Print & Cut Co. Help Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear answers about production methods, artwork requirements, materials, turnaround times, ordering, shipping, and what to expect after you submit your files.
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Answers Before You Order
Print & Cut Co. is a production partner for growing product businesses. We manufacture unfinished components and products by the sheet so customers can order only what they need without traditional manufacturing minimums.
Ordering & Getting Started
Questions about minimums, choosing services, ordering by the sheet, and submitting a project.
What is Print & Cut Co.?
Print & Cut Co. is a production partner for product-based businesses. We provide UV printing, laser cutting, Print & Cut, and laser engraving services on materials such as acrylic, leatherette, wood, metal, and specialty substrates.
We produce unfinished components so customers can assemble, package, customize, or sell the finished products under their own brand.
Is there a minimum order quantity?
There is no traditional piece-count minimum. Most production services are sold by the sheet, so the minimum purchase is generally one sheet in the selected size and production method.
How do I know which production method to choose?
- Print Only: Use this when you need artwork printed onto a material without laser cutting.
- Cut Only: Use this when you need blank shapes or components cut from material.
- Print & Cut: Use this when artwork must be printed first and then precision cut to shape.
- Engrave & Cut: Use this when artwork should be laser engraved and the item cut to shape.
Can I order a custom shape or size?
Yes. Custom shapes and sizes are available when the file is prepared correctly for the selected production method. The product page will show the available material, sheet size, and file-upload requirements.
Do you offer finished products?
Print & Cut Co. primarily supplies unfinished manufactured components. Unless a product listing specifically states otherwise, hardware, assembly, packaging, stitching, and final retail finishing are not included.
Can you help me decide what to order?
Yes. Review the Academy and Resource Library first, then contact the team with the intended product, material, dimensions, production method, and expected quantity. The more complete the project information is, the easier it is to recommend the correct option.
Production Methods
Questions about printing, cutting, engraving, Print & Cut, and what each service includes.
What is UV printing?
UV printing applies ink directly to a material and cures it immediately with ultraviolet light. It can produce full-color artwork, white ink, and selected specialty finishes on compatible substrates.
What is Print & Cut?
Print & Cut is a two-stage process. Artwork is first UV printed onto the sheet, then the sheet is aligned and laser cut using a separate vector cut file. Both files must use the same canvas size and matching registration marks.
What is the difference between laser cutting and laser engraving?
Laser cutting follows vector paths through the material to create shapes or components. Laser engraving removes or changes the surface of the material to create artwork, text, or texture without cutting fully through the sheet.
Can you print white ink?
Yes, on compatible products and materials. White ink must be included as a clearly labeled layer in the artwork when required. White ink may be used as an underbase, a visible printed element, or both depending on the project.
Can you add spot gloss?
Spot gloss may be available for compatible products and production methods. A clearly labeled spot-gloss layer must be included in the artwork, and the product listing must allow that option.
Will the finished color exactly match my screen?
Screen colors and printed colors can differ because screens display RGB light while production artwork is printed in CMYK. Material color, transparency, white ink, finish, and lighting can also change the final appearance.
Artwork & File Setup
Questions about accepted files, resolution, cut lines, registration marks, sizing, and artwork review.
What file types do you accept?
Accepted file types depend on the production method. Print artwork may be accepted in formats such as EPS, PDF, or high-resolution JPEG. Laser cutting requires a vector PDF. Always follow the requirements listed on the specific product page.
What resolution should my print artwork be?
Raster artwork should be 300 DPI at the final production size. Enlarging a low-resolution file does not improve quality and may result in blurry or pixelated printing.
What color mode should I use?
Print artwork should be prepared in CMYK color mode. Cut lines should be CMYK red. Registration marks should be CMYK black.
How should cut lines be prepared?
Cut lines must be closed vector paths in CMYK red. A 1 pt stroke is acceptable. Cut paths should not contain fills, gradients, raster effects, or open endpoints.
What are the registration-mark requirements?
