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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

Go to Teeinblue Portal > Artworks > open an Artwork > select the Layer > click its pencil icon to edit > Print Effects in the editor toolbar. If the existing layout opens directly, click Layouts to return to the layout picker.

In Teeinblue Portal > Artworks > open an Artwork > edit the Layer > Print Effects, choose a layout: 1×2, 1×3, 1×4, 2×1, or 2×3. The numbers represent rows × columns. For example, 1×2 places two cells side by side, while 2×1 stacks them vertically.

The layout applies to the Layers in the same template. Use the layout required by your print provider; you cannot give each Layer a different layout within that template.

In Teeinblue Portal > Artworks > open an Artwork > edit the Layer > Print Effects > select a layout, choose Cut. Click the grid cells where you want the black cut shape to appear. A scissors icon marks a cell with the Cut effect. Check the shape-cut count below the grid.

Cut creates the black cut shape described in this article. Emboss is a separate effect in the same panel; choose Cut for these instructions.

In Teeinblue Portal > Artworks > open an Artwork > edit the Layer > Print Effects > select a layout, click Apply layout. Then click Save & Close at the top of the Artwork editor to save your changes.

Effect layers are production guides for your print provider and appear in the Order Design. Check the generated print file before fulfillment; the storefront mockup and live preview do not show the black cut shape.

Use a custom layout

Go to Teeinblue Portal > Artworks > open an Artwork > edit the Layer > Print Effects > Layouts > Customize. If the layout picker is already open, click Customize directly.
In Teeinblue Portal > Artworks > open an Artwork > edit the Layer > Print Effects > Customize, set Rows and Columns. Choose Cut, then click the cells where you want the black shape to appear.

In Teeinblue Portal > Artworks > open an Artwork > edit the Layer > Print Effects > Customize, click Apply layout, then Save & Close in the Artwork editor.

Change an existing layout

Go to Teeinblue Portal > Artworks > open an Artwork > edit the Layer > Print Effects > Layouts to return to the layout picker. Choose the required layout, select Cut and its cells, then click Apply layout > Save & Close.

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: 26/09/2026

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