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Shape Cut: add a black cut shape to your print file

What Shape Cut is

Some Print Providers need a solid black version of your design in the print file. Their cutting machine reads that black shape to know where to cut. This is common for multi-layer products such as acrylic plaques, standees and ornaments.

Shape Cut creates that black shape of the design automatically, from the layer you apply it to. If the buyer picks a different clipart, the black shape automatically changes to match.
The black shape only appears in the final print file. Buyers never see it on the mockup or live preview.

Before Shape Cut, you had two slow options:

Cliparts: upload a black version of every clipart, then build a layer and a condition for each one. With 100 cliparts, that is 100 extra layers and 100 conditions to manage.
Photo upload: wait for the order, then manually edit the design to draw the black shape around whatever the buyer uploaded.

With Shape Cut, you set it once on the layer, and it works for every clipart and every uploaded photo.

How to set it up

Open Artwork editor.
Select the layer you want a cut shape for.
In the layer toolbar, click Shape Cut.

Choose a Layout ratio (for example 1:1, 1:3, 1:4).

A layout splits your design area into equal parts, and the black shape is placed symmetrically across those parts. The layout you choose applies to every layer in the same template. You can't give each layer its own Shape Cut layout.

Once you've selected the layout, continue to select where you want to place the black shape:

Click Save.

From now on, every print file generated for this campaign includes the black cut shape.

You can also select multiple layers at once when using the Shape Cut feature

Notes:

The black shape always sits on top. In the print file, the cut shape is rendered above every other layer. This is what cutting machines expect.
It won't show on your mockup. If you preview the campaign and don't see a black shape, that is correct. Check the print file from a real order instead.
One layout per template. You can't mix different layouts inside the same artwork template.
Check with your print provider first. Not every provider needs a cut shape, and some want a specific layout. You should always inquire your providers' requirements first.

Frequently asked questions

Does the buyer see the black shape?

No. Mockup and live preview show the normal design only.

What if the buyer changes the clipart?

The black shape updates automatically to match whatever they picked.

Which layers support Shape Cut?

At the moment, Teeinblue supports Clipart layers and Photo Upload layers.

Updated on: 22/07/2026

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