Registration marks should be .25-inch diameter rounds in CMYK black. They must appear in the same location on both the print and cut files and should always sit outside the print area.
Do my print and cut files need to be the same size?
Yes. For Print & Cut, the print file and cut file must use the exact same canvas size. Registration marks must also match exactly between both files.
Should fonts be outlined?
Yes. Convert all text to outlines or embed the fonts before submitting the file. Missing fonts may change the appearance of the artwork or prevent the file from opening correctly.
Will you fix or redesign my artwork?
Orders should be submitted with production-ready artwork. Minor file review may identify obvious production issues, but redesign, vectorization, layout correction, and extensive file preparation are not automatically included unless specifically offered as a separate service.
Materials & Product Options
Questions about materials, sheet sizes, thicknesses, samples, and product-specific requirements.
Which materials can you print or cut?
Available materials vary by service and may include acrylic, leatherette, Velora, wood, metal, two-tone materials, and other specialty substrates. Each product page lists the compatible material choices.
How do I choose the right material?
Consider the intended use, appearance, flexibility, thickness, durability, finishing method, and production process. Some materials are better for printing, while others are better for engraving or structural applications.
What sheet sizes are available?
Common production sizes include 12×18, 18×24, 24×36, and 24×48 inches. Available sizes vary by material, equipment, and product listing.
Are material thicknesses exact?
Material thicknesses are generally nominal and may vary slightly by manufacturer, color, finish, and production batch. Designs that depend on tight slots, tabs, or press-fit assembly should allow for normal thickness variation.
Can I order material samples?
Sample availability depends on the material and current offerings. When available, samples are the best way to evaluate color, finish, thickness, flexibility, and print appearance before placing a larger production order.
Do hat patches include adhesive backing?
Hat patches produced through the designated hat-patch products are backed with Hydbond adhesive unless the product listing states otherwise. Hardware, stitching, and application are not included unless specifically listed.
Turnaround & Production Timing
Questions about processing times, file issues, rush requests, and what may delay an order.
How long will my order take?
Turnaround varies by product, service, material availability, order size, and current production volume. The estimated processing time shown on the product page begins after the order and production-ready files are received.
When does production time begin?
Production time begins when the order is complete, payment is received, all required files are available, and the artwork is ready for production. Missing files, incorrect artwork, or unanswered questions may place the order on hold.
What can delay my order?
- Missing or inaccessible artwork
- Incorrect file types
- Low-resolution images
- Missing cut files or registration marks
- Unclear order notes
- Material availability
- Customer approval or response delays
Do you offer rush production?
Rush availability is not guaranteed and depends on the product, current production schedule, material availability, and project complexity. Contact the team before ordering if the project has a firm deadline.
Can you guarantee a delivery date?
Production estimates and carrier transit times are not the same as guaranteed delivery dates. Once a package leaves the facility, transit is controlled by the shipping carrier. Order early when a project is tied to an event or customer deadline.
Shipping, Damage & Order Issues
Questions about shipping, tracking, damage, missing items, and reporting a problem.
How will I know when my order ships?
A shipping confirmation and tracking information will be sent when the package is prepared for carrier pickup. Tracking may take additional time to update after the label is created.
What should I do if my package arrives damaged?
Contact the team promptly with the order number, photos of the packaging, photos of the damaged items, and a description of the issue. Keep the product and packaging available while the claim is reviewed.
What should I do if something is missing or incorrect?
Contact the team with the order number, the affected item, quantity, and clear photos when applicable. Reporting complete details helps the team review the order and determine the appropriate next step.
Can I change or cancel an order after it is placed?
Changes and cancellations are not guaranteed once files have entered review or production. Contact the team immediately. Applicable cancellation fees or production costs may apply based on the status of the order.
Can custom-produced items be returned?
Custom-manufactured products are generally produced specifically for the submitted order and may not be eligible for standard returns. Contact the team with the order details if there is a production concern or suspected defect.
Still Need Help?
Send Us the Project Details
Include the product you are making, material, dimensions, production method, quantity, deadline, and any available artwork so the team can provide the most useful response.