R

How to Use Registration Marks in CorelDRAW (Print & Cut)

CE30CDR-UM-151
R R
Windows and Windows XP are registered trademarks
R
of Microsoft Corporation in the US and other countries.
R
CorelDRAW is a trademark of Corel Corporation.
Print & Cut Workflow
R
èThe Windows version of Corel DRAW is used for the explanations. Corel DRAW Version 11

(Note: Print & Cut is supported in the Windows 2000 and Windows XP environments only.)

1.Create data 2.Print 3.Prepare for cutting

Make the CE3000Mk2

4. registration mark settings 5.Cut 6.Completion

GRAPHTEC

1.Create Data
Create the print data, cut line, and registration marks on different layers.
(Here, the layer for cutting is referred to as "Cut", the layer for printing as "Print", and the layer for
registration marks as "Registration".)
Layer Settings window [Object Manager]
Cut line layer [Cut]

Print data layer [Print] Registration mark layer [Registration]

Hint Layer settings can be made in Hint Creating the Cut layer on top of the
[Tools] > [Object Manager]. Print layer lets you easily check the
cut line.
(1) Create the Print Data
Create data for printing on the Print
layer.

Hint Making the print data a little larger

than the cut line ensures a better
result.

(2) Create the Cut line

Create the cut line so that the print data
is cut out in the desired shape by the
Cut layer.

Caution Specify a color other than black

for the cut line data, and specify
[Hairline] for the width of the
outline.

Cut line

(3) Create the Registration Marks

Registration Mark Creation Workflow

1.Create the basic registration mark shape
2.Adjust the registration mark length
3.Make duplicates of the registration mark
4.Create a registration mark placement guide
5.Place the registration marks
6.Delete the guide

1.Create the basic registration mark shape

Switch to the [Registration] layer, select
the [Freehand Tool] from the Toolbox,
Click and draw straight lines to create a
registration mark.

Hint If you click the mouse button once

at the start point of the straight line,
a straight line will be drawn when
you release the mouse button. To
specify the end of the straight line,
click the mouse button once again
at the end point.
 Hint
If you hold down the Ctrl key while
drawing the line, the mouse point
will be snapped to the grid, thus
enabling easy creation of a straight
line.
Registration mark

Specify the width of the outline as 1.0 mm.

The "Line Width" specified here will be

used later as the input value for
"Registration Mark Thickness" in
"Registration Mark Settings".

2.Adjust the registration mark length Use [Pick Tool] to select the registration
(1) Click
(2) Click
mark, and then from the [Arrange] menu
(3) Check mark select [Transformations] > [Size].

The numerical values in the dialog

boxes will be used for the
registration mark line lengths. Select
appropriate values for the numerical
values.

Caution The minimum value that can

specified as the length is 5 mm.
However, if the printing position has
shifted or the media has been
loaded at an angle (paper skew), a
short length will lower the probability
of accurate registration mark
Input the detection. Until you become more
registration mark familiar with loading media and
line lengths. other operations, please specify line
lengths around 20 mm.

3.Make Duplicates of the Registration Mark

(1) Click Make duplicates of the registration mark
(2) Click
(3) Check mark (Mirror or Rotate) to match the number
(4) Select of correction points required.
Use [Pick Tool] to select the registration
mark, and then from the [Arrange] menu
(5) Click select [Transformations] followed by
[Scale] > [Mirror] or [Rotate], and then
perform [Apply to Duplicate] as required.
Mirror Rotate

Duplicated
registration marks

Caution The method used to make

duplicates of the registration mark
varies according to the type of
registration mark (the pattern) and
the number of marks. Use the
above explanation as a reference
only.
4.Create a Registration Mark Placement Guide
Select the [Rectangle Tool], and, with
(1) Click
the mouse button held down, draw a
rectangle to enclose the entire print
data.The line color and width can be
freely specified.
The size of the guide will be used in a
later section, "Registration Mark
Settings".

Caution Be sure to leave enough space

Registration Mark
Placement Guide
around the outside of the rectangle
for the registration marks and the
blank margins. See "Printable Area
when Registration Marks are Used"
in the section "Explanation of the
Auto Registration Mark Function
Settings".

Hint Create the registration mark

placement guide in 5-mm
increments to enable the
Registration Mark Distance
Correction function to be used.
Use [Pick Tool] to select the
rectangle, and then from the
[Arrange] menu select
[Transformations] > [Size]. Enter the
numerical values in [Size] for easy
creation of a correctly-sized
rectangle.

