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braydens
Participant
April 18, 2017
Answered

New and Confused

  • April 18, 2017
  • 1 reply
  • 349 views

Hi, I am 14 years old and need some help. I am trying to learn Illustrator and just downloaded it. The main screen asks to create something new or choose a file. When I click on something new it gives me a new document screen with tons of things to pick. I have no idea what to pick and I can't find anything that fits. I am trying to learn how to make my own stencils and I want to be able to print 4 stencils at a time on a 12x12 piece of plastic. What do I pick for this project?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Monika Gause

    OK. Then you will need to read the documentation of that plotter in order to find out how exactly files need to be set up. What's important:

    - color mode

    - how to build objects. minimum stroke width, how to tell the plotter which lines to cut exactly how? Some are based on layers, some are based on path names, some are based on colors

    - how to operate the printing itself: file format to save or maybe you can send files to the printer via a printer driver.

    Getting some training might not be a bad idea.

    1 reply

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    April 18, 2017

    Hello and welcome!

    That's an ambitious project :-)

    Do you print them yourself?

    And if your  don't: Do you have any specifications for the files you need to hand a service provider?

    You can change all the settings later (also the size). What would be important: which color mode does the service provider ask for? Would be a little complicated to change that later, but is possbile as well.

    braydens
    braydensAuthor
    Participant
    April 18, 2017

    My mom bought me a plotter to try and start my own business. I want to be able to make the stencils and have them print on the plotter to cut. I don't know what specifications I would need. The plastic is a 12x12 sheet size that would fit 4- 5.5x5.5 inch square stencils. O'm not sure what you mean by service provider. I think I just need everything in black if youre talking about writing or the image. She said maybe getting a tutor but I wanna try myself.

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    April 18, 2017

    OK. Then you will need to read the documentation of that plotter in order to find out how exactly files need to be set up. What's important:

    - color mode

    - how to build objects. minimum stroke width, how to tell the plotter which lines to cut exactly how? Some are based on layers, some are based on path names, some are based on colors

    - how to operate the printing itself: file format to save or maybe you can send files to the printer via a printer driver.

    Getting some training might not be a bad idea.