Publication Station - User contributions [en-gb]

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-24T11:23:52Z

SD:

== General basics ==

To make your life easier:
*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

==='''Read before use'''===
*A laser cutter is a dangerous device that can cause serious fires if not used responsibly. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, '''do not abandon the machine'''. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*In case you see fire or excessive smoke occurring in the machine, '''hit the big red button immediately'''.
*This seems fairly obvious (and it's also nigh impossible to do with this machine) but '''never look directly into the laser''' as it will ruin your eye sight.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gas masks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*Same story goes for MDF - '''forbidden'''.
*A total no-brainer, but just to state the obvious: if your material does not properly fit in the laser cutter, then either cut it to size or find something else.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
[[File:Lasercutter corner.jpeg|300px]]
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
[[File:Lasercutter af.jpeg|300px]]
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0, 0, 0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named '''[S3-9228] Trotec Ruby''' on the desktop.
*If the website asks you for a username and password, use the following.
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: ask a staff member to fill this in
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*In the queue double-click your file.

====Design tab====
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]
*In this screen you can select what lines need which color (and therefore what function should later on be associated with it). If you've used the colors suggested above, it should assign the right color to the right vector elements automatically.
**If not you'll have to redefine 'em. To do so select the elements you want to cut, and click on the red swatch. Select the elements you want engraved and select the black swatch, and so forth.
**'''ATTENTION!''' If anything goes awry later on, or the machine outright refuses to work with you, this is often the place where things went south. Usually because vector elements do not have the right color and are therefore not linked to a specific operation (ie. cutting or engraving)
*If you're happy with your design (size-wise) and all elements have their correct color, you can click on '''CREATE JOB''' in the upper right corner and move on to the next phase.

====Preparation tab====
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-05.png]]
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a '''[+]''' on the screen to indicate where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-06.png]]
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-07.png]]
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on '''SAVE''' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on '''NO''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
[[File:Lasercutter letsgo2.jpg|300px]]
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the power button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps '''BEFORE''' printing on your material:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a '''6-8 mm diameter''' around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*Before clicking '''PUSH TO LASER''' select the symbol with the '''T and three dots''' from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly, especially the black dots.
*At the '''Material''' screen, assign '''black''' to '''Print&Cut''' so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Click '''PUSH TO LASER'''. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

==Basic troubleshooting==

'''The button PUSH TO LASER is greyed out and says TABLE EMPTY'''

Usually this means one of two things:
#In the Design tab the vector elements do not have a color the laser cutter recognizes. Fix this by going back to the Design tab and selecting all the elements and click on the correct swatches next to the layers.
#The actions in your Material (engraving, or cutting, for example) are not active and/or don't have a color assigned. In the Preparation tab, under Material name, make sure that each action has a color assigned to it and its box is checked. So for example: if red lines in your design need to be cut, make sure that the box with the action 'Cut' is checked and there's a red swatch next to it.

Quickstartguide:UVFlatbed

2026-04-24T07:52:11Z

SD: /* WARNINGS & RULES */

==Before you start==
A quick overview of possibilities and limitations:
*Preferred file formats for ease of use: png and pdf.
*Maximum size of print bed: approx. 60 cm x 40 cm.
*Maximum height: approx. 20 cm.
*Possible colors and effects: white, CMYK, primer, embossing, gloss and matte varnish.

===Preparatory work===
*For your convenience, design your file on the intended size and, preferably, on the size of your material. This will save you the hassle of positioning in VersaWorks later on and you will avoid overstretching your design.
*For an easier workflow, measure your material beforehand (size, thickness, etc.)
*Avoid using .tiff and .jpeg files. Although they do work, they tend to come with their own shortcomings. Especially .tiff has the tendency to crash the software.
*If you are unsure about the best way to approach your material, ask an instructor so we can come up with a good method together.
*Bring more than one piece of material, or bring small test pieces. You should do this always and in every Station.

===How does this machine work===
The Roland VersaObject MO-240 (a.k.a. 'The Mimaki') is a UV flatbed printer that uses a number of highly chemical inks to print on surfaces a normal printer cannot. The way it does this, is by moving over a subject and spraying very fine dots of ink over the material much the same way an inkjet printer does. However, unlike an inkjet print, the Roland immediately exposes the freshly sprayed ink with the UV-light attached to its printer head. The chemicals in the ink react and harden in response to the UV-light allowing you to print on a wide array of surfaces. Another unique feature of the Roland is that it can print white. Most printers cannot print white, instead relying on the whiteness in paper to accommodate the whites in your design (both the obvious white parts and the white in light colors). Because this machine can do this, it opens up a whole range of potentially printable surfaces without losing the colors of your design.

===WARNINGS & RULES===
*Although the machine is perfectly safe to use, do keep in mind that the inks used are very '''toxic'''.
**Practically this means that you should '''avoid sticking your head in the machine, leaving the hood open unnecessarily long or touching other parts than the printing bed'''. Unless, of course, you love head aches.
*It is advisable to open the window upon operation.
*'''Never touch''' the inks or '''remove''' the cartridges.
*'''Never touch or open the discharge fluid''' of the machine.
*'''Avoid''' printing too far away from your material (having too much distance between the print heads and the material). Not only will you get terrible results, the machine will also cause a mist of ink in the machine.
*The flatbed can only print on flat or very slightly curved surfaces.
*Make sure you '''do not print on the table''' (the print bed). Although removable with a scraper and some alcohol-based cleaner, scraping it off the table's surface is not advisable considering the intense toxicity of the inks.
**If this is almost inevitable, please place a piece of paper underneath your material.
*'''Alerts''' - if the machine has any alerts open (indicated by a number next to a bell on the screen) please let one of the instructors know.
**'''Do not execute''' or attempt to fix any of the alerts yourself.
**'''Do not replace''' empty ink cartridges yourself.
*Fairly obvious but if the sign '''UNAVAILABLE DUE TO MAINTENANCE''' covers the flatbed screen you '''cannot''' use it. Don't take the sign off and start printing anyway, it means one of us is busy doing crucial maintenance work.

==Basic operation==
===A word of context===

To make you understand the operation of the flatbed better, here's a short explainer as to its way of working: a subject (a box, a piece of metal, a book cover, whatever) is placed on a printer bed ('''the table''', in Roland-world) that moves the subject deeper into the machine, and underneath a horizontally moving printer head (with UV-light). Once the whole subject has been printed and the job has been completed the table moves back to the front. To ensure good results and to prevent stuff from ramming into the printer head, the flatbed makes use of a sensor in the form of a wide black piece of metal in the back of the machine. The table moves underneath this sensor and if anything on the table (even lightly) touches the sensor, the machine will stop and give a '''table height error'''. The height of the table therefore needs to be adjusted to the material you are about to print on, so that nothing touches the sensor. Keep this in mind for the rest of this guide and when you have to do some troubleshooting.

Alright, now that you have some basic understanding of the flatbed, let's start on the machine side of things.

===At the machine itself===
*First measure the thickness of your material with the calipers.
**If your material is flat, but also a little bumpy, lay it on the table and measure its heighest point.
*Adjust the table height by clicking on '''SETUP''', preset '''MANUAL''' and then on '''CHANGE''' next to 'Table Height'
*Don't panic. Here a bit of maths gets involved. To calculate the correct table height, solve the following: '''table height = 102 mm - [the height of your material]'''.
**For example: you have a piece of wood that is approx. 4 mm thick, then that means 102 mm - 4 mm = 98 mm = table height.
*Click on the little pen to edit the height. Fill in the correct height.
*The table adjusts itself to the submitted height.
*Open the lid and place your subject in the lower right corner. This is its starting point of reference.
**To align your material properly you can use the convenient red tool Baschz made.
*Make sure that, if you're using paper or something similarly thin, that the material is taped down as much as possible. Same goes for wobbly pieces of wood.
*Close the lid and move over to the computer
===To the computer===
*Get your file on the computer and drag it into the queue of '''VersaWorks'''
*Once in the queue you'll get a horribly pixelated preview of your design. Don't worry it won't turn out this bad. Double-click the file in queue or select the file and click the cog wheel on top.
*Alright, so on the left you'll see a number of tabs. Most of those tabs are not relevant to you, except for the two top ones '''LAYOUT''' and '''QUALITY'''.
====Layout tab====
*As the name suggests this tab mainly deals with the positioning and sizing of your design on your material. Because this is a quickstart guide we won't go into every detail in this tab.
*The first measurements you can give in on top are those of your material. By default it's set to the complete printing table, but if you want to work precise you can put in the dimensions of your subject.
*Underneath that we find the size of your design as you've made it. Here the suggestion to design on your intended size comes in handy. If you've done this you will not need to resize. Either scale to your own wishes, or check the box to cover the whole material.
*If need be you can adjust the x and y positioning of your design.
*Next, click on the tab '''QUALITY'''.
====Quality tab====
*The quality tab deals with the type of ink(s) the machine will use and in what order.
*First there is the dropdown menu '''MEDIA TYPE''', which is by default set to '''GENERIC'''
**There's a number of options here, but because this part of the guide deals with basic operations, we'll only deal with '''GENERIC''' (for most surfaces) and '''GENERIC DISTANCE''' (for most surfaces with a slight curvature).
*Below we find another dropdown menu called '''MODE'''. Here we can find the possible orders of operation available for your selected mode.
**With '''GENERIC''' and '''GENERIC DISTANCE''' the following are available:
**'''CMYKRe (10p or 12p)''' - The machine only prints color, without white. If you want the color of your material to come through in your image, this is the way to go.
**'''White->CMYKRe (10p or 12p)''' - The machine first prints a layer of white and then moves on with the colors. This means that the color of your material won’t shine through in your image.
**'''CMYKRe->White (10p or 12p)''' - Like the previous setting, just the other way around. In case you want to print on something see-through and see the image on the other side.
**'''White''' - This is just a white under coating, no colors.

'''In case you selected CMYKRe (10p or 12p):'''
*Click on '''OK''' in the lower right corner and then on '''PRINT'''.

'''If you selected White->CMYKRe or CMYKRe->White or White''':
*Head to '''SPECIAL COLOR GENERATION''' and check the box saying '''GENERATE SPECIAL COLOR PLATE'''
*Subsequently, select what part of your image it should cover with the special color plate.
**'''Print Area''' - The special color plate (for example a white layer, or a varnish) is only printed on the printed area.
**'''Outside Print Area ''' - The special color plate is only printed outside the printed area.
**'''Entire Image''' - The special color plate is printed all over the image, regardless of what area is printed.
*A vague purple haze will come over your design, indicating the area where the special color plate will be present.
*Click on '''OK''' in the lower right corner.
*Click on '''PRINT''' in the upper right corner.
*The machine will now first check whether the height you gave in is correct and it doesn't touch anything on the table.
*Once that's approved it'll start.

==Advanced operation==
To be added.

Quickstartguide:UVFlatbed

2026-04-24T07:48:29Z

SD: /* WARNINGS & RULES */

==Before you start==
A quick overview of possibilities and limitations:
*Preferred file formats for ease of use: png and pdf.
*Maximum size of print bed: approx. 60 cm x 40 cm.
*Maximum height: approx. 20 cm.
*Possible colors and effects: white, CMYK, primer, embossing, gloss and matte varnish.

===Preparatory work===
*For your convenience, design your file on the intended size and, preferably, on the size of your material. This will save you the hassle of positioning in VersaWorks later on and you will avoid overstretching your design.
*For an easier workflow, measure your material beforehand (size, thickness, etc.)
*Avoid using .tiff and .jpeg files. Although they do work, they tend to come with their own shortcomings. Especially .tiff has the tendency to crash the software.
*If you are unsure about the best way to approach your material, ask an instructor so we can come up with a good method together.
*Bring more than one piece of material, or bring small test pieces. You should do this always and in every Station.

===How does this machine work===
The Roland VersaObject MO-240 (a.k.a. 'The Mimaki') is a UV flatbed printer that uses a number of highly chemical inks to print on surfaces a normal printer cannot. The way it does this, is by moving over a subject and spraying very fine dots of ink over the material much the same way an inkjet printer does. However, unlike an inkjet print, the Roland immediately exposes the freshly sprayed ink with the UV-light attached to its printer head. The chemicals in the ink react and harden in response to the UV-light allowing you to print on a wide array of surfaces. Another unique feature of the Roland is that it can print white. Most printers cannot print white, instead relying on the whiteness in paper to accommodate the whites in your design (both the obvious white parts and the white in light colors). Because this machine can do this, it opens up a whole range of potentially printable surfaces without losing the colors of your design.

===WARNINGS & RULES===
*Although the machine is perfectly safe to use, do keep in mind that the inks used are very '''toxic'''.
**Practically this means that you should '''avoid sticking your head in the machine, leaving the hood open unnecessarily long or touching other parts than the printing bed'''. Unless, of course, you love head aches.
*It is advisable to open the window upon operation.
*'''Never touch''' the inks or '''remove''' the cartridges.
*'''Never touch or open the discharge fluid''' of the machine.
*The flatbed can only print on flat or very slightly curved surfaces.
*Make sure you '''do not print on the table''' (the print bed). Although removable with a scraper and some alcohol-based cleaner, scraping it off the table's surface is not advisable considering the intense toxicity of the inks.
**If this is almost inevitable, please place a piece of paper underneath your material.
*'''Alerts''' - if the machine has any alerts open (indicated by a number next to a bell on the screen) please let one of the instructors know.
**'''Do not execute''' or attempt to fix any of the alerts yourself.
**'''Do not replace''' empty ink cartridges yourself.
*Fairly obvious but if the sign '''UNAVAILABLE DUE TO MAINTENANCE''' covers the flatbed screen you '''cannot''' use it. Don't take the sign off and start printing anyway, it means one of us is busy doing crucial maintenance work.

==Basic operation==
===A word of context===

To make you understand the operation of the flatbed better, here's a short explainer as to its way of working: a subject (a box, a piece of metal, a book cover, whatever) is placed on a printer bed ('''the table''', in Roland-world) that moves the subject deeper into the machine, and underneath a horizontally moving printer head (with UV-light). Once the whole subject has been printed and the job has been completed the table moves back to the front. To ensure good results and to prevent stuff from ramming into the printer head, the flatbed makes use of a sensor in the form of a wide black piece of metal in the back of the machine. The table moves underneath this sensor and if anything on the table (even lightly) touches the sensor, the machine will stop and give a '''table height error'''. The height of the table therefore needs to be adjusted to the material you are about to print on, so that nothing touches the sensor. Keep this in mind for the rest of this guide and when you have to do some troubleshooting.