5.Place the Registration Marks

(1) Click
<Set Snap>
Click the [View] menu, and insert a
check in the [Snap to Objects]
(2) Check mark checkbox.

Caution In some CorelDRAW versions, the

Snap setting will be in the [Layout]
menu.
 <Move the Registration Marks>
(1) Click Click the [Pick Tool]. Click the corner of
the registration mark, and drag it to the
Snap to guide corresponding corner of the guide.
When the registration mark is near the
guide, it will snap to the guide. Snap all
the other registration marks in the same
way.

Caution In some CorelDRAW versions, there

is a [Snap to Objects Setupä]
menu. Only insert a check in the
[Use object nodes] checkbox under
[Object(s) being moved] and in the
[Snap between nodes] checkbox
under [Object(s) in drawing
window].

6.Delete the guide

Delete the guide, leaving only the
registration mark data. This completes
the creation of registration mark data.

Hint If there is no print data between the

registration marks, the [Registration
mark guide] can be used in place of
registration marks. In this case, take
care when selecting the line color
Guide
and the line width. Likewise, you do
not have to specify all four points for
registration mark reading (as the
Printable area
points for correction). Use the
Controller to specify the required
number of points.

Use the guide in

place of registration
marks
2.Print
Activate the icons for the [Registration] and [Print] layers, and then perform printing on
your printer.

Caution With the CE3000Mk2, margins must be left around the printed
area to enable the registration marks to be detected. Please
note the minimum margin widths required when performing
printing. Moreover, registration mark detection cannot be
performed unless the areas around the registration marks are
white.
To change the registration mark reading area, see "Setting the
Distance between Registration Marks".

6 6

50

50
6
6
Printing

GRAPHTEC
GRAPHTEC
direction

6
6

10
15 6 6 15 10 15 15
Registration Mark Pattern 1 Registration Mark Pattern 2
(Unit: mm)
Printable area Registration mark reading area

3.Prepare for Cutting

Load the printout in the CE3000Mk2. On
the control panel, select the media
mode (roll or sheet) that is appropriate
for the loaded printout and perform the
media loading operation.
Pressing the or key
displays [ROLL2 PRESS
ENTR], [ROLL1 PRESS
ENTR], and [SHEET PRESS
Blank margin at the rear of the CE3000Mk2 ENTR] in succession.. Select
[SHEET PRESS ENTR] and
At least 50 mm then press the (ENTER) key
to confirm.
For more details, see the
GRAPHTEC

section "Loading the Medium"

in the CE3000Mk2 User's
Manual.

Plotting origin Caution Be sure to pay attention to the

media loading direction, the width of
This is just an example. The margin and the margins, and the location of the
the plotting origin location may change, plotting origin when you load the
depending on the design orientation, medium. As was pointed out in "2
medium loading direction, and registration Print", make sure that there are
mark type. sufficient margins when the medium
is loaded.
1. Edit the Registration Mark Data
(1) Click
(3) Click
(4) Select

Use [Pick Tool] to select a registration

(2) Check mark mark, and then in the [Edit] menu, insert
a check in the [Properties] checkbox to
display the [Outline] window. Select
[Hairline] for the width. Perform the
same operation for all the registration
marks.

2. Print
(1) Click
Specify the origin point for the cut line
data in the CorelDRAW print layout.
(2) Click
Activate the icons for the [Cut] and
[Registration] layers, and then select
[Print...] from the [File] menu to display
the Print window.

(1) Click
(2) Select (3) Click
Follow the procedure below to disable
cutting of the registration mark data.
Click the [General] tab. Select "Graphtec
CE3000Mk2" for the Destination
[Name]. Click "Properties" to open the
CE3000Mk2 Preferences window.
 (1) Click Click the [Options] tab and insert a
check in the [Start up the controller]
checkbox.

Click the [Pen Assignment...] button to

display the [Pen Assignment] window.

(2) Check mark

(3) Click

Double-click the black box under "Color"

in the Pen Assignment window. The
[Pen Setting] window is displayed.
(1) Double-click

Insert a check in the [Disable Output]

checkbox in the [Pen Setting] window.

