Guide
How do you cut window tint with a plotter?
To cut window tint with a plotter, load the film, open the vehicle's pattern in cutting software, set the software to your roll width, arrange the pieces to use as little film as possible, run a small test cut to set blade depth and force, then send the job and weed away the excess film. The steps below use PPF/Tint Studio.
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Before your first job
- Connect the plotter by USB and add it under Settings → Cut Devices. See compatible plotters.
- Run the calibration wizard once so pieces cut true to size.
Step by step
- Load the film. Feed it square to the rollers, with the side your film maker recommends facing the blade, and make sure it can pull freely from the roll.
- Open the pattern. Pick the vehicle by year, make and model from the library. It opens in its own tab. You can check coverage first on the available patterns page.
- Set the Cut Box. Enter your roll's width and the length you want to use, or pick a saved preset.
- Choose the pieces. Delete or set aside any windows you aren't doing on this job.
- Add weed borders if you use them. EZ Weed puts a border line around each piece so the excess film is easy to lift.
- Nest. Auto Nesting packs the pieces across the roll width so you use less film.
- Set the cut order (optional). With Cut Order you can decide which pieces are cut first.
- Test cut. On a corner of the film, cut a small shape and check that the blade goes cleanly through the tint but only scores the clear liner. Adjust blade depth and force on the plotter until it does.
- Send the job. Click to send it to your plotter and let it finish before you touch the film.
- Weed and install. Lift away the film around each piece, then install as usual.
If a cut goes wrong
| What you see | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Blade cuts through the liner | Too much blade depth or force | Reduce one at a time and test cut again |
| Film isn't cut all the way through | Too little force, or a worn blade | Increase force slightly, or replace the blade |
| Pieces come out slightly too big or small | Plotter not calibrated | Run the calibration wizard |
| Long pieces drift off line | Film loaded crooked, or the roll is dragging | Reload the film square and let it pull freely |
Common questions
Do I need an internet connection to cut?
Only briefly, when you open a pattern. Once it is open in a tab you can edit and cut with no connection.
Can I change a pattern before cutting it?
Yes. You can mirror, rotate, scale and group pieces, and extend edges. See the pattern editing tools.
Is the process different for PPF?
The software steps are the same. PPF is thicker, so it needs more cutting force and its own blade setting, and EZ Weed is not used. For wrapped edges there is Wrap Edge.