Alright, now that you have some basic understanding of the flatbed, let's start on the machine side of things.

===At the machine itself===
*First measure the thickness of your material with the calipers.
**If your material is flat, but also a little bumpy, lay it on the table and measure its heighest point.
*Adjust the table height by clicking on '''SETUP''', preset '''MANUAL''' and then on '''CHANGE''' next to 'Table Height'
*Don't panic. Here a bit of maths gets involved. To calculate the correct table height, solve the following: '''table height = 102 mm - [the height of your material]'''.
**For example: you have a piece of wood that is approx. 4 mm thick, then that means 102 mm - 4 mm = 98 mm = table height.
*Click on the little pen to edit the height. Fill in the correct height.
*The table adjusts itself to the submitted height.
*Open the lid and place your subject in the lower right corner. This is its starting point of reference.
**To align your material properly you can use the convenient red tool Baschz made.
*Make sure that, if you're using paper or something similarly thin, that the material is taped down as much as possible. Same goes for wobbly pieces of wood.
*Close the lid and move over to the computer
===To the computer===
*Get your file on the computer and drag it into the queue of '''VersaWorks'''
*Once in the queue you'll get a horribly pixelated preview of your design. Don't worry it won't turn out this bad. Double-click the file in queue or select the file and click the cog wheel on top.
*Alright, so on the left you'll see a number of tabs. Most of those tabs are not relevant to you, except for the two top ones '''LAYOUT''' and '''QUALITY'''.
====Layout tab====
*As the name suggests this tab mainly deals with the positioning and sizing of your design on your material. Because this is a quickstart guide we won't go into every detail in this tab.
*The first measurements you can give in on top are those of your material. By default it's set to the complete printing table, but if you want to work precise you can put in the dimensions of your subject.
*Underneath that we find the size of your design as you've made it. Here the suggestion to design on your intended size comes in handy. If you've done this you will not need to resize. Either scale to your own wishes, or check the box to cover the whole material.
*If need be you can adjust the x and y positioning of your design.
*Next, click on the tab '''QUALITY'''.
====Quality tab====
*The quality tab deals with the type of ink(s) the machine will use and in what order.
*First there is the dropdown menu '''MEDIA TYPE''', which is by default set to '''GENERIC'''
**There's a number of options here, but because this part of the guide deals with basic operations, we'll only deal with '''GENERIC''' (for most surfaces) and '''GENERIC DISTANCE''' (for most surfaces with a slight curvature).
*Below we find another dropdown menu called '''MODE'''. Here we can find the possible orders of operation available for your selected mode.
**With '''GENERIC''' and '''GENERIC DISTANCE''' the following are available:
**'''CMYKRe (10p or 12p)''' - The machine only prints color, without white. If you want the color of your material to come through in your image, this is the way to go.
**'''White->CMYKRe (10p or 12p)''' - The machine first prints a layer of white and then moves on with the colors. This means that the color of your material won’t shine through in your image.
**'''CMYKRe->White (10p or 12p)''' - Like the previous setting, just the other way around. In case you want to print on something see-through and see the image on the other side.
**'''White''' - This is just a white under coating, no colors.

'''In case you selected CMYKRe (10p or 12p):'''
*Click on '''OK''' in the lower right corner and then on '''PRINT'''.

'''If you selected White->CMYKRe or CMYKRe->White or White''':
*Head to '''SPECIAL COLOR GENERATION''' and check the box saying '''GENERATE SPECIAL COLOR PLATE'''
*Subsequently, select what part of your image it should cover with the special color plate.
**'''Print Area''' - The special color plate (for example a white layer, or a varnish) is only printed on the printed area.
**'''Outside Print Area ''' - The special color plate is only printed outside the printed area.
**'''Entire Image''' - The special color plate is printed all over the image, regardless of what area is printed.
*A vague purple haze will come over your design, indicating the area where the special color plate will be present.
*Click on '''OK''' in the lower right corner.
*Click on '''PRINT''' in the upper right corner.
*The machine will now first check whether the height you gave in is correct and it doesn't touch anything on the table.
*Once that's approved it'll start.

==Advanced operation==
To be added.

Quickstartguide:UVFlatbed

2026-04-24T07:46:34Z

SD: /* WARNINGS & RULES */

==Before you start==
A quick overview of possibilities and limitations:
*Preferred file formats for ease of use: png and pdf.
*Maximum size of print bed: approx. 60 cm x 40 cm.
*Maximum height: approx. 20 cm.
*Possible colors and effects: white, CMYK, primer, embossing, gloss and matte varnish.

===Preparatory work===
*For your convenience, design your file on the intended size and, preferably, on the size of your material. This will save you the hassle of positioning in VersaWorks later on and you will avoid overstretching your design.
*For an easier workflow, measure your material beforehand (size, thickness, etc.)
*Avoid using .tiff and .jpeg files. Although they do work, they tend to come with their own shortcomings. Especially .tiff has the tendency to crash the software.
*If you are unsure about the best way to approach your material, ask an instructor so we can come up with a good method together.
*Bring more than one piece of material, or bring small test pieces. You should do this always and in every Station.

===How does this machine work===
The Roland VersaObject MO-240 (a.k.a. 'The Mimaki') is a UV flatbed printer that uses a number of highly chemical inks to print on surfaces a normal printer cannot. The way it does this, is by moving over a subject and spraying very fine dots of ink over the material much the same way an inkjet printer does. However, unlike an inkjet print, the Roland immediately exposes the freshly sprayed ink with the UV-light attached to its printer head. The chemicals in the ink react and harden in response to the UV-light allowing you to print on a wide array of surfaces. Another unique feature of the Roland is that it can print white. Most printers cannot print white, instead relying on the whiteness in paper to accommodate the whites in your design (both the obvious white parts and the white in light colors). Because this machine can do this, it opens up a whole range of potentially printable surfaces without losing the colors of your design.

===WARNINGS & RULES===
*Although the machine is perfectly safe to use, do keep in mind that the inks used are very '''toxic'''.
**Practically this means that you should '''avoid sticking your head in the machine, leaving the hood open unnecessarily long or touching other parts than the printing bed'''. Unless, of course, you love head aches.
*It is advisable to open the window upon operation.
*'''Never touch''' the inks or '''remove''' the cartridges.
*'''Never touch or open the discharge fluid''' of the machine.
*The flatbed can only print on flat or very slightly curved surfaces.
*Make sure you '''do not print on the table''' (the print bed). Although removable with a scraper and some alcohol-based cleaner, scraping it off the table's surface is not advisable considering the intense toxicity of the inks.
**If this is almost inevitable, please place a piece of paper underneath your material.
*'''Alerts''' - if the machine has any alerts open (indicated by a number next to a bell on the screen) please let one of the instructors know.
**'''Do not execute''' or attempt to fix any of the alerts yourself.
**'''Do not replace''' empty ink cartridges yourself.

==Basic operation==
===A word of context===

To make you understand the operation of the flatbed better, here's a short explainer as to its way of working: a subject (a box, a piece of metal, a book cover, whatever) is placed on a printer bed ('''the table''', in Roland-world) that moves the subject deeper into the machine, and underneath a horizontally moving printer head (with UV-light). Once the whole subject has been printed and the job has been completed the table moves back to the front. To ensure good results and to prevent stuff from ramming into the printer head, the flatbed makes use of a sensor in the form of a wide black piece of metal in the back of the machine. The table moves underneath this sensor and if anything on the table (even lightly) touches the sensor, the machine will stop and give a '''table height error'''. The height of the table therefore needs to be adjusted to the material you are about to print on, so that nothing touches the sensor. Keep this in mind for the rest of this guide and when you have to do some troubleshooting.

Alright, now that you have some basic understanding of the flatbed, let's start on the machine side of things.

===At the machine itself===
*First measure the thickness of your material with the calipers.
**If your material is flat, but also a little bumpy, lay it on the table and measure its heighest point.
*Adjust the table height by clicking on '''SETUP''', preset '''MANUAL''' and then on '''CHANGE''' next to 'Table Height'
*Don't panic. Here a bit of maths gets involved. To calculate the correct table height, solve the following: '''table height = 102 mm - [the height of your material]'''.
**For example: you have a piece of wood that is approx. 4 mm thick, then that means 102 mm - 4 mm = 98 mm = table height.
*Click on the little pen to edit the height. Fill in the correct height.
*The table adjusts itself to the submitted height.
*Open the lid and place your subject in the lower right corner. This is its starting point of reference.
**To align your material properly you can use the convenient red tool Baschz made.
*Make sure that, if you're using paper or something similarly thin, that the material is taped down as much as possible. Same goes for wobbly pieces of wood.
*Close the lid and move over to the computer
===To the computer===
*Get your file on the computer and drag it into the queue of '''VersaWorks'''
*Once in the queue you'll get a horribly pixelated preview of your design. Don't worry it won't turn out this bad. Double-click the file in queue or select the file and click the cog wheel on top.
*Alright, so on the left you'll see a number of tabs. Most of those tabs are not relevant to you, except for the two top ones '''LAYOUT''' and '''QUALITY'''.
====Layout tab====
*As the name suggests this tab mainly deals with the positioning and sizing of your design on your material. Because this is a quickstart guide we won't go into every detail in this tab.
*The first measurements you can give in on top are those of your material. By default it's set to the complete printing table, but if you want to work precise you can put in the dimensions of your subject.
*Underneath that we find the size of your design as you've made it. Here the suggestion to design on your intended size comes in handy. If you've done this you will not need to resize. Either scale to your own wishes, or check the box to cover the whole material.
*If need be you can adjust the x and y positioning of your design.
*Next, click on the tab '''QUALITY'''.
====Quality tab====
*The quality tab deals with the type of ink(s) the machine will use and in what order.
*First there is the dropdown menu '''MEDIA TYPE''', which is by default set to '''GENERIC'''
**There's a number of options here, but because this part of the guide deals with basic operations, we'll only deal with '''GENERIC''' (for most surfaces) and '''GENERIC DISTANCE''' (for most surfaces with a slight curvature).
*Below we find another dropdown menu called '''MODE'''. Here we can find the possible orders of operation available for your selected mode.
**With '''GENERIC''' and '''GENERIC DISTANCE''' the following are available:
**'''CMYKRe (10p or 12p)''' - The machine only prints color, without white. If you want the color of your material to come through in your image, this is the way to go.
**'''White->CMYKRe (10p or 12p)''' - The machine first prints a layer of white and then moves on with the colors. This means that the color of your material won’t shine through in your image.
**'''CMYKRe->White (10p or 12p)''' - Like the previous setting, just the other way around. In case you want to print on something see-through and see the image on the other side.
**'''White''' - This is just a white under coating, no colors.

'''In case you selected CMYKRe (10p or 12p):'''
*Click on '''OK''' in the lower right corner and then on '''PRINT'''.

'''If you selected White->CMYKRe or CMYKRe->White or White''':
*Head to '''SPECIAL COLOR GENERATION''' and check the box saying '''GENERATE SPECIAL COLOR PLATE'''
*Subsequently, select what part of your image it should cover with the special color plate.
**'''Print Area''' - The special color plate (for example a white layer, or a varnish) is only printed on the printed area.
**'''Outside Print Area ''' - The special color plate is only printed outside the printed area.
**'''Entire Image''' - The special color plate is printed all over the image, regardless of what area is printed.
*A vague purple haze will come over your design, indicating the area where the special color plate will be present.
*Click on '''OK''' in the lower right corner.
*Click on '''PRINT''' in the upper right corner.
*The machine will now first check whether the height you gave in is correct and it doesn't touch anything on the table.
*Once that's approved it'll start.

==Advanced operation==
To be added.

Quickstartguide:UVFlatbed

2026-04-24T07:44:59Z

SD: /* WARNINGS & RULES */

==Before you start==
A quick overview of possibilities and limitations:
*Preferred file formats for ease of use: png and pdf.
*Maximum size of print bed: approx. 60 cm x 40 cm.
*Maximum height: approx. 20 cm.
*Possible colors and effects: white, CMYK, primer, embossing, gloss and matte varnish.

===Preparatory work===
*For your convenience, design your file on the intended size and, preferably, on the size of your material. This will save you the hassle of positioning in VersaWorks later on and you will avoid overstretching your design.
*For an easier workflow, measure your material beforehand (size, thickness, etc.)
*Avoid using .tiff and .jpeg files. Although they do work, they tend to come with their own shortcomings. Especially .tiff has the tendency to crash the software.
*If you are unsure about the best way to approach your material, ask an instructor so we can come up with a good method together.
*Bring more than one piece of material, or bring small test pieces. You should do this always and in every Station.

===How does this machine work===
The Roland VersaObject MO-240 (a.k.a. 'The Mimaki') is a UV flatbed printer that uses a number of highly chemical inks to print on surfaces a normal printer cannot. The way it does this, is by moving over a subject and spraying very fine dots of ink over the material much the same way an inkjet printer does. However, unlike an inkjet print, the Roland immediately exposes the freshly sprayed ink with the UV-light attached to its printer head. The chemicals in the ink react and harden in response to the UV-light allowing you to print on a wide array of surfaces. Another unique feature of the Roland is that it can print white. Most printers cannot print white, instead relying on the whiteness in paper to accommodate the whites in your design (both the obvious white parts and the white in light colors). Because this machine can do this, it opens up a whole range of potentially printable surfaces without losing the colors of your design.

===WARNINGS & RULES===
*Although the machine is perfectly safe to use, do keep in mind that the inks used are very '''toxic'''.
**Practically this means that you should '''avoid sticking your head in the machine, leaving the hood open unnecessarily long or touching other parts than the printing bed'''. Unless, of course, you love head aches.
*It is advisable to open the window upon operation.
*'''Never touch''' the inks or '''remove''' the cartridges.
*'''Never touch or open the discharge fluid''' of the machine.
*The flatbed can only print on flat or very slightly curved surfaces.
*Make sure you '''do not print on the table''' (the print bed). Although removable with a scraper and some alcohol-based cleaner, scraping it off the table's surface is not advisable considering the intense toxicity of the inks.
**If this is almost inevitable, please place a piece of paper underneath your material.
*'''Alerts''' - if the machine has any alerts open (indicated by a number next to a bell on the screen) please let one of the instructors know. '''Do not execute''' any of the alerts yourself.