Click [OK] to close all the Properties

windows and return to the [Print]
(2) Check mark
window.
(3) Click

(1) Click <Specify the Print Layout>

Place a registration mark at the printing
(2) Check mark origin point.
(3) Select
Click the [Layout] tab and insert a check
in the [Reposition images to:] checkbox.
Select the placement position as
[Bottom left corner].
 <Perform Printing>
Click the [Print] button to launch the
CE3000Mk2 Controller.

(1) Click

4. Make the CE3000Mk2

Registration Mark Settings
How to Use the Controller to Make the
Registration Mark Settings The
Controller is launched when the [Print]
button is clicked in the [Print] window.

Caution The CE3000Mk2 Controller is

launched when the CE3000Mk2 is
connected to a computer via the USB
interface, and in the READY status.

<Set the Media Orientation>

(1) Design Orientation
Select the orientation (Portrait or
Landscape) that was used in the
application software to create the
design.
(2) Media Orientation
(1) Select
Select the orientation for loading the
medium in the CE3000Mk2.
(2) Select
Design Orientation on the CorelDRAW screen.

Hint Normally, on your monitor screen,

the X-axis is the horizontal direction
of your design. However, on the
plotter, the X-axis is the media
movement direction.

Selecting the Media Orientation

GRAPHTEC

GRAPHTEC
Y
X
X
Y

<Set the Registration Marks>

The following explains how to use the
[Search Marks] function for auto
registration mark reading.

(1) Check mark Insert a check in the [Registration

(2) Check mark Marks] checkbox.
Insert a check in the [Search Marks]
(3) Input checkbox.
Input the distance between registration
marks.
Here, input the values used for the size
of the "Registration Mark Placement
Guide" when the registration marks
were created in CorelDRAW.
 <Set the Registration Mark Type>

(1) Click the [Settings] button to display

the [Registration Mark Settings] window.

(2) Select the number of [Registration

Mark Reading Points].
(1) Click
(3) Select the [Registration Mark Type]
that was used in CorelDRAW to create
the registration marks.

(2) Select (4) Input the values that were used in

1-(3) "Create the Registration Marks" for
the [Length] and [Thickness] values.
(3) Select
(5)Click the [OK] button.
Pattern 2
Pattern 1 Caution If Registration Mark Type 1 (Pattern
1) was selected, the "Registration
Mark Origin Setting" must be made
at the CE3000Mk2. For further
(4) Input details, see the CE3000Mk2 User's
Manual.

(5) Click

5.Cut
<Perform Cutting>
Click the [Cut] button. The registration
marks will be read, and cutting will
begin.

(1) Click

6.Completion
When cutting has been completed, lower the media set lever, and then remove the
medium. Peel your design off the backing sheet.

GRAPHTEC
 Explanation of the Auto Registration Mark Function Settings
What is auto registration mark ?
Registration marks are reference marks that are used to align the positions of printed data and cutting data
to prevent any shift when lines are cut by a plotter on a drawing that was printed out on a printer. The
registration marks are created and printed together with the drawing, and then these marks are read by the
plotter's auto registration mark detection function. Using registration marks enables easy contour cutting
of printed drawing for the production of stickers, decals, and so forth. This process is called " Print & Cut".

ȈȳȜƷᆔ᫏ Mark Patterns

Registration
There is a choice of registration mark patterns
( The shaded area indicates the area where printing
and cutting can be performed. )
* Registration marks must be printed in black.
Pattern 1
Select this pattern when you do not want to create registration marks
within the printable area. The printable area with respect to the actual
size of the media will be reduced, by the amount of space required to
create the registration marks outside the printable area.

Pattern 2
Select this pattern when you need a printable area that is close to the
actual size of the media itself. Since the registration marks are created
within the printable area, nothing can be printed in the areas close to
the registration marks.

* Both of the above patterns can be used with the CE3000Mk2

ᙀദໜƷૠ Mark Mode(Number of Points for Correction)

Registration
The number of registration marks that can be selected is 2,3, or 4( 4 is not selectable for
some plotter models ). The more marks selected, the higher the alignment accuracy.
However, the time required for mark detection will be increased and the cuttable area
reduced accordingly.
One-axis correction ( detection of two points )
Any tilt in the print is detected from the two marks, and cutting is performed
accordingly.
Distance correction between the two marks cannot be performed.
Alignment of multiple image bounded by registration marks (Note 3)
cannot be performed.

