Starting with a Brother ScanNCut can feel a little confusing at first.

You may see words like Direct Cut, Scan to Cut Data, Offset, and Background Scan without knowing exactly what they mean.

The good news is that you do not need to learn everything at once.

This simple ScanNCut glossary explains the most useful beginner terms in plain language, so you can feel more confident using your machine.

You can also save the ScanNCut cheat sheet in this blog as a quick reference while you craft.

ScanNCut Machine Terms

These terms are connected to the built-in features on your ScanNCut machine.

Scan

The ScanNCut has a built-in scanner.

This means you can place paper, fabric, a drawing, or another flat item on the mat and scan it into the machine.

You can use Scan to:

• See your material on the screen
• Turn a drawing into a cut file
• Cut around printed images
• Place designs more accurately

The scanner is one of the main features that makes the ScanNCut different from many other cutting machines.

Direct Cut

Direct Cut lets you scan an image and cut around it straight away.

For example, you can place a printed flower on the mat, scan it, select the outline, and let the machine cut around it.

Direct Cut is useful for:

• Printed images
• Stamped designs
• Drawings
• Stickers
• Patterned paper

You do not need to save the scanned image first.

Scan to Cut Data

Scan to Cut Data turns a scanned image into cut lines.

You can then save the design to your machine or USB drive and use it again later.

This is useful when you want to:

• Save your own drawings
• Turn templates into cutting files
• Reuse a scanned shape
• Edit the cut lines later

Direct Cut is for cutting immediately. Scan to Cut Data is for saving the design.

Background Scan

Background Scan shows your mat and material on the machine screen.

This helps you place your design exactly where you want it.

For example, if you are cutting from a small leftover piece of vinyl, you can scan the mat and move the design onto the correct area.

Background Scan is useful for:

• Using material scraps
• Placing designs on patterned paper
• Avoiding damaged areas
• Cutting around existing images
• Saving material

Cut Data

Cut data means the lines your ScanNCut follows when cutting.

The machine does not see a picture in the same way we do. It follows the cut lines around the shapes.

If the cut data is messy, the machine may create too many small cuts.

Simple, clean outlines usually give the best results.

Editing Terms

These tools help you change or organize your design before cutting.

Offset

Offset creates an extra border around a shape, word, or image.

You can use an offset to create:

• Sticker borders
• Layers behind text
• Larger outlines
• Borders around printed images
• Shadow effects

A small offset around a printed image can make it easier to cut cleanly.

Weld

Weld joins overlapping shapes together and turns them into one cut shape.

This is useful for:

• Script words
• Connected letters
• Overlapping shapes
• Names
• Cake toppers

For example, if script letters overlap, welding them prevents the machine from cutting through every letter separately.

Group

Group keeps several items together while you move or resize them.

It does not permanently join the shapes.

You can still ungroup them later if you need to edit one item.

Use Group when:

• Moving several shapes together
• Resizing a full design
• Keeping parts organized
• Working with layered projects

Align

Align helps you position objects neatly.

You can use it to line up shapes:

• In the center
• Along the top
• Along the bottom
• To the left
• To the right

This is useful when making labels, signs, cards, and layered designs.

Resize

Resize means making a design larger or smaller.

Always measure the item you are decorating before resizing your design.

For example, measure the space on your:

• Shirt
• Mug
• Card
• Sign
• Bag
• Sticker sheet

A design may look large on the screen but still be too small for the finished project.

Duplicate

Duplicate makes an exact copy of a selected design.

This is helpful when you need several of the same item, such as:

• Stickers
• Flowers
• Labels
• Gift tags
• Card decorations

Duplicating saves time and keeps every copy the same size.

Drawing and Cutting Terms

Draw

The Draw function uses a pen instead of a blade.

You can use ScanNCut pens to create:

• Writing
• Outlines
• Decorative details
• Card messages
• Drawn patterns

Make sure the design is set to draw instead of cut.

Seam Allowance

Seam allowance adds extra space around a fabric pattern piece.

This gives you room to sew the fabric pieces together.

This feature is mainly useful for:

• Sewing projects
• Quilting
• Fabric appliqué
• Soft toys
• Fabric decorations

Always check how much seam allowance your sewing pattern needs.