==Basic operation==
===A word of context===

To make you understand the operation of the flatbed better, here's a short explainer as to its way of working: a subject (a box, a piece of metal, a book cover, whatever) is placed on a printer bed ('''the table''', in Roland-world) that moves the subject deeper into the machine, and underneath a horizontally moving printer head (with UV-light). Once the whole subject has been printed and the job has been completed the table moves back to the front. To ensure good results and to prevent stuff from ramming into the printer head, the flatbed makes use of a sensor in the form of a wide black piece of metal in the back of the machine. The table moves underneath this sensor and if anything on the table (even lightly) touches the sensor, the machine will stop and give a '''table height error'''. The height of the table therefore needs to be adjusted to the material you are about to print on, so that nothing touches the sensor. Keep this in mind for the rest of this guide and when you have to do some troubleshooting.

Alright, now that you have some basic understanding of the flatbed, let's start on the machine side of things.

===At the machine itself===
*First measure the thickness of your material with the calipers.
**If your material is flat, but also a little bumpy, lay it on the table and measure its heighest point.
*Adjust the table height by clicking on '''SETUP''', preset '''MANUAL''' and then on '''CHANGE''' next to 'Table Height'
*Don't panic. Here a bit of maths gets involved. To calculate the correct table height, solve the following: '''table height = 102 mm - [the height of your material]'''.
**For example: you have a piece of wood that is approx. 4 mm thick, then that means 102 mm - 4 mm = 98 mm = table height.
*Click on the little pen to edit the height. Fill in the correct height.
*The table adjusts itself to the submitted height.
*Open the lid and place your subject in the lower right corner. This is its starting point of reference.
**To align your material properly you can use the convenient red tool Baschz made.
*Make sure that, if you're using paper or something similarly thin, that the material is taped down as much as possible. Same goes for wobbly pieces of wood.
*Close the lid and move over to the computer
===To the computer===
*Get your file on the computer and drag it into the queue of '''VersaWorks'''
*Once in the queue you'll get a horribly pixelated preview of your design. Don't worry it won't turn out this bad. Double-click the file in queue or select the file and click the cog wheel on top.
*Alright, so on the left you'll see a number of tabs. Most of those tabs are not relevant to you, except for the two top ones '''LAYOUT''' and '''QUALITY'''.
====Layout tab====
*As the name suggests this tab mainly deals with the positioning and sizing of your design on your material. Because this is a quickstart guide we won't go into every detail in this tab.
*The first measurements you can give in on top are those of your material. By default it's set to the complete printing table, but if you want to work precise you can put in the dimensions of your subject.
*Underneath that we find the size of your design as you've made it. Here the suggestion to design on your intended size comes in handy. If you've done this you will not need to resize. Either scale to your own wishes, or check the box to cover the whole material.
*If need be you can adjust the x and y positioning of your design.
*Next, click on the tab '''QUALITY'''.
====Quality tab====
*The quality tab deals with the type of ink(s) the machine will use and in what order.
*First there is the dropdown menu '''MEDIA TYPE''', which is by default set to '''GENERIC'''
**There's a number of options here, but because this part of the guide deals with basic operations, we'll only deal with '''GENERIC''' (for most surfaces) and '''GENERIC DISTANCE''' (for most surfaces with a slight curvature).
*Below we find another dropdown menu called '''MODE'''. Here we can find the possible orders of operation available for your selected mode.
**With '''GENERIC''' and '''GENERIC DISTANCE''' the following are available:
**'''CMYKRe (10p or 12p)''' - The machine only prints color, without white. If you want the color of your material to come through in your image, this is the way to go.
**'''White->CMYKRe (10p or 12p)''' - The machine first prints a layer of white and then moves on with the colors. This means that the color of your material won’t shine through in your image.
**'''CMYKRe->White (10p or 12p)''' - Like the previous setting, just the other way around. In case you want to print on something see-through and see the image on the other side.
**'''White''' - This is just a white under coating, no colors.

'''In case you selected CMYKRe (10p or 12p):'''
*Click on '''OK''' in the lower right corner and then on '''PRINT'''.

'''If you selected White->CMYKRe or CMYKRe->White or White''':
*Head to '''SPECIAL COLOR GENERATION''' and check the box saying '''GENERATE SPECIAL COLOR PLATE'''
*Subsequently, select what part of your image it should cover with the special color plate.
**'''Print Area''' - The special color plate (for example a white layer, or a varnish) is only printed on the printed area.
**'''Outside Print Area ''' - The special color plate is only printed outside the printed area.
**'''Entire Image''' - The special color plate is printed all over the image, regardless of what area is printed.
*A vague purple haze will come over your design, indicating the area where the special color plate will be present.
*Click on '''OK''' in the lower right corner.
*Click on '''PRINT''' in the upper right corner.
*The machine will now first check whether the height you gave in is correct and it doesn't touch anything on the table.
*Once that's approved it'll start.

==Advanced operation==
To be added.

Quickstartguide:UVFlatbed

2026-04-24T07:43:00Z

SD:

==Before you start==
A quick overview of possibilities and limitations:
*Preferred file formats for ease of use: png and pdf.
*Maximum size of print bed: approx. 60 cm x 40 cm.
*Maximum height: approx. 20 cm.
*Possible colors and effects: white, CMYK, primer, embossing, gloss and matte varnish.

===Preparatory work===
*For your convenience, design your file on the intended size and, preferably, on the size of your material. This will save you the hassle of positioning in VersaWorks later on and you will avoid overstretching your design.
*For an easier workflow, measure your material beforehand (size, thickness, etc.)
*Avoid using .tiff and .jpeg files. Although they do work, they tend to come with their own shortcomings. Especially .tiff has the tendency to crash the software.
*If you are unsure about the best way to approach your material, ask an instructor so we can come up with a good method together.
*Bring more than one piece of material, or bring small test pieces. You should do this always and in every Station.

===How does this machine work===
The Roland VersaObject MO-240 (a.k.a. 'The Mimaki') is a UV flatbed printer that uses a number of highly chemical inks to print on surfaces a normal printer cannot. The way it does this, is by moving over a subject and spraying very fine dots of ink over the material much the same way an inkjet printer does. However, unlike an inkjet print, the Roland immediately exposes the freshly sprayed ink with the UV-light attached to its printer head. The chemicals in the ink react and harden in response to the UV-light allowing you to print on a wide array of surfaces. Another unique feature of the Roland is that it can print white. Most printers cannot print white, instead relying on the whiteness in paper to accommodate the whites in your design (both the obvious white parts and the white in light colors). Because this machine can do this, it opens up a whole range of potentially printable surfaces without losing the colors of your design.

===WARNINGS & RULES===
*Although the machine is perfectly safe to use, do keep in mind that the inks used are very '''toxic'''.
**Practically this means that you should '''avoid sticking your head in the machine, leaving the hood open unnecessarily long or touching other parts than the printing bed'''. Unless, of course, you love head aches.
*It is advisable to open the window upon operation.
*'''Never touch''' the inks or '''remove''' the cartridges.
*'''Never touch or open the discharge fluid''' of the machine.
*The flatbed can only print on flat or very slightly curved surfaces.
*Make sure you '''do not print on the table''' (the print bed). Although removable with a scraper and some alcohol-based cleaner, scraping it off the table's surface is not advisable considering the intense toxicity of the inks.
**If this is almost inevitable, please place a piece of paper underneath your material.

==Basic operation==
===A word of context===

To make you understand the operation of the flatbed better, here's a short explainer as to its way of working: a subject (a box, a piece of metal, a book cover, whatever) is placed on a printer bed ('''the table''', in Roland-world) that moves the subject deeper into the machine, and underneath a horizontally moving printer head (with UV-light). Once the whole subject has been printed and the job has been completed the table moves back to the front. To ensure good results and to prevent stuff from ramming into the printer head, the flatbed makes use of a sensor in the form of a wide black piece of metal in the back of the machine. The table moves underneath this sensor and if anything on the table (even lightly) touches the sensor, the machine will stop and give a '''table height error'''. The height of the table therefore needs to be adjusted to the material you are about to print on, so that nothing touches the sensor. Keep this in mind for the rest of this guide and when you have to do some troubleshooting.

Alright, now that you have some basic understanding of the flatbed, let's start on the machine side of things.

===At the machine itself===
*First measure the thickness of your material with the calipers.
**If your material is flat, but also a little bumpy, lay it on the table and measure its heighest point.
*Adjust the table height by clicking on '''SETUP''', preset '''MANUAL''' and then on '''CHANGE''' next to 'Table Height'
*Don't panic. Here a bit of maths gets involved. To calculate the correct table height, solve the following: '''table height = 102 mm - [the height of your material]'''.
**For example: you have a piece of wood that is approx. 4 mm thick, then that means 102 mm - 4 mm = 98 mm = table height.
*Click on the little pen to edit the height. Fill in the correct height.
*The table adjusts itself to the submitted height.
*Open the lid and place your subject in the lower right corner. This is its starting point of reference.
**To align your material properly you can use the convenient red tool Baschz made.
*Make sure that, if you're using paper or something similarly thin, that the material is taped down as much as possible. Same goes for wobbly pieces of wood.
*Close the lid and move over to the computer
===To the computer===
*Get your file on the computer and drag it into the queue of '''VersaWorks'''
*Once in the queue you'll get a horribly pixelated preview of your design. Don't worry it won't turn out this bad. Double-click the file in queue or select the file and click the cog wheel on top.
*Alright, so on the left you'll see a number of tabs. Most of those tabs are not relevant to you, except for the two top ones '''LAYOUT''' and '''QUALITY'''.
====Layout tab====
*As the name suggests this tab mainly deals with the positioning and sizing of your design on your material. Because this is a quickstart guide we won't go into every detail in this tab.
*The first measurements you can give in on top are those of your material. By default it's set to the complete printing table, but if you want to work precise you can put in the dimensions of your subject.
*Underneath that we find the size of your design as you've made it. Here the suggestion to design on your intended size comes in handy. If you've done this you will not need to resize. Either scale to your own wishes, or check the box to cover the whole material.
*If need be you can adjust the x and y positioning of your design.
*Next, click on the tab '''QUALITY'''.
====Quality tab====
*The quality tab deals with the type of ink(s) the machine will use and in what order.
*First there is the dropdown menu '''MEDIA TYPE''', which is by default set to '''GENERIC'''
**There's a number of options here, but because this part of the guide deals with basic operations, we'll only deal with '''GENERIC''' (for most surfaces) and '''GENERIC DISTANCE''' (for most surfaces with a slight curvature).
*Below we find another dropdown menu called '''MODE'''. Here we can find the possible orders of operation available for your selected mode.
**With '''GENERIC''' and '''GENERIC DISTANCE''' the following are available:
**'''CMYKRe (10p or 12p)''' - The machine only prints color, without white. If you want the color of your material to come through in your image, this is the way to go.
**'''White->CMYKRe (10p or 12p)''' - The machine first prints a layer of white and then moves on with the colors. This means that the color of your material won’t shine through in your image.
**'''CMYKRe->White (10p or 12p)''' - Like the previous setting, just the other way around. In case you want to print on something see-through and see the image on the other side.
**'''White''' - This is just a white under coating, no colors.

'''In case you selected CMYKRe (10p or 12p):'''
*Click on '''OK''' in the lower right corner and then on '''PRINT'''.

'''If you selected White->CMYKRe or CMYKRe->White or White''':
*Head to '''SPECIAL COLOR GENERATION''' and check the box saying '''GENERATE SPECIAL COLOR PLATE'''
*Subsequently, select what part of your image it should cover with the special color plate.
**'''Print Area''' - The special color plate (for example a white layer, or a varnish) is only printed on the printed area.
**'''Outside Print Area ''' - The special color plate is only printed outside the printed area.
**'''Entire Image''' - The special color plate is printed all over the image, regardless of what area is printed.
*A vague purple haze will come over your design, indicating the area where the special color plate will be present.
*Click on '''OK''' in the lower right corner.
*Click on '''PRINT''' in the upper right corner.
*The machine will now first check whether the height you gave in is correct and it doesn't touch anything on the table.
*Once that's approved it'll start.

==Advanced operation==
To be added.

Quickstartguide:UVFlatbed

2026-04-24T07:39:00Z

SD:

==Before you start==
A quick overview of possibilities and limitations:
*Preferred file formats for ease of use: png and pdf.
*Maximum size of print bed: approx. 60 cm x 40 cm.
*Maximum height: approx. 20 cm.
*Possible colors and effects: white, CMYK, primer, embossing, gloss and matte varnish.

===Preparatory work===
*For your convenience, design your file on the intended size and, preferably, on the size of your material. This will save you the hassle of positioning in VersaWorks later on and you will avoid overstretching your design.
*For an easier workflow, measure your material beforehand (size, thickness, etc.)
*Avoid using .tiff and .jpeg files. Although they do work, they tend to come with their own shortcomings. Especially .tiff has the tendency to crash the software.
*If you are unsure about the best way to approach your material, ask an instructor so we can come up with a good method together.
*Bring more than one piece of material, or bring small test pieces. You should do this always and in every Station.

===How does this machine work===
The Roland VersaObject MO-240 (a.k.a. 'The Mimaki') is a UV flatbed printer that uses a number of highly chemical inks to print on surfaces a normal printer cannot. The way it does this, is by moving over a subject and spraying very fine dots of ink over the material much the same way an inkjet printer does. However, unlike an inkjet print, the Roland immediately exposes the freshly sprayed ink with the UV-light attached to its printer head. The chemicals in the ink react and harden in response to the UV-light allowing you to print on a wide array of surfaces. Another unique feature of the Roland is that it can print white. Most printers cannot print white, instead relying on the whiteness in paper to accommodate the whites in your design (both the obvious white parts and the white in light colors). Because this machine can do this, it opens up a whole range of potentially printable surfaces without losing the colors of your design.

===WARNINGS & RULES===
*Although the machine is perfectly safe to use, do keep in mind that the inks used are very '''toxic'''.
**Practically this means that you should '''avoid sticking your head in the machine, leaving the hood open unnecessarily long or touching other parts than the printing bed'''. Unless, of course, you love head aches.
*It is advisable to open the window upon operation.
*'''Never touch''' the inks or '''remove''' the cartridges.
*'''Never touch or open the discharge fluid''' of the machine.
*The flatbed can only print on flat or very slightly curved surfaces.

