Copyright Silhouette School 2016. Powered by Blogger.


How to Print and Cut on the xTool M2 Step by Step (Video)

Print and cut on the xTool M2 is a multi-step workflow that lives mostly in the software, and it's easy to get stuck if you don't know what to click next. 

xtool. xtool m2,laser cutter,laser engrave


Here's the full process start to finish - including the mistakes made along the way, like a shifted material and missed magnetic clips, so you can skip them on your first try.

How to set up print and cut mode on the xTool M2

Before starting, set the cut line to actually cut rather than score or engrave, and confirm the CMYK inkjet module is installed on the machine. From there, click the process button and select start on the machine itself. The print head will lift its bottom cap out of the way before printing begins, and once the print finishes, the machine automatically rehomes and the software confirms it's done.


For more background on the xTool M2's features and setup, see xTool M2 Review: What's Actually Included (and What's Not)

Mistakes to avoid during your first print and cut

After the print finishes, remove the inkjet module and swap in the laser module — this is where it's easy to accidentally shift the material if you're not careful working over it. The package includes magnetic clips that hold material in place at each corner in place of the honeycomb tray, so use them from the start. If the material does shift anyway, don't try to move it back into position; instead, use the camera view in the software to realign the design over the material's new position before cutting.

Why the xTool M2 doesn't need a riser base or honeycomb

The xTool M2 uses small riser clips instead of a honeycomb tray, and it doesn't require a separate riser base to handle taller objects the way some other machines do. For a first print and cut, use a basic shape already loaded in the software along with a scrap material like the included wood, so you can focus on learning the workflow itself before importing your own files or using expensive material.




Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund Silhouette School so I can keep buying new Silhouette-related products to show you how to get the most out of your machine!





No comments

Thanks for leaving a comment! We get several hundred comments a day. While we appreciate every single one of them it's nearly impossible to respond back to all of them, all the time. So... if you could help me by treating these comments like a forum where readers help readers.

In addition, don't forget to look for specific answers by using the Search Box on the blog. If you're still not having any luck, feel free to email me with your question.