Attempting to do perforation patterns with the punch tool for my SB on 14mil art paper.
I originally tried to plot the points with the line tool and pencil within SCAL but it would not cut the pattern. They weren't visible unless you hovered over the points with the tool, I don't know if that means something but when I opened preview and enabled "show nodes" it showed the points so I know they were there...
I then made the pattern in Photoshop and traced the image to do a print and cut. I got the machine cutting... Here is where the issues start.
The machine won't cut them perfectly. They are often unaligned and sloppy looking. Spacing isn't even and in parts where it is a straight line they aren't straight. I unsolicited the software settings and started playing with the V and F. I turned up the V to 265 and the F down to 45 and the pattern got tighter and less sloppy (still not perfect or as good as this machine SHOULD be able to do) but now with the settings adjusted it is not penetrating the material enough so not enough light passes through.
If someone could please help me out with improving my punch pattern and this issues that would be amazing! I was originally going to buy a KNK machine but a few people told me to go with the "amazing" SB for great punches and other abilities such as embossing. Not loving the decision currently...
Also, when I removed the material from the mat there is often marks from the adhesive/bumps on the back where the rollers are located that tend to ruin prints. Any fix to this? I get that the sticky mats are useful but I almost wish they would have designed this different.
By the way, I have the table attachments for my SB as I THOUGHT it would help, it hasn't.