Albion AppWorks

The Maker’s Cheat Sheet Pack

The Maker’s Cheat Sheet Pack from Albion AppWorks: the sizes, numbers and limits makers look up again and again, on one page. Print it and pin it by your machine.

Print sizes: how many pixels you need

For a sharp print, aim for 300 pixels per inch (DPI) at the size it will be printed. 150 DPI is the lowest that still looks fine at arm’s length.

Printed width	Pixels at 300 DPI	Pixels at 150 DPI
25 mm (1 in)	300	150
50 mm (2 in)	591	295
75 mm (3 in)	886	443
100 mm (3.9 in)	1,181	591
A4 page (210 × 297 mm)	2,480 × 3,508	1,240 × 1,754
A3 page (297 × 420 mm)	3,508 × 4,961	1,754 × 2,480

The sum: pixels = millimetres ÷ 25.4 × DPI. Always print at 100% / actual size, never “fit to page”.

Cricut and Silhouette

Thing	Size
Cricut print then cut area	6.75 × 9.25 in (171 × 235 mm)
Cricut standard mats	12 × 12 in and 12 × 24 in
Sticker white border	2 to 3 mm looks neat and hides small cut drift
Gap between stickers	at least 3 mm

Print then cut misses by a millimetre or two? Calibrate print then cut in Design Space, print in good light conditions for the sensor, and use matte paper: glossy sheets confuse the registration marks.

Upload stickers as PNGs with a see-through background, so Design Space cuts round the outline instead of a rectangle.

Sublimation and DTF

	Sublimation	DTF
Mirror the print?	Yes, always	No
Works on	Polyester (the more the brighter: 100% is best, 65% the practical minimum) and sublimation-coated blanks, on white or light colours	Cotton, polyester, blends, light and dark colours
Background	White areas do not print (the blank shows through)	Keep it see-through, or it prints as a solid block
File	PNG or JPG at 300 DPI, true size	PNG with transparency at 300 DPI, true size

Press times and temperatures vary by blank and press: always start with the blank maker’s own instructions, and keep a note of what worked.

Laser: before you cut

Run a test card on every new material: a grid of speeds and powers shows the best setting in one go.
Kerf (the width the beam burns away) is usually about 0.1 to 0.2 mm. Allow for it on parts that slot together.
Focus on the top of the material, and use air assist when cutting to cut cleaner and reduce flare-ups.
Mask wood with masking tape or transfer tape to stop smoke marks around engraving.
Never leave a laser running unattended. Keep a fire extinguisher or fire blanket close by.

Never laser: PVC or vinyl (gives off chlorine gas that harms you and corrodes the machine), polycarbonate and Lexan, ABS, faux leather (often PVC), and anything you cannot identify. Chrome-tanned leather contains chromium: choose vegetable-tanned leather for lasering.

Usually fine to laser: plywood and solid wood, MDF (with good extraction), cast acrylic, card and paper, vegetable-tanned leather, cork, felt.

Common product sizes

Product	Popular size
Coaster	90 to 100 mm across
Christmas ornament	70 to 80 mm across, 4 mm hole
Keyring	50 to 60 mm long, 4 to 5 mm hole
Gift tag	60 × 30 mm
Bookmark	50 × 150 mm

Leather

Weight	Thickness	Good for
2 to 3 oz	0.8 to 1.2 mm	Wallet linings and card pockets
4 to 5 oz	1.6 to 2.0 mm	Wallet outers, card holders, small cases
6 to 8 oz	2.4 to 3.2 mm	Bag panels, sheaths, watch straps
8 to 10 oz	3.2 to 4.0 mm	Belts and straps

1 oz is about 0.4 mm (1/64 in). Stitch spacing of 3 to 4 mm suits most small leather goods.

Pricing in one line

Price = (materials + your time × your hourly rate + packaging) × 2, then check it still pays you after platform fees and postage. The free preview of the Maker’s Price & Hide Calculator does the sums for you.

Figures are general starting points for makers. Always test on a scrap first and follow your machine’s and material’s own instructions. From Albion AppWorks: pay-once apps for makers, every one free to try in your browser.