==Basic operation==
===A word of context===

To make you understand the operation of the flatbed better, here's a short explainer as to its way of working: a subject (a box, a piece of metal, a book cover, whatever) is placed on a printer bed ('''the table''', in Roland-world) that moves the subject deeper into the machine, and underneath a horizontally moving printer head (with UV-light). Once the whole subject has been printed and the job has been completed the table moves back to the front. To ensure good results and to prevent stuff from ramming into the printer head, the flatbed makes use of a sensor in the form of a wide black piece of metal in the back of the machine. The table moves underneath this sensor and if anything on the table (even lightly) touches the sensor, the machine will stop and give a '''table height error'''. The height of the table therefore needs to be adjusted to the material you are about to print on, so that nothing touches the sensor. Keep this in mind for the rest of this guide and when you have to do some troubleshooting.

Alright, now that you have some basic understanding of the flatbed, let's start on the machine side of things.

===At the machine itself===
*First measure the thickness of your material with the calipers.
**If your material is flat, but also a little bumpy, lay it on the table and measure its heighest point.
*Adjust the table height by clicking on '''SETUP''', preset '''MANUAL''' and then on '''CHANGE''' next to 'Table Height'
*Don't panic. Here a bit of maths gets involved. To calculate the correct table height, solve the following: '''table height = 102 mm - [the height of your material]'''.
**For example: you have a piece of wood that is approx. 4 mm thick, then that means 102 mm - 4 mm = 98 mm = table height.
*Click on the little pen to edit the height. Fill in the correct height.
*The table adjusts itself to the submitted height.
*Open the lid and place your subject in the lower right corner. This is its starting point of reference.
**To align your material properly you can use the convenient red tool Baschz made.
*Make sure that, if you're using paper or something similarly thin, that the material is taped down as much as possible. Same goes for wobbly pieces of wood.
*Close the lid and move over to the computer
===To the computer===
*Get your file on the computer and drag it into the queue of '''VersaWorks'''
*Once in the queue you'll get a horribly pixelated preview of your design. Don't worry it won't turn out this bad. Double-click the file in queue or select the file and click the cog wheel on top.
*Alright, so on the left you'll see a number of tabs. Most of those tabs are not relevant to you, except for the two top ones '''LAYOUT''' and '''QUALITY'''.
====Layout tab====
*As the name suggests this tab mainly deals with the positioning and sizing of your design on your material. Because this is a quickstart guide we won't go into every detail in this tab.
*The first measurements you can give in on top are those of your material. By default it's set to the complete printing table, but if you want to work precise you can put in the dimensions of your subject.
*Underneath that we find the size of your design as you've made it. Here the suggestion to design on your intended size comes in handy. If you've done this you will not need to resize. Either scale to your own wishes, or check the box to cover the whole material.
*If need be you can adjust the x and y positioning of your design.
*Next, click on the tab '''QUALITY'''.
====Quality tab====
*The quality tab deals with the type of ink(s) the machine will use and in what order.
*First there is the dropdown menu '''MEDIA TYPE''', which is by default set to '''GENERIC'''
**There's a number of options here, but because this part of the guide deals with basic operations, we'll only deal with '''GENERIC''' (for most surfaces) and '''GENERIC DISTANCE''' (for most surfaces with a slight curvature).
*Below we find another dropdown menu called '''MODE'''. Here we can find the possible orders of operation available for your selected mode.
**With '''GENERIC''' and '''GENERIC DISTANCE''' the following are available:
**'''CMYKRe (10p or 12p)''' - The machine only prints color, without white. If you want the color of your material to come through in your image, this is the way to go.
**'''White->CMYKRe (10p or 12p)''' - The machine first prints a layer of white and then moves on with the colors. This means that the color of your material won’t shine through in your image.
**'''CMYKRe->White (10p or 12p)''' - Like the previous setting, just the other way around. In case you want to print on something see-through and see the image on the other side.
**'''White''' - This is just a white under coating, no colors.

'''In case you selected CMYKRe (10p or 12p):'''
*Click on '''OK''' in the lower right corner and then on '''PRINT'''.

'''If you selected White->CMYKRe or CMYKRe->White or White''':
*Head to '''SPECIAL COLOR GENERATION''' and check the box saying '''GENERATE SPECIAL COLOR PLATE'''
*Subsequently, select what part of your image it should cover with the special color plate.
**'''Print Area''' - The special color plate (for example a white layer, or a varnish) is only printed on the printed area.
**'''Outside Print Area ''' - The special color plate is only printed outside the printed area.
**'''Entire Image''' - The special color plate is printed all over the image, regardless of what area is printed.
*A vague purple haze will come over your design, indicating the area where the special color plate will be present.
*Click on '''OK''' in the lower right corner.
*Click on '''PRINT''' in the upper right corner.
*The machine will now first check whether the height you gave in is correct and it doesn't touch anything on the table.
*Once that's approved it'll start.

==Advanced operation==
To be added.

Quickstartguide:UVFlatbed

2026-04-24T07:25:34Z

SD:

==Before you start==
A quick overview of possibilities and limitations:
*Preferred file formats for ease of use: png and pdf.
*Maximum size of print bed: approx. 60 cm x 40 cm.
*Maximum height: approx. 20 cm.
*Possible colors and effects: white, CMYK, primer, embossing, gloss and matte varnish.

===How does this machine work===
The Roland VersaObject MO-240 (a.k.a. 'The Mimaki') is a UV flatbed printer that uses a number of highly chemical inks to print on surfaces a normal printer cannot. The way it does this, is by moving over a subject and spraying very fine dots of ink over the material much the same way an inkjet printer does. However, unlike an inkjet print, the Roland immediately exposes the freshly sprayed ink with the UV-light attached to its printer head. The chemicals in the ink react and harden in response to the UV-light allowing you to print on a wide array of surfaces. Another unique feature of the Roland is that it can print white. Most printers cannot print white, instead relying on the whiteness in paper to accommodate the whites in your design (both the obvious white parts and the white in light colors). Because this machine can do this, it opens up a whole range of potentially printable surfaces without losing the colors of your design.

===WARNING===
*Although the machine is perfectly safe to use, do keep in mind that the inks used are very '''toxic'''.
**Practically this means that you should '''avoid sticking your head in the machine, leaving the hood open unnecessarily long or touching other parts than the printing bed'''. Unless, of course, you love head aches.
*It is advisable to open the window upon operation.
*'''Never touch''' the inks or '''remove''' the cartridges.
*'''Never touch or open the discharge fluid''' of the machine.
*The flatbed can only print on flat or very slightly curved surfaces.

==Basic operation==
===A word of context===

To make you understand the operation of the flatbed better, here's a short explainer as to its way of working: a subject (a box, a piece of metal, a book cover, whatever) is placed on a printer bed ('''the table''', in Roland-world) that moves the subject deeper into the machine, and underneath a horizontally moving printer head (with UV-light). Once the whole subject has been printed and the job has been completed the table moves back to the front. To ensure good results and to prevent stuff from ramming into the printer head, the flatbed makes use of a sensor in the form of a wide black piece of metal in the back of the machine. The table moves underneath this sensor and if anything on the table (even lightly) touches the sensor, the machine will stop and give a '''table height error'''. The height of the table therefore needs to be adjusted to the material you are about to print on, so that nothing touches the sensor. Keep this in mind for the rest of this guide and when you have to do some troubleshooting.

Alright, now that you have some basic understanding of the flatbed, let's start on the machine side of things.

===At the machine itself===
*First measure the thickness of your material with the calipers.
**If your material is flat, but also a little bumpy, lay it on the table and measure its heighest point.
*Adjust the table height by clicking on '''SETUP''', preset '''MANUAL''' and then on '''CHANGE''' next to 'Table Height'
*Don't panic. Here a bit of maths gets involved. To calculate the correct table height, solve the following: '''table height = 102 mm - [the height of your material]'''.
**For example: you have a piece of wood that is approx. 4 mm thick, then that means 102 mm - 4 mm = 98 mm = table height.
*Click on the little pen to edit the height. Fill in the correct height.
*The table adjusts itself to the submitted height.
*Open the lid and place your subject in the lower right corner. This is its starting point of reference.
**To align your material properly you can use the convenient red tool Baschz made.
*Make sure that, if you're using paper or something similarly thin, that the material is taped down as much as possible. Same goes for wobbly pieces of wood.
*Close the lid and move over to the computer
===To the computer===
*Get your file on the computer and drag it into the queue of '''VersaWorks'''
*Once in the queue you'll get a horribly pixelated preview of your design. Don't worry it won't turn out this bad. Double-click the file in queue or select the file and click the cog wheel on top.
*Alright, so on the left you'll see a number of tabs. Most of those tabs are not relevant to you, except for the two top ones '''LAYOUT''' and '''QUALITY'''.
====Layout tab====
*As the name suggests this tab mainly deals with the positioning and sizing of your design on your material. Because this is a quickstart guide we won't go into every detail in this tab.
*The first measurements you can give in on top are those of your material. By default it's set to the complete printing table, but if you want to work precise you can put in the dimensions of your subject.
*Underneath that we find the size of your design as you've made it. Here the suggestion to design on your intended size comes in handy. If you've done this you will not need to resize. Either scale to your own wishes, or check the box to cover the whole material.
*If need be you can adjust the x and y positioning of your design.
*Next, click on the tab '''QUALITY'''.
====Quality tab====
*The quality tab deals with the type of ink(s) the machine will use and in what order.
*First there is the dropdown menu '''MEDIA TYPE''', which is by default set to '''GENERIC'''
**There's a number of options here, but because this part of the guide deals with basic operations, we'll only deal with '''GENERIC''' (for most surfaces) and '''GENERIC DISTANCE''' (for most surfaces with a slight curvature).
*Below we find another dropdown menu called '''MODE'''. Here we can find the possible orders of operation available for your selected mode.
**With '''GENERIC''' and '''GENERIC DISTANCE''' the following are available:
**'''CMYKRe (10p or 12p)''' - The machine only prints color, without white. If you want the color of your material to come through in your image, this is the way to go.
**'''White->CMYKRe (10p or 12p)''' - The machine first prints a layer of white and then moves on with the colors. This means that the color of your material won’t shine through in your image.
**'''CMYKRe->White (10p or 12p)''' - Like the previous setting, just the other way around. In case you want to print on something see-through and see the image on the other side.
**'''White''' - This is just a white under coating, no colors.

'''In case you selected CMYKRe (10p or 12p):'''
*Click on '''OK''' in the lower right corner and then on '''PRINT'''.

'''If you selected White->CMYKRe or CMYKRe->White or White''':
*Head to '''SPECIAL COLOR GENERATION''' and check the box saying '''GENERATE SPECIAL COLOR PLATE'''
*Subsequently, select what part of your image it should cover with the special color plate.
**'''Print Area''' - The special color plate (for example a white layer, or a varnish) is only printed on the printed area.
**'''Outside Print Area ''' - The special color plate is only printed outside the printed area.
**'''Entire Image''' - The special color plate is printed all over the image, regardless of what area is printed.
*A vague purple haze will come over your design, indicating the area where the special color plate will be present.
*Click on '''OK''' in the lower right corner.
*Click on '''PRINT''' in the upper right corner.
*The machine will now first check whether the height you gave in is correct and it doesn't touch anything on the table.
*Once that's approved it'll start.

==Advanced operation==
To be added.

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-24T07:20:21Z

SD:

== General basics ==

To make your life easier:
*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

==='''Read before use'''===
*A laser cutter is a dangerous device that can cause serious fires if not used responsibly. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, '''do not abandon the machine'''. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*In case you see fire or excessive smoke occurring in the machine, '''hit the big red button immediately'''.
*This seems fairly obvious (and it's also nigh impossible to do with this machine) but '''never look directly into the laser''' as it will ruin your eye sight.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gas masks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*Same story goes for MDF - '''forbidden'''.
*A total no-brainer, but just to state the obvious: if your material does not properly fit in the laser cutter, then either cut it to size or find something else.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
[[File:Lasercutter corner.jpeg|300px]]
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
[[File:Lasercutter af.jpeg|300px]]
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0, 0, 0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named '''[S3-9228] Trotec Ruby''' on the desktop.
*If the website asks you for a username and password, use the following.
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: ask a staff member to fill this in
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*In the queue double-click your file.

====Design tab====
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]
*In this screen you can select what lines need which color (and therefore what function should later on be associated with it). If you've used the colors suggested above, it should assign the right color to the right vector elements automatically.
**If not you'll have to redefine 'em. To do so select the elements you want to cut, and click on the red swatch. Select the elements you want engraved and select the black swatch, and so forth.
**'''ATTENTION!''' If anything goes awry later on, or the machine outright refuses to work with you, this is often the place where things went south. Usually because vector elements do not have the right color and are therefore not linked to a specific operation (ie. cutting or engraving)
*If you're happy with your design (size-wise) and all elements have their correct color, you can click on '''CREATE JOB''' in the upper right corner and move on to the next phase.

====Preparation tab====
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-05.png]]
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a '''[+]''' on the screen to indicate where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-06.png]]
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-07.png]]
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on '''SAVE''' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on '''NO''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
[[File:Lasercutter letsgo2.jpg|300px]]
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the power button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps '''BEFORE''' printing on your material:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a '''6-8 mm diameter''' around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*Before clicking '''PUSH TO LASER''' select the symbol with the '''T and three dots''' from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly, especially the black dots.
*At the '''Material''' screen, assign '''black''' to '''Print&Cut''' so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Click '''PUSH TO LASER'''. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

==Basic troubleshooting==

'''The button PUSH TO LASER is greyed out and says TABLE EMPTY'''

Usually this means one of two things:
#In the Design tab the vector elements do not have a color the laser cutter recognizes. Fix this by going back to the Design tab and selecting all the elements and click on the correct swatches next to the layers.
#The actions in your Material (engraving, or cutting, for example) are not active and/or don't have a color assigned. In the Preparation tab, under Material name, make sure that each action has a color assigned to it and its box is checked. So for example: if red lines in your design need to be cut, make sure that the box with the action 'Cut' is checked and there's a red swatch next to it.

Quickstartguide:UVFlatbed

2026-04-23T21:38:47Z

SD:

==Before you start==
A quick overview of possibilities and limitations:
*Preferred file formats for ease of use: png and pdf.
*Maximum size of print bed: approx. 60 cm x 40 cm.
*Maximum height: approx. 20 cm.
*Possible colors and effects: white, CMYK, primer, embossing, gloss and matte varnish.

