Recommended Roland BN2 Workflow for Mac Users

If you’re using a Mac to run your Roland BN2 there’s a new (yes already) recommended workflow for creating cut lines.

The issue is that license version of Flexi Designer that comes free with the BN2 series does not work on MACs. In addition the one built-in cut line tool Roland Mac users did have in DG Connect’s Designer has frustratingly been removed.

I won’t even get into here why both of these facts are so frustrating and feel like two steps forward and one back…

But I will share my recommended Roland BN2 workflow for Mac users. 

Understanding the Roland DG Connect Hub for MAC

If you're running your Roland BN2 from a MAC thanks to Versaworks 7, the DG Connect Hub looks different than you may be used to. 

In this tutorial we'll go over where to find different settings and functions in the new DG Connect Hub and what those buttons mean. 

Which Roland Machines Are Mac Compatible?

If you've been looking for Mac friendly small business equipment to scale your business, Roland just opened a big door!

Roland recently released Roland Versaworks 7 and it's compatible with both MAC and PC.  It doesn't, however, work with all Roland equipment. Read on to find out which machines and printers are MAC compatible. 

Free Roland Cut Line Creator in New Versaworks 7!

Roland Versaworks 7 is here and it includes a hidden gem that you'll easily miss if you don't know where to look!  

Buried deep within Roland DG Connect there's a new Roland cut line creator that's totally free for Roland users to use to create cut lines and perf cut lines. Read on for how to find and use the browser-based tool. 

How to Add Roland Cut Lines Automatically to PNG Files with Free Flexi Designer for BN2-20A (Free Practice Design)

With the release of the new Roland BN2-20A and BN2-20 one of the biggest changes from older models is the inclusion of the Versaworks Edition of Flexi Designer included with the 20" ecosolvent printer and cutter. 

This creates a fast and seamless workflow that has made creating Roland cut lines faster than ever before.  In fact - I put myself up against the clock and was shocked how fast you can add Roland cut lines for BN2. Follow along to learn how to go from SVG or PNG to cut lines for BN2 in Flexi in minutes. 

As an added bonus, you can download this Sunshine On My Mind design from So Fontsy for free with the code ROLANDBN2 to practice with and follow along. 

Going from Silhouette CAMEO to Roland BN-20A: 5 Steps to Transition Quickly and Cut the Learning Curve

If you are a Silhouette CAMEO user who is adding a Roland BN-20A to your business - I am here to help you quickly cut the learning curve. 

I'm also here to tell you - you have a huge advantage already with your understanding of Silhouette Studio. 

The Roland BN-20A and Roland BN-20 run off the Roland Versaworks software, however you will NOT need another software to create the cut lines. You guessed it - Silhouette Studio is part of that equation. Read on for how to seamlessly transition from Silhouette CAMEO to Roland BN-20A in five easy steps. 

How to Create Roland Contour Cut Lines FREE Without Any Paid Software (Free Practice File)

Did you know you can add Roland Versaworks contour cut lines for free...in other words without Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw, Affinity Designer? You can do it right in Roland Versaworks!! 

Roland quietly added a new feature in Roland Versaworks 6.13 (and higher) that allows users to create contour cut lines on an SVG directly in Versaworks and without any paid software program.  There's just one caveat - the PDF has to come into Versaworks with vector data.  Don't worry if you have no idea what that means I'm going to explain...every step and you won't be paying a cent to add Roland Contour Cut Lines to your SVG files! 

How to Use Silhouette Studio Business Edition (ONLY!) to Create Roland Contour Cut Lines (Video, Too)

If you are a Silhouette Studio Business Edition user and have a Roland BN-20A or BN-20...this is a game changer. 

By combining the power of the one-time paid Silhouette Studio upgrade to Business Edition and the free Roland Versaworks you can create Roland Contour Cut lines without any other software programs including Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer, Corel Draw, or Flexi.  

This is hands down the cheapest way to create Roland Versaworks Contour Cut Lines and will significantly cut down the learning curve for those already comfortable in Silhouette Studio...and even if you're not a Silhouette user - listen up because you don't even need a Silhouette machine to use the Silhouette Studio software!

How to Print Patterned Vinyl at Home

There are various ways to print your own patterned vinyl.  

You can print patterned vinyl with an inkjet printer and inkjet printable vinyl as I shared previously, but you'll get the best results, the longest lasting, and the highest quality with an eco solvent printer and cal vinyl. In this tutorial I'll share the steps for how to print patterned vinyl or heat transfer vinyl with the Roland BN-20A or BN-20. 

How to Create a Roland BN-20 Contour Cut Line Using Silhouette Studio and Affinity Designer

If you're new to Roland BN-20 or BN-20A one of the most intimidating parts can be creating contour cut lines. Fortunately it's easy to add a VersaWorks contour cut lines in Affinity Designer using a cut line and SVG created in Silhouette Studio. 

In fact pairing Affinity Designer and Silhouette Studio is my favorite and most recommended way to quickly and easily add Roland VersaWorks contour cut lines and perf cut lines so you can get on with printing and cutting.

This tutorial is part of a five part series on using Silhouette Studio to create contour cut lines including bleed lines and white borders. If you haven't started from the beginning of the series, I would highly suggest you do that to learn: 

1. How to Create a Contour Cut Line in Silhouette Studio by Tracing (Convert JPEG or PNG to SVG)
2. How to Create a Contour Cut Line with White Border in Silhouette Studio
3. How to Create a Full Color Bleed to Avoid White Edges when Printing and Cutting

This tutorial assumes you have a firm understanding of the three critical steps before advancing...and that you have Silhouette Studio Business Edition and Affinity Designer. 

How to Create a Full Bleed Contour Cut Line in Silhouette Studio

If you are printing and cutting - either with a Silhouette machine or another cutter - it's easy to create a full color bleed area in Silhouette Studio. 

This post is part 3 of my Five Part series on Creating and Working with Contour Cut Lines in Silhouette Studio. If you haven't already followed Part 1 on creating cut lines around your JPEG or PNG by tracing you'll want to do that first.  

If you'd rather have a white border around your entire design, instead of a bleed area, check out Part 2 in this series. And if you are here to create a bleed and contour cut lines for Roland VersaWorks keep reading! 

How to Create a Contour Cut with White Edge in Silhouette Studio

There are many reasons you may want to put a solid white edge around a design in Silhouette Studio. 

A white border on stickers gives a clean, polished, and professional look.  Adding a white edge around your design in Silhouette Studio is fast and easy using the offset tool.  

This post is part 2 of my Five Part Series on Creating and Working with Contour Cut Lines in Silhouette Studio. If you haven't followed Part 1: How to Create Cut Lines around your JPEG or PNG by Tracing you'll want to do that before you go any further.  

If you'd rather NOT have a white edge on you design, but would instead like to create a full color bleed, check out Part 3 of this series.