinyl to a surface

For more detailed instructions, we’ve created a step-by-step guide here. 

What Can I Cut?

A variety of vinyl is available in the Makerspace for student use, but the cutter can also handle other materials that you can bring yourself. Check with the Makerspace tutors to ensure your material is compatible with the machine before cutting!

Some of the common materials the Silhouette Cameo 4 can cut include:

  • vinyl (adhesive, permanent, heat transfer, stencil, window cling, glitter, dry erase, chalkboard, holographic)
  • paper (printer, photo, crepe, washi, vellum, specialty patterned, freezer, wax, construction)
  • cardstock and matboard (up to 2mm thick)
  • fabric (with the appropriate iron-on interfacing)

 

Portable Vinyl Cutter

The Makerspace also has a portable vinyl cutter, the Silhouette Portrait 3, that can be borrowed from the Library Services desk for 3 days at a time. More information on loanable Makerspace items is here. 

Laser Cutter

 

The Makerspace has an Xtool S1 laser cutter, which allows users to cut or engrave various materials with great detail. 

MacEwan University community members can use the laser cutter for free but must bring in their own materials to cut/engrave. The Makerspace will provide users with a metal business card to try out the laser cutter before they need to buy the material. 

The vinyl cutter is located in the Makerspace (6-201V) and can be accessed during Makerspace hours. 

How Does it Work?

  • Select your material. The Makerspace will provide users with a metal business card to try out, but the user will need to bring in any other material. The Xtool S1 has a cutting area of 19.6"× 12.5", and can cut up to a thickness of 10mm. Here is a list of materials that the laser cutter can work with:
    • It can cut:
      • Paper
      • Wood
      • MDF
      • Leather
      • Felt
      • Opaque Acrylic
    • It can engrave:
      • Stainless steel
      • Dark glass
      • Wood
      • Leather
      • Fabric
      • Ceramic
      • Shale
      • Marble
      • Cement
      • Brick
      • Painted metal
    • The Makerspace will not engrave directly onto any electronic devices. 
  • If you're engraving, find an image or design you want to engrave. If you're unsure about what types of files work well with engraving, feel free to come in during our open hours, and we can help you find a design that will work. 
  • Bring your material and image/design into the Makerspace. You can bring your image file in on a USB drive or have it saved to a cloud-based storage system (Google Drive, for example). Most image file types work with the Xtool software. If you'd like to try this software out before coming in to use the laser cutter, you can do it for free here. 
  • Prepare the image for cutting/engraving. Tutors will help you use cutting software to prepare your object. The laser cutter will always be used under tutor supervision. 
  • DISCLAIMER: There is a potential risk of damage to any original material; laser cutter users assume this risk.