===How does this machine work===
The Roland VersaObject MO-240 (a.k.a. 'The Mimaki') is a UV flatbed printer that uses a number of highly chemical inks to print on surfaces a normal printer cannot. The way it does this, is by moving over a subject and spraying very fine dots of ink over the material much the same way an inkjet printer does. However, unlike an inkjet print, the Roland immediately exposes the freshly sprayed ink with the UV-light attached to its printer head. The chemicals in the ink react and harden in response to the UV-light allowing you to print on a wide array of surfaces. Another unique feature of the Roland is that it can print white. Most printers cannot print white, instead relying on the whiteness in paper to accommodate the whites in your design (both the obvious white parts and the white in light colors). Because this machine can do this, it opens up a whole range of potentially printable surfaces without losing the colors of your design.

===WARNING===
*Although the machine is perfectly safe to use, do keep in mind that the inks used are very '''toxic'''.
**Practically this means that you should '''avoid sticking your head in the machine, leaving the hood open unnecessarily long or touching other parts than the printing bed'''. Unless, of course, you love head aches.
*It is advisable to open the window upon operation.
*'''Never touch''' the inks or '''remove''' the cartridges.
*'''Never touch or open the discharge fluid''' of the machine.
*The flatbed can only print on flat or very slightly curved surfaces.

==Basic operation==
===A word of context===

To make you understand the operation of the flatbed better, here's a short explainer as to its way of working: a subject (a box, a piece of metal, a book cover, whatever) is placed on a printer bed ('''the table''', in Roland-world) that moves the subject deeper into the machine, and underneath a horizontally moving printer head (with UV-light). Once the whole subject has been printed and the job has been completed the table moves back to the front. To ensure good results and to prevent stuff from ramming into the printer head, the flatbed makes use of a sensor in the form of a wide black piece of metal in the back of the machine. The table moves underneath this sensor and if anything on the table (even lightly) touches the sensor, the machine will stop and give a table height error. The height of the table therefore needs to be adjusted to the material you are about to print on, so that nothing touches the sensor. Keep this in mind for the rest of this guide and when you have to do some troubleshooting.

Alright, now that you have some basic understanding of the flatbed, let's start on the machine side of things.

===At the machine itself===
*First measure the thickness of your material with the calipers.
**If your material is flat, but also a little bumpy, make sure to measure from its furthest point.
*Adjust the table height by clicking on '''SETUP''', preset '''MANUAL''' and then on '''CHANGE''' next to 'Table Height'
*Don't panic. Here a bit of maths gets involved. To calculate the correct table height, solve the following: '''table height = 102 mm - [the height of your material]'''.
**For example: you have a piece of wood that is approx. 4 mm thick, then that means 102 mm - 4 mm = 98 mm = table height.
*Click on the little pen to edit the height. Fill in the correct height.
*The table adjusts itself to the submitted height.
*Open the lid and place your subject in the lower right corner. This is its starting point of reference.
**To align your material properly you can use the convenient red tool Baschz made.
*Make sure that, if you're using paper or something similarly thin, that the material is taped down as much as possible. Same goes for wobbly pieces of wood.
*Close the lid and move over to the computer
===To the computer===
*Get your file on the computer and drag it into the queue of '''VersaWorks'''
*Once in the queue you'll get a horribly pixelated preview of your design. Don't worry it won't turn out this bad. Double-click the file in queue or select the file and click the cog wheel on top.
*Alright, so on the left you'll see a number of tabs. Most of those tabs are not relevant to you, except for the two top ones '''LAYOUT''' and '''QUALITY'''.
====Layout tab====
*As the name suggests this tab mainly deals with the positioning and sizing of your design on your material. Because this is a quickstart guide we won't go into every detail in this tab.
*The first measurements you can give in on top are those of your material. By default it's set to the complete printing table, but if you want to work precise you can put in the dimensions of your subject.
*Underneath that we find the size of your design as you've made it. Here the suggestion to design on your intended size comes in handy. If you've done this you will not need to resize. Either scale to your own wishes, or check the box to cover the whole material.
*If need be you can adjust the x and y positioning of your design.
*Next, click on the tab '''QUALITY'''.
====Quality tab====
*The quality tab deals with the type of ink(s) the machine will use and in what order.
*First there is the dropdown menu '''MEDIA TYPE''', which is by default set to '''GENERIC'''
**There's a number of options here, but because this part of the guide deals with basic operations, we'll only deal with '''GENERIC''' (for most surfaces) and '''GENERIC DISTANCE''' (for most surfaces with a slight curvature).
*Below we find another dropdown menu called '''MODE'''. Here we can find the possible orders of operation available for your selected mode.
**With '''GENERIC''' and '''GENERIC DISTANCE''' the following are available:
**'''CMYKRe (10p or 12p)''' - The machine only prints color, without white. If you want the color of your material to come through in your image, this is the way to go.
**'''White->CMYKRe (10p or 12p)''' - The machine first prints a layer of white and then moves on with the colors. This means that the color of your material won’t shine through in your image.
**'''CMYKRe->White (10p or 12p)''' - Like the previous setting, just the other way around. In case you want to print on something see-through and see the image on the other side.
**'''White''' - This is just a white under coating, no colors.

'''In case you selected CMYKRe (10p or 12p):'''
*Click on '''OK''' in the lower right corner and then on '''PRINT'''.

'''If you selected White->CMYKRe or CMYKRe->White or White''':
*Head to '''SPECIAL COLOR GENERATION''' and check the box saying '''GENERATE SPECIAL COLOR PLATE'''
*Subsequently, select what part of your image it should cover with the special color plate.
**'''Print Area''' - The special color plate (for example a white layer, or a varnish) is only printed on the printed area.
**'''Outside Print Area ''' - The special color plate is only printed outside the printed area.
**'''Entire Image''' - The special color plate is printed all over the image, regardless of what area is printed.
*A vague purple haze will come over your design, indicating the area where the special color plate will be present.
*Click on '''OK''' in the lower right corner.
*Click on '''PRINT''' in the upper right corner.
*The machine will now first check whether the height you gave in is correct and it doesn't touch anything on the table.
*Once that's approved it'll start.

==Advanced operation==
To be added.

Quickstartguide:UVFlatbed

2026-04-23T21:35:02Z

SD: Created page with "==Before you start== A quick overview of possibilities and limitations: *Preferred file formats for ease of use: png and pdf. *Maximum size of print bed: approx. 60 cm x 40 cm. *Maximum height: approx. 20 cm. *Possible colors and effects: white, CMYK, primer, embossing, gloss and matte varnish. ===How does this machine work=== The Roland VersaObject MO-240 (a.k.a. 'The Mimaki') is a UV flatbed printer that uses a number of highly chemical inks to print on surfaces a no..."

==Before you start==
A quick overview of possibilities and limitations:
*Preferred file formats for ease of use: png and pdf.
*Maximum size of print bed: approx. 60 cm x 40 cm.
*Maximum height: approx. 20 cm.
*Possible colors and effects: white, CMYK, primer, embossing, gloss and matte varnish.

===How does this machine work===
The Roland VersaObject MO-240 (a.k.a. 'The Mimaki') is a UV flatbed printer that uses a number of highly chemical inks to print on surfaces a normal printer cannot. The way it does this, is by moving over a subject and spraying very fine dots of ink over the material much the same way an inkjet printer does. However, unlike an inkjet print, the Roland immediately exposes the freshly sprayed ink with the UV-light attached to its printer head. The chemicals in the ink react and harden in response to the UV-light allowing you to print on a wide array of surfaces. Another unique feature of the Roland is that it can print white. Most printers cannot print white, instead relying on the whiteness in paper to accommodate the whites in your design (both the obvious white parts and the white in light colors). Because this machine can do this, it opens up a whole range of potentially printable surfaces without losing the colors of your design.

===WARNING===
*Although the machine is perfectly safe to use, do keep in mind that the inks used are very '''toxic'''.
**Practically this means that you should '''avoid sticking your head in the machine, leaving the hood open unnecessarily long or touching other parts than the printing bed'''. Unless, of course, you love head aches.
*It is advisable to open the window upon operation.
*'''Never touch''' the inks or '''remove''' the cartridges.
*'''Never touch or open the discharge fluid''' of the machine.
*The flatbed can only print on flat or very slightly curved surfaces.

==Basic operation==
===A word of context===

To make you understand the operation of the flatbed better, here's a short explainer as to its way of working: a subject (a box, a piece of metal, a book cover, whatever) is placed on a printer bed ('''the table''', in Roland-world) that moves the subject deeper into the machine, and underneath a horizontally moving printer head (with UV-light). Once the whole subject has been printed and the job has been completed the table moves back to the front. To ensure good results and to prevent stuff from ramming into the printer head, the flatbed makes use of a sensor in the form of a wide black piece of metal in the back of the machine. The table moves underneath this sensor and if anything on the table (even lightly) touches the sensor, the machine will stop and give a table height error. The height of the table therefore needs to be adjusted to the material you are about to print on, so that nothing touches the sensor. Keep this in mind for the rest of this guide and when you have to do some troubleshooting.

Alright, now that you have some basic understanding of the flatbed, let's start on the machine side of things.

===At the machine itself===
*First measure the thickness of your material with the calipers.
**If your material is flat, but also a little bumpy, make sure to measure from its furthest point.
*Adjust the table height by clicking on '''SETUP''', preset '''MANUAL''' and then on '''CHANGE''' next to 'Table Height'
*Don't panic. Here a bit of maths gets involved. To calculate the correct table height, solve the following: '''table height = 102 mm - [the height of your material]'''.
**For example: you have a piece of wood that is approx. 4 mm thick, then that means 102 mm - 4 mm = 98 mm = table height.
*Click on the little pen to edit the height. Fill in the correct height.
*The table adjusts itself to the submitted height.
*Open the lid and place your subject in the lower right corner. This is its starting point of reference.
**To align your material properly you can use the convenient red tool Baschz made.
*Make sure that, if you're using paper or something similarly thin, that the material is taped down as much as possible. Same goes for wobbly pieces of wood.
*Close the lid and move over to the computer
===To the computer===
*Get your file on the computer and drag it into the queue of '''VersaWorks'''
*Once in the queue you'll get a horribly pixelated preview of your design. Don't worry it won't turn out this bad. Double-click the file in queue or select the file and click the cog wheel on top.
*Alright, so on the left you'll see a number of tabs. Most of those tabs are not relevant to you, except for the two top ones '''LAYOUT''' and '''QUALITY'''.
====Layout tab====
*As the name suggests this tab mainly deals with the positioning and sizing of your design on your material. Because this is a quickstart guide we won't go into every detail in this tab.
*The first measurements you can give in on top are those of your material. By default it's set to the complete printing table, but if you want to work precise you can put in the dimensions of your subject.
*Underneath that we find the size of your design as you've made it. Here the suggestion to design on your intended size comes in handy. If you've done this you will not need to resize. Either scale to your own wishes, or check the box to cover the whole material.
*If need be you can adjust the x and y positioning of your design.
*Next, click on the tab '''QUALITY'''.
====Quality tab====
*The quality tab deals with the type of ink(s) the machine will use and in what order.
*First there is the dropdown menu '''MEDIA TYPE''', which is by default set to '''GENERIC'''
**There's a number of options here, but because this part of the guide deals with basic operations, we'll only deal with '''GENERIC''' (for most surfaces) and '''GENERIC DISTANCE''' (for most surfaces with a slight curvature).
*Below we find another dropdown menu called '''MODE'''. Here we can find the possible orders of operation available for your selected mode.
**With '''GENERIC''' and '''GENERIC DISTANCE''' the following are available:
**'''CMYKRe (10p or 12p)''' - The machine only prints color, without white. If you want the color of your material to come through in your image, this is the way to go.
**'''White->CMYKRe (10p or 12p)''' - The machine first prints a layer of white and then moves on with the colors. This means that the color of your material won’t shine through in your image.
**'''CMYKRe->White (10p or 12p)''' - Like the previous setting, just the other way around. In case you want to print on something see-through and see the image on the other side.
**'''White''' - This is just a white under coating, no colors.

'''In case you selected CMYKRe (10p or 12p):'''
*Click on '''OK''' in the lower right corner and then on '''PRINT'''.

'''If you selected White->CMYKRe or CMYKRe->White or White''':
*Head to '''SPECIAL COLOR GENERATION''' and check the box saying '''GENERATE SPECIAL COLOR PLATE'''
*Subsequently, select what part of your image it should cover with the special color plate.
**'''Print Area''' - The special color plate (for example a white layer, or a varnish) is only printed on the printed area.
**'''Outside Print Area ''' - The special color plate is only printed outside the printed area.
**'''Entire Image''' - The special color plate is printed all over the image, regardless of what area is printed.
*A vague purple haze will come over your design, indicating the area where the special color plate will be present.
*Click on '''OK''' in the lower right corner.
*Click on '''PRINT''' in the upper right corner.
*The machine will now first check whether the height you gave in is correct and it doesn't touch anything on the table.
*Once that's approved it'll start.

