How to Create Die-cut Sticker Outlines in Adobe Illustrator

The process of creating Die-cut sticker outlines can be achieved through various methods using Adobe Illustrator. This article will walk you through the process of creating Die-cut sticker outlines in Adobe Illustrator on desktop and on iPad, including methods for vector images, raster images, font expanded method, font editable method, and digital sticker methods.

How to Create Die-Cut Sticker Outlines For Vector Images in Adobe Illustrator on Desktop

So, you want to create die-cut sticker outlines using vector images? No problem! Just fire up Adobe Illustrator on your desktop and follow these simple steps:

1. Open your Vector file in Adobe Illustrator on your Computer
2. Select all Objects that are part of the sticker you want to create a Die-Cut Line around
3. Copy all selected objects and paste in place on a new layer
4. With all duplicate objects still selected use the pathfinder window to Unite all the shapes
5. Offset path of the new combined shape to your desired Die-cut sticker outline
6. Adjust the fill color and stroke weight to your specifications
7. Drag layer below all other sticker layers to ensure that it’s below all sticker elements.

How to Create Die-Cut Sticker Outlines Using Vector Images in Adobe Illustrator on iPad

Prefer to work on-the-go? Here's how to create die-cut sticker outlines using vector images on your iPad:

1. Open your Vector file in Adobe Illustrator on your iPad
2. Select all Objects that are part of the sticker you want to create a Die-Cut Line around.
3. Select the Duplicate button from the quick bar below the selection
4. Group the duplicate objects and using the layers panel move the duplicate to its own layer
5. Ungroup the objects and select Release compound path
6. Select Combine shapes icon from right menu bar > Combine all > Convert to path
7. Add a stroke weight to the path, adjust to your desired Die-cut Outline
8. Make compound path > Create stroke outline > Combine All > Convert to path
9. Adjust the Fill Color and Stroke weight on the shape to your needs
10. Drag the Layer below your sticker layers so that it’s behind everything else.

How to Create Die-Cut Sticker Outlines For Raster Images in Adobe Illustrator on Desktop

Here's how you can do it on Adobe Illustrator desktop:

1. Open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document.
2. Import your raster image by clicking on File > Place.
3. Duplicate the image and place on a new layer
4. Select one copy of the image and using image trace window
5. Choose Logo > Black and White > Threshold 254 generally works but adjust as needed - Make sure that Ignore white has been selected
6. Use the shape builder tool if necessary to fill in any missing sections
7. Select the new shape and offset path to Die-cut Offset requirements
8. Adjust the Fill Color and Stroke weight on the shape to your needs
9. Drag the Layer below your sticker layers so that it’s behind everything else.

How to Create Die-Cut Sticker Outlines For Raster Images in Adobe Illustrator on iPad

1. Open Adobe Illustrator on the ipad and create a new document.
2. Import your raster image by clicking on photo icon on the left menu bar
3. Duplicate the image using the plus icon on the quick tools bar beneath the selected raster image and place on a new layer
4. Select one copy of the image and select the vectorize icon on the quick tools bar
5. Choose Logo > Black and White > Threshold 254 generally works but adjust as needed - Make sure that Ignore white has been selected
6. Select Expand vectorization when happy with the outline of the object
7. Add a stroke to the new expanded outline to the required die-cut line
8. Select Make compound path > Create Stroke outline 
9. Select Combine Shapes > Combine all > Convert to Path
10. Adjust Fill color and Stroke weight as needed.

How to Create Die-Cut Sticker Outlines The Font Expanded Method in Adobe Illustrator on Desktop

So, what is the font expanded method, you ask? It's a technique where you expand your text into shapes, making it no longer editable as text. This would be most likely used for printed stickers to create an actual cut line. With Digital Stickers you wouldn't need to use this method since you don’t actually “need” a cutline - see the section on  the font editable method below

1. As always open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document
2. Type out you word or phrase, adjust all the things until you are happy with the sticker design
3. Select your text and select Object > Expand
4. Next use Pathfinder window and unite any overlapping elements, if this will change your design make a copy and paste in place [on a new layer ]and unite the copy only
5. Next Offset Path, Adjusting settings as needed
6. Unite the offset paths as need and use the shape builder tool to fill in any unnecessary holes in the die cut outline
7. Arrange the Die-Cut outline below the sticker layer, adjust fill color and stroke weight as needed.

How to Create Die-Cut Sticker Outlines The Font Editable Method in Adobe Illustrator on Desktop

What is the font editable method?

The font editable method allows you to create an editable die-cut sticker in Adobe Illustrator that you can use over and over again with different words and phrases. It's perfect for digital stickers, but you can also expand it later if you need to use it as a printed die-cut sticker.

1. First, type out your word or phrase in Adobe Illustrator.
2. Open the Appearance window, add a fill and select a color.
3. Add another fill and change the color for the background color [paper color]. Make sure that this fill is below the other fill.
4. Select this fill, and apply an fx > Path > Offset Path.
5. Adjust the offset path settings until you achieve the desired size of your die-cut sticker.
6. And voila! You now have an editable die-cut sticker that you can use over and over again with different words and phrases.

With the font editable method, you can create multiple die-cut sticker outlines quickly and easily. It's a great option if you're making a lot of different stickers in the same font and want to save time. 

Digital Sticker Method

What is the Digital Sticker Method

It is essentially an additional step to the above methods of creating die-cut outlines to make digital stickers look more like a physical sticker or at least the illusion that it sits “on top of the page”. After creating your die-cut sticker outline add a drop shadow effect to the outline.

1. Follow one of the methods above to create an outline for your digital sticker
2. Select the outline and using the appearance window, click on fx > Stylize > Drop shadow
3. Adjust to your preferences.