How to create a cut line in Adobe Illustrator

Learn how to create a custom cut line in Adobe Illustrator with this simple tutorial!

Creating Custom Cut Lines in Adobe Illustrator

  1. Open Your Design:

    • Import your design file into Adobe Illustrator.
  2. Create a New Layer:

    • Create a new layer for your cut line to keep it separate from your design.
  3. Draw the Cut Line:

    • Use the Pen Tool to draw the cut line around your design.
    • Ensure the cut line is a closed path for precise cutting.
  4. Set the Stroke Color:

    • Set the stroke color to a unique color (e.g., magenta) to differentiate it from your design.
  5. Navigate to Swatches and drag your color below to create a custom 'swatch' for your cut line.
  6. Label the Cut Line:

    • Label the swatch name as 'Cut', label the color type as 'Spot' and change the color mode to CMYK to avoid confusion during the printing process.
  7. Save Your File:

    • Save your file in a print-ready format (e.g., Adobe PDF, etc) with the cut line layer included.