Printmaking Studio

2026-04-23T21:16:28Z

SD:

==Quickstart Guides==
{{Columns}}
{{Column}}
* [[Quickstartguide:Riso | Riso]]
* [[Quickstartguide:Screenprint | Screen Printing]]
* [[Screenprint_cleaning|Screenprint Cleaning]]
{{ColumnEnd}}
{{Column}}
* [[Quickstartguide:vls4.60 | Laser Cutting]]
* [[Quickstartguide:Roland | Vinyl Cutter]]
* [[Quickstartguide:StickersCutting | Stickers Cutting]]
* [[Quickstartguide:UVFlatbed | UV Flatbed Printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki)]]
{{ColumnEnd}}
{{Column}}
* [[Quickstartguide:Sawgrass | Sublimation Printer]]
* [[Quickstartguide:Roland | Flex/flock Cutter]]
* [[Quickstartguide:Transferpress | Heat Transfer Press]]
{{ColumnEnd}}
{{Column}}
* [[Quickstartguide:Litho | Stone Litho printing]]
* [[Quickstartguide:Etching| Line Etch]]
* [[Letterpress| Letterpress Printing]]
* [[Riso_patterns | Riso Patterns]]
{{ColumnEnd}}

{{ColumnsEnd}}

==Projects==
{{Columns}}
{{Card
| Title=Riso positive and negative prints
| Thumbnail=goldonblack.png
| Page=Riso_negative_positive
}}
{{Card
| Title=Mimaki How To
| Thumbnail=StormLadyDeath_Final_print01.jpg
| Page=Mimaki_How_To
}}
{{Card
| Title=Fabric Patterns
| Thumbnail=MushroomBagCoverS.jpg
| Page=Fabric_Patterns
}}
{{Card
| Title=Dotmatixprinter
| Thumbnail=Dynamic-wang-UtUa7GYW300-unsplash.jpg
| Page=Dotmatixprinter
}}

{{ColumnsEnd}}

==The Grafiwiki==
{{ContentGrid
|content=
<categorytree depth=0 mode=pages>Hoogdruk</categorytree>
<categorytree depth=0 mode=pages>Diepdruk</categorytree>
<categorytree depth=0 mode=pages>Vlakdruk</categorytree>
<categorytree depth=0 mode=pages>Doordruk</categorytree>
}}

Printmaking Studio

2026-04-23T21:16:11Z

SD:

==Quickstart Guides==
{{Columns}}
{{Column}}
* [[Quickstartguide:Riso | Riso]]
* [[Quickstartguide:Screenprint | Screen Printing]]
* [[Screenprint_cleaning|Screenprint Cleaning]]
{{ColumnEnd}}
{{Column}}
* [[Quickstartguide:vls4.60 | Laser Cutting]]
* [[Quickstartguide:Roland | Vinyl Cutter]]
* [[Quickstartguide:StickersCutting | Stickers Cutting]]
* [[Quickstartguide:UVFlatbed | UV Flatbed Printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki)
{{ColumnEnd}}
{{Column}}
* [[Quickstartguide:Sawgrass | Sublimation Printer]]
* [[Quickstartguide:Roland | Flex/flock Cutter]]
* [[Quickstartguide:Transferpress | Heat Transfer Press]]
{{ColumnEnd}}
{{Column}}
* [[Quickstartguide:Litho | Stone Litho printing]]
* [[Quickstartguide:Etching| Line Etch]]
* [[Letterpress| Letterpress Printing]]
* [[Riso_patterns | Riso Patterns]]
{{ColumnEnd}}

{{ColumnsEnd}}

==Projects==
{{Columns}}
{{Card
| Title=Riso positive and negative prints
| Thumbnail=goldonblack.png
| Page=Riso_negative_positive
}}
{{Card
| Title=Mimaki How To
| Thumbnail=StormLadyDeath_Final_print01.jpg
| Page=Mimaki_How_To
}}
{{Card
| Title=Fabric Patterns
| Thumbnail=MushroomBagCoverS.jpg
| Page=Fabric_Patterns
}}
{{Card
| Title=Dotmatixprinter
| Thumbnail=Dynamic-wang-UtUa7GYW300-unsplash.jpg
| Page=Dotmatixprinter
}}

{{ColumnsEnd}}

==The Grafiwiki==
{{ContentGrid
|content=
<categorytree depth=0 mode=pages>Hoogdruk</categorytree>
<categorytree depth=0 mode=pages>Diepdruk</categorytree>
<categorytree depth=0 mode=pages>Vlakdruk</categorytree>
<categorytree depth=0 mode=pages>Doordruk</categorytree>
}}

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T19:48:22Z

SD: /* Warning and material limitations */

== General basics ==

To make your life easier:
*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

==='''Read before use'''===
*A laser cutter is a dangerous device that can cause serious fires if not used responsibly. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, '''do not abandon the machine'''. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*In case you see fire or excessive smoke occurring in the machine, '''hit the big red button immediately'''.
*This seems fairly obvious (and it's also nigh impossible to do with this machine) but '''never look directly into the laser''' as it will ruin your eye sight.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gas masks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*Same story goes for MDF - '''forbidden'''.
*A total no-brainer, but just to state the obvious: if your material does not properly fit in the laser cutter, then either cut it to size or find something else.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
[[File:Lasercutter corner.jpeg|300px]]
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
[[File:Lasercutter af.jpeg|300px]]
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0, 0, 0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named '''[S3-9228] Trotec Ruby''' on the desktop.
*If the website asks you for a username and password, use the following.
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*In the queue double-click your file.

====Design tab====
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]
*In this screen you can select what lines need which color (and therefore what function should later on be associated with it). If you've used the colors suggested above, it should assign the right color to the right vector elements automatically.
**If not you'll have to redefine 'em. To do so select the elements you want to cut, and click on the red swatch. Select the elements you want engraved and select the black swatch, and so forth.
**'''ATTENTION!''' If anything goes awry later on, or the machine outright refuses to work with you, this is often the place where things went south. Usually because vector elements do not have the right color and are therefore not linked to a specific operation (ie. cutting or engraving)
*If you're happy with your design (size-wise) and all elements have their correct color, you can click on '''CREATE JOB''' in the upper right corner and move on to the next phase.

====Preparation tab====
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-05.png]]
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a '''[+]''' on the screen to indicate where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-06.png]]
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-07.png]]
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on '''SAVE''' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on '''NO''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
[[File:Lasercutter letsgo2.jpg|300px]]
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the power button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps '''BEFORE''' printing on your material:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a '''6-8 mm diameter''' around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*Before clicking '''PUSH TO LASER''' select the symbol with the '''T and three dots''' from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly, especially the black dots.
*At the '''Material''' screen, assign '''black''' to '''Print&Cut''' so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Click '''PUSH TO LASER'''. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

==Basic troubleshooting==

'''The button PUSH TO LASER is greyed out and says TABLE EMPTY'''

Usually this means one of two things:
#In the Design tab the vector elements do not have a color the laser cutter recognizes. Fix this by going back to the Design tab and selecting all the elements and click on the correct swatches next to the layers.
#The actions in your Material (engraving, or cutting, for example) are not active and/or don't have a color assigned. In the Preparation tab, under Material name, make sure that each action has a color assigned to it and its box is checked. So for example: if red lines in your design need to be cut, make sure that the box with the action 'Cut' is checked and there's a red swatch next to it.

'''I sent

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T19:40:32Z

SD: /* General basics */

== General basics ==

To make your life easier:
*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

==='''Warning''' and material limitations===
*A laser cutter is a dangerous device that can cause serious fires if not used responsibly. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, '''do not abandon the machine'''. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*In case you see fire or excessive smoke occurring in the machine, '''hit the big red button immediately'''.
*This seems fairly obvious (and it's also nigh impossible to do with this machine) but '''never look directly into the laser''' as it will ruin your eye sight.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gas masks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*Same story goes for MDF - '''forbidden'''.
*A total no-brainer, but just to state the obvious: if your material does not properly fit in the laser cutter, then either cut it to size or find something else.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
[[File:Lasercutter corner.jpeg|300px]]
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
[[File:Lasercutter af.jpeg|300px]]
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0, 0, 0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named '''[S3-9228] Trotec Ruby''' on the desktop.
*If the website asks you for a username and password, use the following.
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*In the queue double-click your file.

====Design tab====
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]
*In this screen you can select what lines need which color (and therefore what function should later on be associated with it). If you've used the colors suggested above, it should assign the right color to the right vector elements automatically.
**If not you'll have to redefine 'em. To do so select the elements you want to cut, and click on the red swatch. Select the elements you want engraved and select the black swatch, and so forth.
**'''ATTENTION!''' If anything goes awry later on, or the machine outright refuses to work with you, this is often the place where things went south. Usually because vector elements do not have the right color and are therefore not linked to a specific operation (ie. cutting or engraving)
*If you're happy with your design (size-wise) and all elements have their correct color, you can click on '''CREATE JOB''' in the upper right corner and move on to the next phase.

====Preparation tab====
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-05.png]]
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a '''[+]''' on the screen to indicate where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-06.png]]
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-07.png]]
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on '''SAVE''' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on '''NO''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
[[File:Lasercutter letsgo2.jpg|300px]]
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the power button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps '''BEFORE''' printing on your material:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a '''6-8 mm diameter''' around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*Before clicking '''PUSH TO LASER''' select the symbol with the '''T and three dots''' from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly, especially the black dots.
*At the '''Material''' screen, assign '''black''' to '''Print&Cut''' so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Click '''PUSH TO LASER'''. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

==Basic troubleshooting==

'''The button PUSH TO LASER is greyed out and says TABLE EMPTY'''

Usually this means one of two things:
#In the Design tab the vector elements do not have a color the laser cutter recognizes. Fix this by going back to the Design tab and selecting all the elements and click on the correct swatches next to the layers.
#The actions in your Material (engraving, or cutting, for example) are not active and/or don't have a color assigned. In the Preparation tab, under Material name, make sure that each action has a color assigned to it and its box is checked. So for example: if red lines in your design need to be cut, make sure that the box with the action 'Cut' is checked and there's a red swatch next to it.

'''I sent

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T19:38:35Z

SD:

== General basics ==

To make your life easier:
*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

==='''General warning and material limitations'''===
*A laser cutter is a dangerous device that can cause serious fires if not used responsibly. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, '''do not abandon the machine'''. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*In case you see fire or excessive smoke occurring in the machine, '''hit the big red button immediately'''.
*This seems fairly obvious (and it's also nigh impossible to do with this machine) but '''never look directly into the laser''' as it will ruin your eye sight.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gas masks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*Same story goes for MDF - '''forbidden'''.
*A total no-brainer, but just to state the obvious: if your material does not properly fit in the laser cutter, then either cut it to size or find something else.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
[[File:Lasercutter corner.jpeg|300px]]
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
[[File:Lasercutter af.jpeg|300px]]
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0, 0, 0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named '''[S3-9228] Trotec Ruby''' on the desktop.
*If the website asks you for a username and password, use the following.
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*In the queue double-click your file.

====Design tab====
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]
*In this screen you can select what lines need which color (and therefore what function should later on be associated with it). If you've used the colors suggested above, it should assign the right color to the right vector elements automatically.
**If not you'll have to redefine 'em. To do so select the elements you want to cut, and click on the red swatch. Select the elements you want engraved and select the black swatch, and so forth.
**'''ATTENTION!''' If anything goes awry later on, or the machine outright refuses to work with you, this is often the place where things went south. Usually because vector elements do not have the right color and are therefore not linked to a specific operation (ie. cutting or engraving)
*If you're happy with your design (size-wise) and all elements have their correct color, you can click on '''CREATE JOB''' in the upper right corner and move on to the next phase.

====Preparation tab====
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-05.png]]
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a '''[+]''' on the screen to indicate where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-06.png]]
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-07.png]]
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on '''SAVE''' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on '''NO''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
[[File:Lasercutter letsgo2.jpg|300px]]
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the power button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps '''BEFORE''' printing on your material:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a '''6-8 mm diameter''' around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*Before clicking '''PUSH TO LASER''' select the symbol with the '''T and three dots''' from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly, especially the black dots.
*At the '''Material''' screen, assign '''black''' to '''Print&Cut''' so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Click '''PUSH TO LASER'''. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

==Basic troubleshooting==

'''The button PUSH TO LASER is greyed out and says TABLE EMPTY'''

Usually this means one of two things:
#In the Design tab the vector elements do not have a color the laser cutter recognizes. Fix this by going back to the Design tab and selecting all the elements and click on the correct swatches next to the layers.
#The actions in your Material (engraving, or cutting, for example) are not active and/or don't have a color assigned. In the Preparation tab, under Material name, make sure that each action has a color assigned to it and its box is checked. So for example: if red lines in your design need to be cut, make sure that the box with the action 'Cut' is checked and there's a red swatch next to it.

'''I sent

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T19:36:48Z

SD: /* General preparations */

== General basics ==

To make your life easier:
*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

==='''General warning and material limitations'''===
*A laser cutter is a dangerous device that can cause serious fires if not used responsibly. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, '''do not abandon the machine'''. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*This seems fairly obvious (and it's also nigh impossible to do with this machine) but '''never look directly into the laser''' as it will ruin your eye sight.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gas masks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*Same story goes for MDF - '''forbidden'''.
*A total no-brainer, but just to state the obvious: if your material does not properly fit in the laser cutter, then either cut it to size or find something else.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
[[File:Lasercutter corner.jpeg|300px]]
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
[[File:Lasercutter af.jpeg|300px]]
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0, 0, 0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named '''[S3-9228] Trotec Ruby''' on the desktop.
*If the website asks you for a username and password, use the following.
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*In the queue double-click your file.

====Design tab====
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]
*In this screen you can select what lines need which color (and therefore what function should later on be associated with it). If you've used the colors suggested above, it should assign the right color to the right vector elements automatically.
**If not you'll have to redefine 'em. To do so select the elements you want to cut, and click on the red swatch. Select the elements you want engraved and select the black swatch, and so forth.
**'''ATTENTION!''' If anything goes awry later on, or the machine outright refuses to work with you, this is often the place where things went south. Usually because vector elements do not have the right color and are therefore not linked to a specific operation (ie. cutting or engraving)
*If you're happy with your design (size-wise) and all elements have their correct color, you can click on '''CREATE JOB''' in the upper right corner and move on to the next phase.

====Preparation tab====
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-05.png]]
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a '''[+]''' on the screen to indicate where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-06.png]]
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-07.png]]
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on '''SAVE''' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on '''NO''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
[[File:Lasercutter letsgo2.jpg|300px]]
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the power button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps '''BEFORE''' printing on your material:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a '''6-8 mm diameter''' around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*Before clicking '''PUSH TO LASER''' select the symbol with the '''T and three dots''' from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly, especially the black dots.
*At the '''Material''' screen, assign '''black''' to '''Print&Cut''' so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Click '''PUSH TO LASER'''. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

==Basic troubleshooting==

'''The button PUSH TO LASER is greyed out and says TABLE EMPTY'''

Usually this means one of two things:
#In the Design tab the vector elements do not have a color the laser cutter recognizes. Fix this by going back to the Design tab and selecting all the elements and click on the correct swatches next to the layers.
#The actions in your Material (engraving, or cutting, for example) are not active and/or don't have a color assigned. In the Preparation tab, under Material name, make sure that each action has a color assigned to it and its box is checked. So for example: if red lines in your design need to be cut, make sure that the box with the action 'Cut' is checked and there's a red swatch next to it.

