How to Customise a Papercutting Template
In this project you will learn how you can customise papercutting templates. It should take you about half an hour to complete.
The Technique
1. Import
Click on File > Import > (choose the SVG papercutting template you would like to customise)
2. Add Text and position it on top of your template.
For more information on how to edit and add text, please see my video tutorial on Editing Text.
I would recommend using a stencil font if you wish to use text for a negative cut, like the date on the balloons of this papercutting template.
Once you are happy with your design, double check that everything is connected and save a copy, just in case you need to edit it afterwards.
3. Select All > File > Make a Bitmap Copy.
This is like taking a snapshot of your design.
4. Path > Trace Bitmap
The threshold should be about 0.45 for Brightness Cutoff. Click OK after complete.
Underneath the design will be the original papercutting template which can be saved or deleted now.
Fill the design in white (or transparent) and give it a black outline (stroke).
5. Right Click > Fill and Stroke > Change the width of the stroke to about 0.2mm.
6. Save it as an SVG or DXF file and send it to your cutting machine. If you plan to papercut it by hand then Flip the design and print it out.
Additional Resources
In the Free Papercut Desing Course, you will find a demonstration of how to design this project using Inkscape and will also find documents with free templates you can customise as well as a step-by-step workbook on how to complete the project with images. There are also a few additional resources like the hotkeys for the design programs available for you to download. Once you have watched the demo, start designing your very own papercut and then submit it to us for feedback. I promise to personally reply to every project with comments on how well you applied the design principles and whether there are any improvements I would recommend. Show us your work in our Designing Papercuts Facebook group: