Print Then Cut A3 paper support

Hello, new iCraft owner here.

While I have successfully performed Print Then Cut with A4 paper, I would like to do with A3 paper as well, combined with my 30,5 x 61 cm matt. So far, I haven’t figured out how to do it, and Google search hasn’t provided any help. Is there support for A3? If not, are there any plans to be implemented in the future?

Thank you

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Hello and welcome :hugs:
As far as I’m aware there is only the A4 print and cut option. But maybe @Samantha_Bryant or @BellethehowtoGuru can give you some more information on this topic.

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Hello @MeletisKonstas! :wave::smiley: Welcome to the community! We’re happy you’ve joined us. Congratulations on your new machine!

The cutters are really only setup for A4 and US Letter. However, I think there could be a workaround for you. I suggest using @timmytation’s registration marks template, then using the square shape by sizing it on the canvas to the size of an A3 sheet of paper, so you can arrange your images on that. Once you’re finished arranging to fit the square, click make, and place your square and images on the canvas, inside the registration marks template. Then, click only your images that you want cut out and set the parameters for that, ignore the square shape, make sure it’s not checked. Print the PTC registration marks template, and stick it to your mat. Place the A3 sheet of paper onto the mat in the same place your square was. Then try cutting it that way. Make sure to test this method, first, with plain paper cut to A3 size. I hope that makes sense. If it does, and you can get it to work, let me know, as it may help others do the same. :smiley::+1: Good luck!

@timmytation, could you share a link to your post for the PTC registration marks template? I can’t find it, but I know you did a video on it, right?

Thanks, @Nat_Wen, for tagging me. :heart:

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Thank you for the advice! I will try it and will let you know.

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You’re so very welcome! Hope it works! I’ll be looking forward to hearing back from you. :smiley::+1::heart:

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To get a registration marks template, just cut out a square — inside the registration marks — from an old printout that has the registration marks on it. Just leave the registration marks on the sheet, and use it as a cheat to make the machine think you have them on your sticker sheet.

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You can print a blank registration marks sheet like this to put on top of your design. To print a sheet with only the registration marks, on a blank canvas just click on the box to view the registration marks then hit Ctrl+P.

My video hack can be seen here
Full page print and cut hack

I’m guessing this will work on a3 but you need to use a program like photoshop or affinity to layout ang print your design since only a4 and letter can be selected as paper size in Idea Studio. Make sure to use the registration marks as guide. The registration marks can be saved by hitting Ctrl+P but instead of printing immediately, you need to choose print as PDF.

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I printed this on 220 gsm calling card paper so it’s more sturdy and reusable and more opaque than regular copy or bond paper

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Thank you for your reply!

I saw your video, but I have a question: unloading the mat to remove the registration marks, and re-loading it again doesn’t mess up the allignment?

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You need to remove it carefully.

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So you start the cutting job, let it read the markers, hit pause as soon as it is ready to start cutting, then remove the markers, reload, hit resume, done?

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Thank you, @timmytation, for the assist and sharing the video link. :heart:

@MeletisKonstas Since my Crafter never could read the registration marks, I actually did a print then cut without registration marks, at all.

1. Print your design outside the software

Print your image using another program (not inside the IS).

2. Upload the printed design into the software

Upload the same image file you printed into the software.

3. Remove the background

Use the software tools to erase or remove the background so only the design remains.

4. Add an offset

Create an offset around your design (this will be the cut line).

5. Place your printed sheet on the mat

  • Put your already-printed sheet on the cutting mat.
  • Align it in the top-left corner of the mat.

6. Match the mat position on the Make screen

On the Make (cut) screen, move your design so it sits in the same place as your real print—top-left area of the virtual mat.

7. Check the cutting area

Make sure the entire printed design and its offset are inside the cutting area (red lines) on the screen.

8. Cut only the offset

Send it to cut, choosing to cut just the offset shape (no printing from the machine).

9. Expect slight misalignment

On my Crafter, this worked better than using registration marks, but there was still a small misalignment—likely because my Crafter itself was off. It might line up more accurately on the iCraft, though.

You could test it out. If you do, let us know if it works with your machine. I would test with your usual sized sheet of paper first, in case it doesn’t align properly, you’re not wasting an A3 sheet of paper.

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Thank you all for your advice. I managed to find a workaround by:

  1. printing my A3 design with the upper 2 corners of the PTC pattern
  2. put it on the mat
  3. put above it a plain A4 pattern and align the marks
  4. let the machine read the marks
  5. remove the A4 paper
  6. let the machine cut

Not 100% accurate, but I think with practice I can make it better.

However, I would love to see an update of the software, where A3 is supported. Since the machine can support A3 size cuts, I am wondering why has it not been implemented yet.

p.s Sorry for the late update!

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