'''I sent

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T19:28:13Z

SD: /* Advanced operations */

== General preparations ==

*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

==='''WARNING'''===
*Using a laser is potentially a serious '''fire hazard'''. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, do not abandon the machine. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*Although nigh impossible to do with this machine: never look directly into the laser.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gasmasks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*No MDF.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
[[File:Lasercutter corner.jpeg|300px]]
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
[[File:Lasercutter af.jpeg|300px]]
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0, 0, 0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named '''[S3-9228] Trotec Ruby''' on the desktop.
*If the website asks you for a username and password, use the following.
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*In the queue double-click your file.

====Design tab====
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]
*In this screen you can select what lines need which color (and therefore what function should later on be associated with it). If you've used the colors suggested above, it should assign the right color to the right vector elements automatically.
**If not you'll have to redefine 'em. To do so select the elements you want to cut, and click on the red swatch. Select the elements you want engraved and select the black swatch, and so forth.
**'''ATTENTION!''' If anything goes awry later on, or the machine outright refuses to work with you, this is often the place where things went south. Usually because vector elements do not have the right color and are therefore not linked to a specific operation (ie. cutting or engraving)
*If you're happy with your design (size-wise) and all elements have their correct color, you can click on '''CREATE JOB''' in the upper right corner and move on to the next phase.

====Preparation tab====
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-05.png]]
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a '''[+]''' on the screen to indicate where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-06.png]]
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-07.png]]
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on '''SAVE''' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on '''NO''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
[[File:Lasercutter letsgo2.jpg|300px]]
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the power button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps '''BEFORE''' printing on your material:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a '''6-8 mm diameter''' around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*Before clicking '''PUSH TO LASER''' select the symbol with the '''T and three dots''' from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly, especially the black dots.
*At the '''Material''' screen, assign '''black''' to '''Print&Cut''' so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Click '''PUSH TO LASER'''. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

==Basic troubleshooting==

'''The button PUSH TO LASER is greyed out and says TABLE EMPTY'''

Usually this means one of two things:
#In the Design tab the vector elements do not have a color the laser cutter recognizes. Fix this by going back to the Design tab and selecting all the elements and click on the correct swatches next to the layers.
#The actions in your Material (engraving, or cutting, for example) are not active and/or don't have a color assigned. In the Preparation tab, under Material name, make sure that each action has a color assigned to it and its box is checked. So for example: if red lines in your design need to be cut, make sure that the box with the action 'Cut' is checked and there's a red swatch next to it.

'''I sent

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T19:27:24Z

SD:

== General preparations ==

*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

==='''WARNING'''===
*Using a laser is potentially a serious '''fire hazard'''. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, do not abandon the machine. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*Although nigh impossible to do with this machine: never look directly into the laser.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gasmasks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*No MDF.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
[[File:Lasercutter corner.jpeg|300px]]
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
[[File:Lasercutter af.jpeg|300px]]
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0, 0, 0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named '''[S3-9228] Trotec Ruby''' on the desktop.
*If the website asks you for a username and password, use the following.
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*In the queue double-click your file.

====Design tab====
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]
*In this screen you can select what lines need which color (and therefore what function should later on be associated with it). If you've used the colors suggested above, it should assign the right color to the right vector elements automatically.
**If not you'll have to redefine 'em. To do so select the elements you want to cut, and click on the red swatch. Select the elements you want engraved and select the black swatch, and so forth.
**'''ATTENTION!''' If anything goes awry later on, or the machine outright refuses to work with you, this is often the place where things went south. Usually because vector elements do not have the right color and are therefore not linked to a specific operation (ie. cutting or engraving)
*If you're happy with your design (size-wise) and all elements have their correct color, you can click on '''CREATE JOB''' in the upper right corner and move on to the next phase.

====Preparation tab====
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-05.png]]
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a '''[+]''' on the screen to indicate where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-06.png]]
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-07.png]]
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on '''SAVE''' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on '''NO''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
[[File:Lasercutter letsgo2.jpg|300px]]
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the power button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a '''6-8 mm diameter''' around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*Before clicking '''PUSH TO LASER''' select the symbol with the '''T and three dots''' from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly, especially the black dots.
*At the '''Material''' screen, assign '''black''' to '''Print&Cut''' so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Click '''PUSH TO LASER'''. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

==Basic troubleshooting==

'''The button PUSH TO LASER is greyed out and says TABLE EMPTY'''

Usually this means one of two things:
#In the Design tab the vector elements do not have a color the laser cutter recognizes. Fix this by going back to the Design tab and selecting all the elements and click on the correct swatches next to the layers.
#The actions in your Material (engraving, or cutting, for example) are not active and/or don't have a color assigned. In the Preparation tab, under Material name, make sure that each action has a color assigned to it and its box is checked. So for example: if red lines in your design need to be cut, make sure that the box with the action 'Cut' is checked and there's a red swatch next to it.

'''I sent

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T19:24:59Z

SD:

== General preparations ==

*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

==='''WARNING'''===
*Using a laser is potentially a serious '''fire hazard'''. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, do not abandon the machine. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*Although nigh impossible to do with this machine: never look directly into the laser.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gasmasks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*No MDF.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
[[File:Lasercutter corner.jpeg|300px]]
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
[[File:Lasercutter af.jpeg|300px]]
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0, 0, 0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named '''[S3-9228] Trotec Ruby''' on the desktop.
*If the website asks you for a username and password, use the following.
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*In the queue double-click your file.

====Design tab====
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]
*In this screen you can select what lines need which color (and therefore what function should later on be associated with it). If you've used the colors suggested above, it should assign the right color to the right vector elements automatically.
**If not you'll have to redefine 'em. To do so select the elements you want to cut, and click on the red swatch. Select the elements you want engraved and select the black swatch, and so forth.
**'''ATTENTION!''' If anything goes awry later on, or the machine outright refuses to work with you, this is often the place where things went south. Usually because vector elements do not have the right color and are therefore not linked to a specific operation (ie. cutting or engraving)
*If you're happy with your design (size-wise) and all elements have their correct color, you can click on '''CREATE JOB''' in the upper right corner and move on to the next phase.

====Preparation tab====
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-05.png]]
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a '''[+]''' on the screen to indicate where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-06.png]]
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-07.png]]
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on ''''SAVE'''' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on ''''NO'''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
[[File:Lasercutter letsgo2.jpg|300px]]
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the power button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a 6-8 mm diameter around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*Before clicking ''''Push to laser'''' select the symbol with the '''T and three dots''' from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly, especially the black dots.
*At the '''Material''' screen, assign '''black''' to '''Print&Cut''' so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Click '''PUSH TO LASER'''. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

==Basic troubleshooting==

'''The button PUSH TO LASER is greyed out and says TABLE EMPTY'''

Usually this means one of two things:
#In the Design tab the vector elements do not have a color the laser cutter recognizes. Fix this by going back to the Design tab and selecting all the elements and click on the correct swatches next to the layers.
#The actions in your Material (engraving, or cutting, for example) are not active and/or don't have a color assigned. In the Preparation tab, under Material name, make sure that each action has a color assigned to it and its box is checked. So for example: if red lines in your design need to be cut, make sure that the box with the action 'Cut' is checked and there's a red swatch next to it.

'''I sent

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T19:07:24Z

SD:

== General preparations ==

*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

==='''WARNING'''===
*Using a laser is potentially a serious '''fire hazard'''. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, do not abandon the machine. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*Although nigh impossible to do with this machine: never look directly into the laser.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gasmasks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*No MDF.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
[[File:Lasercutter corner.jpeg|300px]]
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
[[File:Lasercutter af.jpeg|300px]]
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0, 0, 0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named '''[S3-9228] Trotec Ruby''' on the desktop.
*If the website asks you for a username and password, use the following.
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*In the queue double-click your file.

====Design tab====
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]
*In this screen you can select what lines need which color (and therefore what function should later on be associated with it). If you've used the colors suggested above, it should assign the right color to the right vector elements automatically.
**If not you'll have to redefine 'em. To do so select the elements you want to cut, and click on the red swatch. Select the elements you want engraved and select the black swatch, and so forth.
**'''ATTENTION!''' If anything goes awry later on, or the machine outright refuses to work with you, this is often the place where things went south. Usually because vector elements do not have the right color and are therefore not linked to a specific operation (ie. cutting or engraving)
*If you're happy with your design (size-wise) and all elements have their correct color, you can click on '''CREATE JOB''' in the upper right corner and move on to the next phase.

====Preparation tab====
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-05.png]]
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a '''[+]''' on the screen to indicate where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-06.png]]
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-07.png]]
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on 'Save' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on ''''NO'''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
[[File:Lasercutter letsgo2.jpg|300px]]
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the power button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a 6-8 mm diameter around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*'''Before clicking 'Push to laser'''' select the symbol with the T and three dots from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly.
*At the material screen, assign black to Print&Cut so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Push to laser. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T19:03:47Z

SD:

== General preparations ==

*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

==='''WARNING'''===
*Using a laser is potentially a serious '''fire hazard'''. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, do not abandon the machine. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*Although nigh impossible to do with this machine: never look directly into the laser.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gasmasks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*No MDF.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
[[File:Lasercutter corner.jpeg|300px]]
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
[[File:Lasercutter af.jpeg|300px]]
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0, 0, 0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named '''[S3-9228] Trotec Ruby''' on the desktop.
*If the website asks your for a username and password, use the following
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*Double-click your file.

====Design tab====
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]
*In this screen you can select what lines need which color (and therefore what function should later on be associated with it). If you've used the colors suggested above, it should assign the right color to the right vector elements automatically.
**If not, select the elements you want to cut, and click on the red swatch. Select the elements you want engraved and select the black swatch, and so forth.
**'''ATTENTION!''' If anything goes awry later on, or the machine outright refuses to work with you, this is usually the place where things went south.
*If you're happy with your design (size-wise) and all elements have their correct color, you can click on '''CREATE JOB''' in the upper right corner and move on to the next phase.

====Preparation tab====
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-05.png]]
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a '''[+]''' on the screen to indicate where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-06.png]]
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-07.png]]
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on 'Save' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on ''''NO'''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
[[File:Lasercutter letsgo2.jpg|300px]]
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the power button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a 6-8 mm diameter around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*'''Before clicking 'Push to laser'''' select the symbol with the T and three dots from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly.
*At the material screen, assign black to Print&Cut so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Push to laser. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T19:01:55Z

SD:

== General preparations ==

*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

==='''WARNING'''===
*Using a laser is potentially a serious '''fire hazard'''. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, do not abandon the machine. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*Although nigh impossible to do with this machine: never look directly into the laser.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gasmasks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*No MDF.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
[[File:Lasercutter corner.jpeg|300px]]
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
[[File:Lasercutter af.jpeg|300px]]
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0,0,0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named [S3-9228] Trotec Ruby on the desktop.
*If the website asks your for a username and password, use the following
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*Double-click your file.

====Design tab====
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]
*In this screen you can select what lines need which color (and therefore what function should later on be associated with it). If you've used the colors suggested above, it should assign the right color to the right vector elements automatically.
**If not, select the elements you want to cut, and click on the red swatch. Select the elements you want engraved and select the black swatch, and so forth.
**'''ATTENTION!''' If anything goes awry later on, or the machine outright refuses to work with you, this is usually the place where things went south.
*If you're happy with your design (size-wise) and all elements have their correct color, you can click on '''CREATE JOB''' in the upper right corner and move on to the next phase.

====Preparation tab====
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-05.png]]
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a '''[+]''' on the screen to indicate where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-06.png]]
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-07.png]]
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on 'Save' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on ''''NO'''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
[[File:Lasercutter letsgo2.jpg|300px]]
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the power button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a 6-8 mm diameter around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*'''Before clicking 'Push to laser'''' select the symbol with the T and three dots from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly.
*At the material screen, assign black to Print&Cut so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Push to laser. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T14:55:30Z

SD:

== General preparations ==

*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

'''WARNING'''
*Using a laser is potentially a serious '''fire hazard'''. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, do not abandon the machine. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*Although nigh impossible do with this machine: never look directly into the laser.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gasmasks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*No MDF.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
[[File:Lasercutter corner.jpeg|300px]]
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
[[File:Lasercutter af.jpeg|300px]]
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0,0,0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named [S3-9228] Trotec Ruby on the desktop.
*If the website asks your for a username and password, use the following
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*Double-click your file.

====Design tab====
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]
*In this screen you can select what lines need which color (and therefore what function should later on be associated with it). If you've used the colors suggested above, it should assign the right color to the right vector elements automatically.
**If not, select the elements you want to cut, and click on the red swatch. Select the elements you want engraved and select the black swatch, and so forth.
**'''ATTENTION!''' If anything goes awry later on, or the machine outright refuses to work with you, this is usually the place where things went south.
*If you're happy with your design (size-wise) and all elements have their correct color, you can click on '''CREATE JOB''' in the upper right corner and move on to the next phase.

====Preparation tab====
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-05.png]]
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a '''[+]''' on the screen to indicate where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-06.png]]
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-07.png]]
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on 'Save' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on ''''NO'''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
[[File:Lasercutter letsgo2.jpg|300px]]
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the power button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a 6-8 mm diameter around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*'''Before clicking 'Push to laser'''' select the symbol with the T and three dots from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly.
*At the material screen, assign black to Print&Cut so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Push to laser. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T14:54:13Z

SD:

== General preparations ==

*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

'''WARNING'''
*Using a laser is potentially a serious '''fire hazard'''. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, do not abandon the machine. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*Although nigh impossible do with this machine: never look directly into the laser.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gasmasks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*No MDF.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
[[File:Lasercutter corner.jpeg|300px]]
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
[[File:Lasercutter af.jpeg|300px]]
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0,0,0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named [S3-9228] Trotec Ruby on the desktop.
*If the website asks your for a username and password, use the following
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*Double-click your file.

====Design tab====
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]
*In this screen you can select what lines need which color (and therefore what function should later on be associated with it). If you've used the colors suggested above, it should assign the right color to the right vector elements automatically.
**If not, select the elements you want to cut, and click on the red swatch. Select the elements you want engraved and select the black swatch, and so forth.
**'''ATTENTION!''' If anything goes awry later on, or the machine outright refuses to work with you, this is usually the place where things went south.
*If you're happy with your design (size-wise) and all elements have their correct color, you can click on '''CREATE JOB''' in the upper right corner and move on to the next phase.

