How to Print and Cut?

How to Print and Cut

How to Align Printed Artwork and Cut Precisely with AEON Laser (Using Red-Dot Pointer & LightBurn)

Video: https://youtu.be/dD-1LMhkl4M 

Creating perfectly cut stickers, labels, or printed inserts using your AEON laser is easier than you think — even without a camera. The Print & Cut feature in LightBurn works beautifully with the red-dot pointer on AEON machines like the Mira series.

In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through aligning your printed artwork and cutting it with precision, using nothing more than your AEON laser and LightBurn software.

Whether you’re making custom packaging, stickers for resale, or DIY projects, this method will give you accurate, professional results — without the need for a camera.


🔧 What You’ll Need

  • AEON Laser (e.g. Mira 5, 7, 9, etc.)

  • LightBurn software (latest version recommended)

  • A home or office printer

  • Your printed design on sticker paper, cardstock, or other material

  • Cut line file (vector-based)

  • A flat surface for printing (warped sheets = bad cuts)


🖨️ Step 1: Design & Print Your Artwork

Create your design in software like Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, or even within LightBurn itself. You’ll need two things:

  1. The full-color printed artwork

  2. The vector path (cut line)

⚠️ Important: Your cut line must match the printed artwork exactly. Use alignment marks or crosshairs on the print to help match it later.

Export tips:

  • Save your artwork as a PNG or PDF for printing.

  • Keep the cut line as a separate vector file (e.g. SVG, DXF, or native LightBurn format).

  • Ensure your printer doesn't resize the file — disable any “fit to page” or auto-scaling options.


Add two simple target marks to your artwork. These can be small black crosses, dots, or corners printed on the same sheet as your design. Place one near the top left and another diagonally opposite (bottom right is ideal).

💡 LightBurn needs two non-collinear reference points to align your cut file to the printed image. This tells it how to rotate and scale the design correctly.


🧲 Step 3: Load Your Print into the Laser Bed

Carefully place your printed sheet onto the laser bed. Use tape or magnets to hold it flat if necessary. Make sure it doesn't shift during the process.

✅ If you're cutting through paper or thin materials, a backing board or honeycomb tray will help prevent scorching or blow-through.


🔴 Step 4: Align with Red-Dot Using LightBurn’s Print & Cut

  1. Open LightBurn and import your cut line vector file.

  2. Use the laser’s control panel or LightBurn’s Move window to manually position the red-dot pointer over the first printed alignment mark.

  3. In LightBurn, go to:
    Tools → Print and Cut → Set First Target Point

  4. Now move the red-dot to the second printed mark (ideally on the opposite corner).

  5. In LightBurn, go to:
    Tools → Print and Cut → Set Second Target Point

🎯 LightBurn will now mathematically align the digital cut path to your physical print — rotating, shifting, and scaling it perfectly based on the two target points.


🔍 Step 5: Frame the Job

Before cutting, click the “Frame” button in LightBurn. This traces the outside of the cut area with the red-dot pointer so you can visually confirm alignment.

  • If the red dot follows your printed design closely: ✅ You're good to go.

  • If it’s way off: ❌ Re-check that you selected the correct points and that the file hasn't been scaled or resized.


🔥 Step 6: Run the Cut Job

Set your material settings (power, speed, number of passes) for a clean cut or kiss-cut depending on your media.

  • Paper/sticker sheets: Low power, high speed

  • Cardstock: Slightly higher power

  • Acrylic or wood: Make sure to test settings first

Click Start, and let the AEON laser cut the design out perfectly aligned with your print.


🧠 Troubleshooting Tips

  • Alignment off? Double-check that your printer didn’t scale the artwork.

  • Cutting in the wrong place? You may have selected the wrong alignment points or flipped one.

  • Material moving? Use masking tape or magnets to keep it flat during cutting.


📦 Real-World Applications

  • Stickers and decals

  • Product labels

  • Gift tags and business cards

  • Printed invitations or inserts

  • Small batch packaging and branding materials


📝 Final Thoughts

You don’t need a fancy jobcontrol camera system to get perfect results with your AEON laser. The red-dot alignment method using LightBurn’s Print & Cut feature is powerful, accurate, and ideal for users who value precision and flexibility.

With just a little practice, you’ll be producing sharp, professional-quality cuts that match your prints to perfection.