The Brother ScanNCut machines stand out in the crafting world, largely thanks to their incredible built-in scanner. This feature is a game-changer, especially if you’re into customizing – from car decals to personalized stickers. For enthusiasts and professionals alike, the ScanNCut offers a streamlined approach to bringing digital designs into the physical realm. If you’re a car decal man, or simply someone who loves adding a personal touch to their vehicle or crafts, understanding how to utilize the Brother ScanNCut is essential. This guide will walk you through creating stunning car decals and various stickers, inspired by the wealth of tutorials available on YouTube, making your creative journey both efficient and enjoyable.
Making custom car decals and stickers is a popular desire for many, and with a ScanNCut, the process becomes remarkably straightforward. In this tutorial, we’ll explore, step-by-step, how to create professional-looking car decals and stickers using the Brother ScanNCut DX. You’ll be amazed at the simplicity and speed of transforming your ideas into tangible, high-quality designs. Let’s dive into the world of custom creations and see how this machine can revolutionize your approach to car decals and sticker projects, with insights often shared by expert “car decal man” creators on platforms like YouTube.
Watch the Video Tutorial or Follow the Photo Guide Below:
What Designs Will You Transform into Decals and Stickers?
The initial step in crafting custom car decals and stickers is brainstorming your designs. With the Brother ScanNCut, your canvas is virtually limitless. Anything you can print can be turned into a striking decal or sticker.
Depending on the sticker or vinyl you choose, you can even use stamped images, handwritten notes, or unique drawings to create your designs. Imagine turning your signature into a personalized car decal or using your child’s artwork to create unique stickers!
In this tutorial, we’ll use a photo and a pre-designed PNG file. If you’re working with digital images stored on your computer, follow the next steps to learn how to prepare them in a document for printing and scanning with your ScanNCut.
Preparing Your Design in Word for ScanNCut
To use images from your computer for decals and stickers, you’ll need to import them into a word processing program for printing and subsequent scanning with your Brother ScanNCut. Microsoft Word is used here, but programs like PowerPoint or Pages are equally suitable. Choose the program you are most comfortable with; these instructions using Word will provide a clear framework applicable to other software.
Note: These instructions are based on Microsoft Word 2016 Professional Plus. Steps may slightly vary with different versions, but the general process for image insertion remains consistent.
Begin by opening a new, blank 8.5″ x 11″ document in Word. Navigate to the “Insert” tab on the top toolbar. Within the “Insert” tab, locate and click the “Pictures” icon (depicted as a small mountain), and then select “This Device” from the dropdown menu.
A file explorer window will appear, allowing you to browse your computer’s files. Locate the folder containing your desired images for decals and stickers. Select your images by clicking on the first one, holding the “Ctrl” key, and clicking on any additional images. Once selected, click “Open.” The images will be inserted into your Word document, initially placed in the upper left corner and possibly behind other images. We will adjust their positioning in the next step.
Formatting Images for Optimal Sticker Layout in Word
To format the images, click on an image to select it. A small square icon will appear near the upper right corner of the image, resembling a setting sun with horizontal lines. Click this icon to open the “Layout Options” menu.
In the “Layout Options” menu, select “In Front of Text.” This setting allows you to freely move the image anywhere on the page.
Now, reposition your image by dragging it to the upper left corner of the document or below any existing images. Ensure sufficient spacing around each image to accommodate a cut border without overlap.
To resize an image, click and drag any of the square handles at the corners of the image. Drag inwards to reduce size or outwards to enlarge.
To create multiple stickers of the same design, copy the image by pressing “Ctrl + C” (or “Cmd + C” on Mac) and paste copies using “Ctrl + V” (or “Cmd + V” on Mac). Drag each copy to a new location on the document.
Repeat this duplication process until all desired images are in the document and positioned correctly, ready for printing and cutting into your custom car decals or stickers.
Key Considerations When Using Digital Images for Decals
Before proceeding with your digital images, keep these important points in mind for optimal decal and sticker creation:
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Image Resolution: If an image appears blurry or pixelated after resizing in Word, it likely lacks sufficient resolution for clear printing at a larger size. This often occurs with images downloaded from the internet that are too small (under 800 x 800 pixels). Web images are typically 72 dpi (dots per inch), which is low compared to print resolution of 300 dpi (or even 600 dpi). To avoid pixelation, use only high-resolution images, ideally 800-1000 pixels or larger, especially for printing.
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Copyright and Usage Rights: Be mindful of image licensing, particularly for copyrighted material like Disney characters, corporate logos (e.g., Starbucks, Nike), or designs from platforms like Etsy. While you can create stickers for personal use, selling items made with these images is a violation of copyright and intellectual property laws. For personal projects like gifts or personalizing your own items, it’s generally acceptable. However, commercial use without permission is illegal and unethical. Respect artists’ rights and intellectual property – avoid selling stickers with copyrighted images.
Choosing the Right Sticker Paper: Matte vs. Glossy
As you prepare to print your designs, consider the type of sticker paper: matte or glossy. Each offers different qualities suited for various projects.
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Matte Sticker Paper: Ideal for designs that might be stamped, handwritten, or drawn upon after printing. Its porous surface readily absorbs ink from stamps and pens, ensuring longevity. However, the matte finish can be less visually striking for some designs.