====Preparation tab====
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-05.png]]
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a '''[+]''' on the screen to indicate where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-06.png]]
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-07.png]]
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on 'Save' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on ''''NO'''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
[[File:Lasercutter letsgo2.jpg|300px]]
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a 6-8 mm diameter around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*'''Before clicking 'Push to laser'''' select the symbol with the T and three dots from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly.
*At the material screen, assign black to Print&Cut so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Push to laser. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

File:Lasercutter letsgo2.jpg

2026-04-23T14:53:51Z

SD:

File:Lasercutter letsgo.jpg

2026-04-23T14:36:07Z

SD:

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T14:26:49Z

SD:

== General preparations ==

*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

'''WARNING'''
*Using a laser is potentially a serious '''fire hazard'''. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, do not abandon the machine. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*Although nigh impossible do with this machine: never look directly into the laser.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gasmasks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*No MDF.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
[[File:Lasercutter corner.jpeg|300px]]
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
[[File:Lasercutter af.jpeg|300px]]
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0,0,0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named [S3-9228] Trotec Ruby on the desktop.
*If the website asks your for a username and password, use the following
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*Double-click your file.

====Design tab====
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]
*In this screen you can select what lines need which color (and therefore what function should later on be associated with it). If you've used the colors suggested above, it should assign the right color to the right vector elements automatically.
**If not, select the elements you want to cut, and click on the red swatch. Select the elements you want engraved and select the black swatch, and so forth.
**'''ATTENTION!''' If anything goes awry later on, or the machine outright refuses to work with you, this is usually the place where things went south.
*If you're happy with your design (size-wise) and all elements have their correct color, you can click on '''CREATE JOB''' in the upper right corner and move on to the next phase.

====Preparation tab====
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-05.png]]
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a '''[+]''' on the screen to indicate where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-06.png]]
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-07.png]]
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on 'Save' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on ''''NO'''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a 6-8 mm diameter around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*'''Before clicking 'Push to laser'''' select the symbol with the T and three dots from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly.
*At the material screen, assign black to Print&Cut so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Push to laser. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

File:Lasercutter af.jpeg

2026-04-23T14:23:03Z

SD:

File:Lasercutter corner.jpeg

2026-04-23T14:21:58Z

SD:

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T14:15:32Z

SD:

== General preparations ==

*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

'''WARNING'''
*Using a laser is potentially a serious '''fire hazard'''. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, do not abandon the machine. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*Although nigh impossible do with this machine: never look directly into the laser.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gasmasks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*No MDF.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0,0,0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named [S3-9228] Trotec Ruby on the desktop.
*If the website asks your for a username and password, use the following
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*Double-click your file.

====Design tab====
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]
*In this screen you can select what lines need which color (and therefore what function should later on be associated with it). If you've used the colors suggested above, it should assign the right color to the right vector elements automatically.
**If not, select the elements you want to cut, and click on the red swatch. Select the elements you want engraved and select the black swatch, and so forth.
**'''ATTENTION!''' If anything goes awry later on, or the machine outright refuses to work with you, this is usually the place where things went south.
*If you're happy with your design (size-wise) and all elements have their correct color, you can click on '''CREATE JOB''' in the upper right corner and move on to the next phase.

====Preparation tab====
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-05.png]]
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a '''[+]''' on the screen to indicate where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-06.png]]
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-07.png]]
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on 'Save' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on ''''NO'''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a 6-8 mm diameter around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*'''Before clicking 'Push to laser'''' select the symbol with the T and three dots from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly.
*At the material screen, assign black to Print&Cut so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Push to laser. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T14:11:28Z

SD:

== General preparations ==

*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

'''WARNING'''
*Using a laser is potentially a serious '''fire hazard'''. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, do not abandon the machine. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*Although nigh impossible do with this machine: never look directly into the laser.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gasmasks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*No MDF.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0,0,0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named [S3-9228] Trotec Ruby on the desktop.
*If the website asks your for a username and password, use the following
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*Double-click your file.

====Design tab====
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]
*In this screen you can select what lines need which color (and therefore what function should later on be associated with it). If you've used the colors suggested above, it should assign the right color to the right vector elements automatically.
**If not, select the elements you want to cut, and click on the red swatch. Select the elements you want engraved and select the black swatch, and so forth.
**'''ATTENTION!''' If anything goes awry later on, or the machine outright refuses to work with you, this is usually the place where things went south.
*If you're happy with your design (size-wise) and all elements have their correct color, you can click on '''CREATE JOB''' in the upper right corner and move on to the next phase.

====Preparation tab====
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-05.png]]
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a '''[+]''' on the screen to indicate where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-06.png]]
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on 'Save' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on ''''NO'''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a 6-8 mm diameter around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*'''Before clicking 'Push to laser'''' select the symbol with the T and three dots from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly.
*At the material screen, assign black to Print&Cut so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Push to laser. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

File:Lasercutter20260423-07.png

2026-04-23T13:58:59Z

SD:

File:Lasercutter20260423-06.png

2026-04-23T13:57:41Z

SD:

File:Lasercutter20260423-05.png

2026-04-23T13:54:33Z

SD: Preparation screen

== Summary ==
Preparation screen

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T13:52:02Z

SD:

== General preparations ==

*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

'''WARNING'''
*Using a laser is potentially a serious '''fire hazard'''. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, do not abandon the machine. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*Although nigh impossible do with this machine: never look directly into the laser.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gasmasks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*No MDF.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0,0,0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named [S3-9228] Trotec Ruby on the desktop.
*If the website asks your for a username and password, use the following
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*Double-click your file.

====Design tab====
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]
*In this screen you can select what lines need what done. If you've used the colors suggested above, it should assign the right color to the right vector elements automatically.
**If not, select the elements you want to cut, and click on the red swatch. Select the elements you want engraved and select the black swatch, and so forth.
**'''ATTENTION!''' If anything goes awry later on, or the machine outright refuses to work with you, this is usually the place where things went south.
*If you're happy with your design (size-wise) and all elements have their correct color, you can click on 'Create job' in the upper right corner and move on to the next phase.
*Click '''CREATE JOB'''

====Preparation tab====
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a [+] on the screen to let you know where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on 'Save' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click ''''PUSH TO LASER'''' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on ''''NO'''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a 6-8 mm diameter around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*'''Before clicking 'Push to laser'''' select the symbol with the T and three dots from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly.
*At the material screen, assign black to Print&Cut so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Push to laser. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T13:47:50Z

SD:

== General preparations ==

*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

'''WARNING'''
*Using a laser is potentially a serious '''fire hazard'''. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, do not abandon the machine. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*Although nigh impossible do with this machine: never look directly into the laser.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gasmasks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*No MDF.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0,0,0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named [S3-9228] Trotec Ruby on the desktop.
*If the website asks your for a username and password, use the following
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*Double-click your file.
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]
*In this screen you can select what lines need what done. If you've used the colors suggested above, it should assign the right color to the right vector elements automatically.
**If not, select the elements you want to cut, and click on the red swatch. Select the elements you want engraved and select the black swatch, and so forth.
**'''ATTENTION!''' If anything goes awry later on, or the machine outright refuses to work with you, this is usually the place where things went south.
*If you're happy with your design (size-wise) and all elements have their correct color, you can click on 'Create job' in the upper right corner and move on to the next phase.

*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a [+] on the screen to let you know where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on 'Save' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click 'Push to laser' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on ''''No'''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a 6-8 mm diameter around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*'''Before clicking 'Push to laser'''' select the symbol with the T and three dots from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly.
*At the material screen, assign black to Print&Cut so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Push to laser. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T13:46:44Z

SD:

== General preparations ==

*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

'''WARNING'''
*Using a laser is potentially a serious '''fire hazard'''. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, do not abandon the machine. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*Although nigh impossible do with this machine: never look directly into the laser.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gasmasks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*No MDF.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0,0,0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named [S3-9228] Trotec Ruby on the desktop.
*If the website asks your for a username and password, use the following
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*Double-click your file.
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png]]

*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a [+] on the screen to let you know where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on 'Save' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click 'Push to laser' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on ''''No'''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a 6-8 mm diameter around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*'''Before clicking 'Push to laser'''' select the symbol with the T and three dots from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly.
*At the material screen, assign black to Print&Cut so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Push to laser. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

File:Lasercutter20260423-02.png

2026-04-23T13:46:02Z

SD: View of the first screen

== Summary ==
View of the first screen

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T13:44:13Z

SD:

== General preparations ==

*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

'''WARNING'''
*Using a laser is potentially a serious '''fire hazard'''. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, do not abandon the machine. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*Although nigh impossible do with this machine: never look directly into the laser.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gasmasks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*No MDF.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0,0,0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named [S3-9228] Trotec Ruby on the desktop.
*If the website asks your for a username and password, use the following
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*Double-click your file.
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a [+] on the screen to let you know where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on 'Save' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click 'Push to laser' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on ''''No'''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

=== Back to the machine ===
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a 6-8 mm diameter around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*'''Before clicking 'Push to laser'''' select the symbol with the T and three dots from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly.
*At the material screen, assign black to Print&Cut so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Push to laser. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

2026-04-23T13:43:38Z

SD:

== General preparations ==

*In Illustrator make sure your artboard is the same size as your material.
**'Document setup' -> 'Edit artboards'

*Use vectors for cutting and engraving.

*Work in RGB colorspace
**'File' -> 'Document Color Mode'

'''WARNING'''
*Using a laser is potentially a serious '''fire hazard'''. Always consult with an instructor before putting material in if you're unsure about its suitability.
*Because of this potential fire hazard, do not abandon the machine. Satisfying your nicotine addiction is not worth torching the Printmaking Studio.
*Although nigh impossible do with this machine: never look directly into the laser.
*Because we don't want to sit around with gasmasks on, engraving or cutting PVC is '''forbidden'''.
*No MDF.

== Basic operations (cutting and engraving) ==
=== On the machine ===
*Turn on the machine with the key.
*Once the machine is on, it'll lower its table all the way down. Wait for it do so.
*Open the lid and put your material in the upper left corner of the work field.
** '''ATTENTION:''' Make sure your material is as flat as possible, and if it can fly away (like paper) that it is taped down or weighed down.
*Close the lid and use the 'Z'-button (click both arrows at the same time) to autofocus the laser.
*The machine will now attempt to autofocus on the material. If it has done so, you should hear a beep.

=== On the computer ===
*Unlike the previous lasercutter, this one does not necessarily require specific thickness of line or specific colors, because the operating system for the lasercutter can assign different colors to vector elements depending on the intended operation.
**For ease of use however, it is advisable to use RGB red (255, 0, 0) for cutting and black (0,0,0) for engraving, and other colors (such as blue or green) for different degrees of engraving (if needed).
*Save your Illustrator (.ai) file and get it on the lasercutter's computer.
*Open up the operating system for the lasercutter. It's the Chrome shortcut named [S3-9228] Trotec Ruby on the desktop.
*If the website asks your for a username and password, use the following
**Username: wdka.publicationstation@hr.nl
**Password: !4Students
*Drag and drop the file into the queue.
[[File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png|The queue]]
*Double-click your file.
*The system now opens up your .ai-file. It might start protesting about an unrecognised color space. Click on 'OK' to move on.
*In this screen you see the entire work field of the laser cutter, with your design superimposed.
*Decide where your design needs to be cut on the material and drag it there (if needed).
**The system shows a [+] on the screen to let you know where the laser is relative to the work field. You can use this to precisely outline where your design needs to go on your material.
**To move the laser, you can use the arrows on the machine itself.
*Now select the material you're going to work with, on the right.
**There's a number of presets in the list, but maybe not specifically your material. If your material is not there, ask an instructor what to choose instead.
*Once selected, you can see what colors are assigned to what action and with which properties.
*If you double-click on the material you can adjust the settings (if need be) and you can assign extra colors to different actions (ie. deeper engraving or lighter engraving).
*A few pointers as to the variables that can be adjusted:
**Power from 0% to 100%, and indicates the strength of the laser.
**Speed, from 0% to 100%, and indicates the speed with which the machine will cut or engrave.
**'''The faster the machine goes, the less heavy the impact is on the material (and, obviously, the other way around).'''
*Click on 'Save' if you're set.
*Once you're satisfied with the result, click 'Push to laser' in the upper right corner. If the system prompts that the settings were changed, click on ''''No'''' (otherwise your previously specified settings will be wiped).

On the machine side again
- Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
- The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
- Cut and/or engrave.
- Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
- ATTENTION! Please click the button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

=== Back to the machine ===
*Click on the 'play'-button that blinks green.
*The lasercutter will now sound like a Boeing 747 taking off: as annoying as it is, this is normal.
*Cut and/or engrave.
*Once done, the machine will beep and you can open the lid to take out your stuff.
**'''ATTENTION!''' Please click the button to silence the machine once you're done so the Printmaking Studio becomes an oasis of tranquility again. Or even better, turn the key.

==Advanced operations==

===Print & Cut===
This lasercutter is outfitted with a camera, so it's capable of using registration marks to precisely cut out material. For example, if you've first printed your design with the UV flatbed printer (a.k.a. The Mimaki) you can (subsequently) cut it out with the lasercutter. To do so follow these steps:
*Add three dots (full RGB black) with a 6-8 mm diameter around your design.
*Add your cutline in full RGB red (255, 0, 0).
*Print on your material using a printer or (if on non-paper material) UV flatbed printer.
*Drag your .ai file into the queue.
*Double-click the file.
*Specify colors if need be. In this case red for the cutting.
*Follow the usual steps for basic operation of the lasercutter (autofocus the machine, click on 'Create job', specify your material in the operating system).
*'''Before clicking 'Push to laser'''' select the symbol with the T and three dots from the toolbar.
*A black bar will appear on the left side of the work field, this indicates the lasercutter's blind zone (in other words the part of the field the camera cannot reach. Move your artwork accordingly.
*At the material screen, assign black to Print&Cut so the machine understands that it has to look for that color as its registration marks.
*Push to laser. The machine will now look for the black dots you placed.
*Sometimes it finds the dots rightaway but sometimes you'll have to guide the laser towards the first mark.
*On the machine's screen you'll see whatever the laser sees through its camera. Move the laser with the arrows until the dot comes in proper view and the screen shows a green outline around it. Click on '''ACCEPT''' and the lasercutter will jump to the point where it expects the next dot.
*Once the lasercutter has found all dots it'll start.

File:Lasercutter20260423-01.png

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SD: Queue for the lasercutter

== Summary ==
Queue for the lasercutter

Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

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Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

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Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

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Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

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Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

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Quickstartguide:Laser Cutter

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