Vinyl: Laptop Stickers

In this workshop you will be introduced to Google Image search, Inkscape's Trace Bitmap function for a clean outline, and Silhouette Studio for running the CAMEO cutting tool.

We will be using a solid color piece 9"x6" vinyl.

Check out this Laptop Sticker Shop for ideas and inspiration.

Download and Open the Template

The template is attached at the bottom of the page. Right-Click and save it to the Desktop.

Searching for an image

Start by going to http://images.google.com/. Google Image search is a fast, quick way to search for images.

• • For search words, try a shape you would like (in this example, orchid)

  • Add the word silhouette

  • If silhouette isn't giving good image results, try outline or vector

  • Look for more solid shapes, without too many intricate pieces

  • More intricate pieces will take much longer to cut, and will be more difficult to "weed" when it comes to removing the excess vinyl

You may notice some of the images have watermarks. A watermark signals ownership or copyright protection, and don't assume that because an image doesn't have a watermark that it isn't protected. Fair use allows copyrighted images to be used for nonprofit educational purposes. Learn about Fair Use here.

Save

When you click on an image in Google Image Search to preview it, click "View Original Image". 

You'll have a new window with your selected image. Using the RIGHT mouse button, click and select Save As, or Save Target As (these vary by browser). You may save it to the Desktop.

Open

Drag the image into the Template.

Inkscape will ask if you want to Embed or Link the image. Select Embed.

Trace

Go to Path>Trace Bitmap.

Select Grays, Remove background, reduce Scans to 2.

Click Update, OK, and the red X to exit.

You'll see multiple sets of the dashed line because there are multiple scans of the silhouette. You're on the right path! (Get it? It's a vector joke.)

Resize your image. We are using vinyl sized 9"x6", so you can make the longer side up to 8.500", but the shorter side should be no more than 5.500". We want to leave room at the margins.

Save as SVG and DXF

Now let's save your file. Go to Save As and select the Desktop. Save as an SVG and a DXF.

We're ready to copy your file to a thumb drive and head over to the CAMEO cutter!

Survey

Surveys are here: https://sites.google.com/site/cplmakerlab/surveys