The Complete
Guide to
Vinyl Cutters.

Precision & Production Power

What is a Vinyl Cutter.

A vinyl cutter is a computer‑controlled cutting machine that uses a precise blade to cut shapes, letters and vector designs out of rolls or sheets of vinyl. Unlike a printer that uses ink, a vinyl cutter physically cuts the design into the media/material, which can then be applied to surfaces such as signs, vehicles, windows packaging and other substrates.

Vinyl cutters are controlled by software on your computer — The Colyer collection of Summa cutters primarily operates using Summa’s proprietary GoSign cutting software, which is enhanced by official direct-cut plug-ins for popular design applications, including Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW, ensuring a seamless workflow directly from your preferred creative suite.

Key Benefits of Vinyl Cutters.

Vinyl cutters deliver professional and repeatable results with benefits including:

High Precision Cutting – Ideal for letters, logos, decals and fine details.
Versatile Material Handling – Cut self‑adhesive vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, and more depending on blade setup.
Efficient Production Workflow – Roll‑fed designs optimise material use and reduce waste.
Professional Branding & Signage – Perfect for corporate signage, vehicle graphics and high‑contrast displays.

These capabilities make vinyl cutters powerful assets for printing, fabrication, branding and manufacturing workflows alike.

Vinyl Cutter Applications

Signage and Graphics
Businesses widely utilise vinyl cutters to produce large outdoor signs, eye-catching retail graphics, and professional window displays

Vehicle Wraps and Fleet Graphics
For branding on the move, vinyl cutters are essential for creating graphics for single vehicles or entire commercial fleets. They precisely cut designs that can be seamlessly applied to cars, vans, and trucks.

Packaging and Prototyping
Summa cutters are used in prototyping packaging designs, creating stencils, paint masks, and applications where accuracy and clean edges are paramount.

Custom Apparel and Promotional Items
Using heat transfer vinyl (HTV), cutters enable the customisation of apparel, sportswear, and other promotional merchandise.

Decals, Labels, and Custom Products
The precision of a vinyl cutter is ideal for creating intricate decals, stickers, and labels. These are often used for bespoke products, promotional materials, and various craft applications.

Summa Cutters from Colyer

Choosing the Right Cutter for Your Business.

When selecting a vinyl cutter, consider:

Job Size & Volume – Larger machines increase throughput and are suited to high‑volume production.
Material Types – Some cutters handle thicker materials better than others.
Precision Requirements – For intricate designs, professional cutters with advanced control deliver better results.
Software Compatibility – Ensure the machine works with your preferred design software (e.g., Illustrator, CorelDRAW)

Our team at Colyer can help advise on the best cutter choice for your specific workflows — from start‑up operations to established production environments.

The Complete
Guide to
Vinyl Cutters.

What is a Vinyl Cutter.

Key Benefits of Vinyl Cutters.

Vinyl Cutter Applications

Summa Cutters from Colyer

Summa S3 TC Series

Summa S3 T75

Summa S3 D75

Summa S3 T120

Summa S3 D120

Summa S1 D60

Summa S3 D140

Summa S1 D120

Summa S1 D140

Summa S3 T140

Summa S3 D160

Summa S3 T160

Summa S1 D160

Summa F Series

Choosing the Right Cutter for Your Business.

Suggested reading…

Drag Knife vs Tangential Knife Cutter