How to use the ScanNCut DX Test Cut Feature to Perfectly Cut Vinyl with Ease

Supplies:

• ScanNCut DX
• Standard Mat
• Vinyl Blade
• Adhesive-Backed Vinyl
• Optional: Brother Hook Tool

Before cutting vinyl, take the time to do a Test Cut with your ScanNCut DX machine in order to ensure that the settings are correct and that your vinyl will weed exactly as expected. Test Cutting is the process of tweaking and refining settings to get the perfect outcome.

In this tutorial video, I show you precisely how to use the Test Cut feature when cutting vinyl. The example I use in the video is adhesive-backed vinyl, but this technique will work for heat transfer vinyl (HTV) as well!

Here are some important tips to take away from the video tutorial:

When cutting adhesive-backed vinyl and heat transfer vinyl (HTV), you only want to cut through two layers—the color layer and the adhesive layer. You don't want to cut through the paper backing for adhesive-backed vinyl or the transfer sheet for heat transfer vinyl.

The ScanNCut DX machine offers a vinyl-cutting feature called Half Cut. This feature allows you to instruct the Auto Blade to cut halfway through the material. However, since most of the vinyl we cut is three layers and we want to cut through just two layers, halfway isn’t quite right. Therefore, a Test Cut is often necessary to ensure the settings are correct to cut through two layers.

Test Cutting makes the vinyl cutting process significantly easier. It gives you the ability to check, double-check, and triple-check to make sure that the cut is exactly as you want, giving you the confidence to know that you’ll get the results you want every single time. It allows you to experiment with different vinyl types without any fear of wasting precious material.

As you saw in the video, with a few simple steps, you can master vinyl cutting on your ScanNCut DX machine and create intricate designs with speed, accuracy, and reliability. You can use the Test Cut feature when creating custom decals, stickers, signs, and so much more.

Test cutting is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to master the art of cutting vinyl, and it truly does make the process of cutting vinyl simple and incredibly satisfying. With careful settings and attention to detail, you can get fantastic results time after time and create something truly unique and special. I hope you’ll give it a try!