Illustrator is a 2D vector design program that we can use in the Innovation Center to make laser cut files and vinyl cut files. Vector images use lines instead of pixels, which makes it easier to enlarge without it looking all fuzzy.
This is the Illustrator file for my laser cut key-chain.
This is my Illustrator file for the vinyl cutter.
Steps For Laser
Click this link to go to a step-by-step process on how to use the laser.
Finished Keychain
Steps For Vinyl
Step One
After the machine is done cutting out your vinyl, tear off the excess colored material at a 45 degree angle. The letters should stay on the the back paper. You can use a dental pick to ensure that the letters stay on the paper. If you have any letters with holes, a or e for example, you need to go back and get take out the vinyl in those.
Step Two
For this, you use the big tape of clear tape to take the letter off of the paper. You roll out the tape, put the vinyl on it, letters facing the tape. After this, you can cut it off the roll of tape, and squeegee it so everything is flat and there aren't any air bubbles left.
Step Three
Cut out all the extra tape and paper that you have so it is only the text or image that you have.
Step Four
Take the paper off the back so the text and the adhesive material is the only thing you have. Put the "sticker" on the where you want to stick it. Squeegee the sticker so there aren't any air bubbles left. After you do this take the tape off and you are good. You should have text of image sticking to where you want it for up to the next 5 years.
Finished Vinyl
I learned a bunch of knew things during this introduction to Illustrator and vinyl and laser cutting. I learned that Illustrator is like Photoshop and other Adobe programs, but deals with vector images instead of pixel images. I learned that vinyl is basically what a car sticker is. I can know make my own car sticker when I get to that individual project station. I learned about laser cutting and how if you don't turn on the exhaust, you could be in debt to the school because the laser is very expensive.