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Glossy Sticker Paper: Best for printed images requiring a vibrant, photo-like finish. The glossy coating makes the surface less porous, which can be problematic for traditional stamping or writing inks as they may smudge or not adhere properly. Specialty inks like StazOn, Archival inks, or Sharpies are necessary for writing or drawing on glossy surfaces, and even these may wear off over time.
Select sticker paper based on your project needs. Matte sticker paper is used in this tutorial for its versatility.
Printing Your Designs for ScanNCut Stickers
Once your images are formatted in Word, it’s time to print. Load your chosen sticker paper into your printer. Then, in Word, go to “File > Print” to access the print settings.
Click on the “Printer Properties” link, usually located beneath the printer selection dropdown menu.
Printer property settings vary, but it’s crucial to select “High” print quality instead of the default “Standard.” For glossy sticker paper, also change the paper type to “Photo Paper, Glossy” if available in your printer settings.
After adjusting the printer properties, click “OK” and then “Print.” Retrieve your printed sticker sheet and proceed to your Brother ScanNCut machine.
Preparing the ScanNCut Mat with Printed Sticker Paper
Affix the printed sticker paper to a Standard Tack Mat, positioning it in your preferred corner (the stickiest area). Load the mat into the ScanNCut by pressing the “Load Mat” button.
Scanning Your Designs with ScanNCut DX
On the ScanNCut DX’s main “Pattern and Scan” screen, select “Scan.”
On the subsequent screen, choose “Direct Cut.”
Next, select the machine icon to save the scanned image directly to your ScanNCut DX.
The following screen allows you to adjust the “Recognition Mode” by clicking the wrench icon. The setting used here is “Black and White,” but “Color” may be more effective depending on your machine and design. Adjust this setting if initial scans are unsatisfactory. Click “Start” to initiate the scanning process.
Setting Outline for Precise Sticker Cuts
Once scanning is complete, the scanned image appears with adjustable arrows. Drag these arrows to frame only the area of the mat containing your printed images.
Click “Preview.” This screen displays the scanned objects with automatically generated outlines. If the outlines accurately capture all images, click “OK.” If adjustments are needed, use the back arrow to return to the “Recognition Mode” screen, modify settings, and rescan. Repeat until all images are correctly outlined, then click “OK.”
To add a white border around your stickers, select the “Outline” icon on the subsequent screen. If no border is desired, skip this step and click “OK.”
If adding a border, the next screen prompts you to set the outline distance. Choose a distance by clicking the “+” sign; options like .04 or .08 inches are common. For this example, .08 inches is selected.
Adjusting Cut Settings for Perfect Stickers
The next screen displays the mat with outlines and a “Please Select” button. Click this button and choose “Cut” from the menu.
On the following screen, click the wrench icon to access crucial cut settings.
Scroll down to the second settings screen to find the “Half Cut” option at the top. Ensure “Half Cut” is set to “On” (the “On” box will be blue). Set “Half Cut Pressure” to “Auto” if it’s your first time cutting stickers, or adjust it manually by clicking the “+” symbol. Experience suggests a “Half Cut Pressure” of 3 might be optimal for some machines.
These are the primary settings needed for sticker creation. Click “OK” to return to the main “Cut” screen.
Performing a Test Cut for Optimal Settings
Select the large “Test” button. A small red square will appear on the mat display. If necessary, use your stylus to select and reposition this box to an area on the sticker paper away from your designs, ensuring it’s on sticker paper but not over any printed images. You can also use the arrows icon to adjust the test cut position more precisely.
Once positioned, select “Start” to perform the test cut.
Crucially, without unloading the mat, use tweezers or a weeding tool to remove the small test triangle. If it removes cleanly without cutting through the backing paper, your settings are correct. If not, return to “Settings,” increase “Half Cut Pressure” by 1, and repeat the test cut in a new area. Continue this process, increasing pressure incrementally, until the test cut removes cleanly from the top sticker layer only.
If the test cut penetrates the backing paper, decrease “Half Cut Pressure” by 1 until it cuts only the sticker layer.
Cutting Out Your Custom Stickers
Once your test cut is successful, press the “Start” button on the ScanNCut DX screen to begin cutting out your stickers.
Cutting time varies based on the number of images.
Verifying the Sticker Cut Quality
When the ScanNCut DX displays “Finished Cutting,” select “OK.”
Without unloading the mat, use tweezers or a weeding tool to check the sticker cuts. If satisfactory, unload the mat. If cuts are imperfect, press “Start” again to recut. Repeat as needed.
The Finished Stickers!
After unloading, remove the sticker paper by flipping the mat over and carefully peeling it away from the paper to keep the stickers flat.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully created custom stickers using the Brother ScanNCut DX. Apply your stickers to personalize various items. Here are some used to decorate Valentine’s envelopes.
Questions or Feedback?
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Suggestions for Future Tutorials?
Your ideas for Cricut, Silhouette, or Brother software tutorials and project suggestions are welcome in the comments. Thank you for reading!
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ENVELOPE SEALS DESIGN FILES in .PNG, .SVG, and Silhouette Studio formats – No Longer Available
