Custom cut marks define the registration marks, barcode and job label printed around artwork for a cutter’s optical recognition system. The settings must match the cutter manufacturer’s requirements.

The Marker Definition window contains three tabs:

• Registration marks
• Barcode
• Label
  
  

• Name: A unique, descriptive name for the cut-mark definition.
• Brand filter: Optionally restricts the definition to compatible cutter brands or drivers. Leave this empty to make the definition available to all cutters.

Always confirm the required mark shape, barcode format, dimensions and zero-point with the cutter manufacturer. Incorrect settings can prevent the cutter from recognizing the job.

1. Registration marks

This tab controls the appearance and placement of the optical registration marks.

Mark appearance

• Marker Size: Sets the overall size of each registration mark.
• White Size: Sets the size of the clear or white area surrounding the mark. This helps the cutter detect marks on coloured or printed backgrounds.
• Shape: Selects the registration-mark design:
  • Round
  • Crosshair
  • Square
  • Trim inward
  • Trim outward
  • Crosshair with bars
• Thickness: Sets the line thickness for line-based marks. This option does not apply to round or square marks.

Position and spacing

• Top, Bottom, Left and Right: Select the sides on which registration marks are printed.
• Inner Space: Sets the distance between the artwork and the registration marks.
• Outer Space – Distance between the marker and the edge of the media.
• Distance: Sets the maximum distance between repeated marks.
• Horizontal: Adds intermediate marks when the horizontal distance exceeds the configured maximum.
• Vertical: Adds intermediate marks when the vertical distance exceeds the configured maximum.
• In between: Adds registration marks between individual parts where sufficient space is available.

Zero-point

The Zero-point determines which part of the first registration mark is used as the cutter’s reference position:

• None: Does not define a special zero-point.
• Center: Uses the centre of the mark.
• Inside: Uses the edge of the mark facing the artwork.
• Outside: Uses the outside edge of the mark.

Select the option required by the cutter. Using a different zero-point can shift the entire cut relative to the print.

Side markers

Side markers add an additional cutter-specific mark on each selected side. Available options can include dots, a four-inch reference dot, a bar, an arrow or a randomly positioned mark.

Use these only when required by the cutter or its camera system.

Underbase

Controls the background printed beneath the registration marks:

• None: No underbase
• White: White background
• Yellow or Red: Coloured background where required by a particular recognition system

A white underbase is normally useful when printing on transparent, coloured or heavily printed media.

2.  Barcode

The Barcode tab creates a machine-readable job identifier. The cutter can use it to locate the correct cut file automatically.

Barcode format

• Type: Selects the barcode system. Available types include Code 39, QR, DataMatrix, PDF417, PostNet, Mimaki, EPOS and iKNOW.
• Content: Selects the information encoded in the barcode. Depending on the selected type, this can be an 8- or 9-digit hexadecimal value, a 12- or 24-character identifier, or the job name.
• Prefix: Adds fixed characters before the generated job identifier.
• Postfix: Adds fixed characters after the generated job identifier.

Prefix and postfix values should only be used when required by the cutter’s workflow.

Barcode size and clearance

• Width: Sets the barcode’s total width.
• Height: Sets its total height.
• White Size: Adds a clear or white background around the barcode to improve scanning.
• Inner Space: Sets the distance between the barcode and the artwork or surrounding mark area.
• Offset: Moves the barcode along the selected edge.
• Start mark: Adds a solid reference mark before a supported linear barcode.
• Quiet space: Adds an empty area around the barcode. This prevents surrounding artwork or marks from interfering with barcode recognition.

Some cutter-specific barcode types use fixed dimensions. When that happens, the relevant fields are set automatically and cannot be changed.

Barcode placement

Use Top, Bottom, Left and Right to select where the barcode is printed. Multiple positions can be enabled when required.

Move barcode to media edge positions the barcode relative to the edge of the loaded media instead of the edge of the artwork and registration-mark area.

3. Label

The Label tab adds human-readable job information next to the marks or barcode.

• Label Size: Sets the height of the printed label text.
• Top, Bottom, Left and Right: Selects the sides on which the label is printed.

A label can only be placed on a side that also contains registration marks or a barcode.

When a barcode is present, the label can include both the barcode identifier and the job name. This makes it easier for an operator to identify the printed job without scanning the barcode.

Barcode and label placement

The Barcode and label in between marks option applies to the complete definition:

• Enabled: The barcode and label share the space reserved for the registration marks.
• Disabled: Additional space is added outside the registration-mark area.

Enabling this option reduces the amount of media required around the artwork, but there must still be enough clear space for the camera to recognize every mark and barcode.