Creating Cut outlines on Illustrator

Here is a very useful method of adding singular cut outlines for complicated shapes, specifically used in sticker-creating scenerios...

Before you start manipulating your image, copy the photographic layer by dragging it into the "create new layer" icon.

Select the copy layer. Click on the drop-down menu of the "Image Trace" tab. Then select the "Silhouettes" option.

Next, press the "Expand" tab, which will make the image more editable.

Change the outline/fill settings on the navigation bar. The first option should be transparent and the second set to black.

Click on the "Object" tab and hover over the "Path" option, which should navigate you to the "Offset Path" setting.

"Offset" determines the distance of the outline from the photographic image. "Joins" stylizes the smoothness.

You will be left with two clean lines and a series of unwanted scribbles. Open the copy layer to see all the outline layers.

Remove any unnecessary outlines by turning off the "layer visibility" tabs on each corresponding layer.

Remove the inner line by turning off the "layer visibility" tab. You should be left with one solitary outline.

Turn on the original photographic layer by clicking on the "layer visibility" tab. You will be left with the printing cutline.

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