Two-axis correction ( detection of three points )

Any vertical or horizontal axis tilt is detected from the three marks, and cutting
is performed accordingly.
Print and cut alignment accuracy is higher than one-axis correction.
Distance correction between registration marks can be performed.
Alignment of multiple images bounded registration marks (Note 3) can be
performed.
 Four-point correction( detection of four points )
Any tilt in the left-to-right vertical direction and/or the top-to-bottom horizontal
direction is detected, and cutting is performed accordingly.
Print and cut alignment accuracy is higher than for two-axis correction.
Distance correction between registration marks can be performed.
Alignment of multiple images bounded by registration marks(Note 3) can be
performed.

Note 3
Alignment of Multiple images Bounded
Graphtec Graphtec Graphtec by Registration Marks

As shown in the illustration, this plug-in can be

used to align multiple images with the same
design for cutting. The function is particularly
Graphtec Graphtec Graphtec useful when cutting large numbers of stickers,
decals, and so forth.

Registration Mark Size

Lager registration marks are useful when there is a shift in the actual printing position,
or when the media is skewed when it is loaded ( loaded at an angle ).
However, large registration marks reduce the printable area.

Registration Mark Detection Operation

The registration mark detection operation starts at the document's
lower-left registration mark position, then moves horizontally and
vertically in a straight line to search for the next positions. As shown
in the first illustration, if the registration mark is small, it will not be
detected.

As show in the second illustration, even if the printing position has shifted
slightly, a large registration mark will still be detected. if the media is fed
for a long length in the media feed direction, using large registration marks
will simplify detection.

Registration Mark Thickness ( Line Width )

The thickness of the registration mark affects the detection accuracy. If the line is too fine, it will not be
detected, and an error will be generated. If the line is thick, the mark will still be detected even if the
media lifts up from the platen or when there is dust or dirt on the media. For normal use, please use
the default setting. If the printed marks are a little faint and not detected correctly, increase the thickness.
 Setting the Distance between Registration Marks
Setting the distance between registration marks reduces the amount of time required for detection.
Moreover, as shown in the bottom two illustrations, the area that can be used for cutting is increased
if Pattern 2 was selected. If Pattern 1 was selected, comments can be printed in the extra spaces.

Operation when the distance between registration marks

settings were not made
Comment cannot
be added

Comment cannot
Since the pen carriage moves in the horizontal and vertical directions from the
be added
start point, if there is anything printed between the registration marks, faulty
detection will occur. Because of this restriction, nothing can be printed in the
spaces between the registration marks.

Operation when the distance between registration marks

settings were made
Comment can
be added

Comment can
After the first point is detected, the pen carriage moves at high speed to the next
be added
point, without reading anything in between. Detection starts at a point slightly
before the specified position. Since no detection is performed in the areas
between the points, printing can be performed in those areas. (Please note,
however, that nothing must be printed in the immediate vicinity of the
registration marks).

Correcting the Distance between Registration Marks

This function corrects any differences in length between the actual printed data and the
settings made at the computer so that they are handled as the same values, thus ensuring
that the cut and print positions are aligned.
Length setting made at the computer Actual printed lengths
A=40cmŴB=30 cm A=40.5 cmŴB=29.5 cm

Graphtec B
Graphtec B'

A'

Cut lines

The distances between the registration marks when

correction has been performed are handled as
A' = 40 cm
B' B' = 30 cm

A'
 How to Correct the Distance between Registration Marks
The spacing between registration marks can be corrected to match the lengths input
via the plotter's control panel. Moreover, instead of inputting the values, any errors
can be rounded off (up or down) according to the unit selected.

Example:ųųWhen the unit for rounding off errors is set to 1 mm

If the spacing B' value was read as a value in the range [299.5 to 300.4 mm], it is corrected so
that it is handled as [ 300 mm]

Graphtec B'

A'
Length of registration mark spacing B (unit : mm)
PC-specified length Rounding-off unit Registration mark reading value range Length after correction
300.0 1 299.5 to 300.4 300.0
300.0 5 297.5 to 302.4 300.0
300.0 10 295.0 to 304.9 300.0

* If 10 mm is selected as the rounding-off unit, the error range is broadened, but the registration
marks must be set at positions that are multiples of 10 mm. If the media dimensions cannot
be divided by 10 mm, a maximum margin of 9 mm is left.

* The Cutting Master Auto-Correct function is convenient to use, since Cutting Master uses the
Illustrator registration mark spacing distances no matter what the above settings are.