There are many websites where you can get images for private use or commercial. As I do most private I like to search on freepik.com and use if available ai files for adobe illustrator.

But you can also get images from adobe stock or shutterstock just as examples. These are great for commercial usage.

For this project i'm working with this file:
Sport Zitat Hintergrund mit inspirierenden Nachricht | Kostenlose Vektor (freepik.com)

I used the included .eps from freepik and did this steps:

1. Removed copyright and background
2. Weld Text
3. Combined all parts that should be engraved, scored and grouped them by color
4. Export as .svg to import to XCS 2 beta
5. Ungroup in XCS to use masking feature ( havent found in newest update, write in comments please if you know where its located in the newest version …)

For the greeting card I wanted to try out my new honeycomb for the M1. That ended in a very stressful struggle to get the right positions when you want to work with set mm placements. 

If you use the build in cam it's working great but wasn't really the thing I wanted to use.

So I used a program to place the design from freepik and made an osset to create a bleed. This helps when cutting in general to avoid tiny white rims. 

Download .eps file and go to this link first:

EPS to SVG | CloudConvert

• Turn the eps file into svg to use inside XCS as the software doesn't support eps
• Import then into XCS

Note: Don't be shoked if the design doesn't look like the design you donwloaded (Image above right after importing)

When importing and your file wasnt with welded text write down the missing fonts to recreate now

1. import and ungroup
2. replace text and use reference for fonts (can't show as this was made with adobe fonts and these are not shown in XCS)
3. Select all parts that should be engraved or scored, cut
4. Do the job :)

1. Place printed paper and cut only the surfboard (Shape on ignore)
2. Change outputs by selecting shape and make it green and surfboard grey button
3. Place designpaper with pattern in machine and cut shape
4. Use the created vector path to engrave the design as well on envelope (my settings weren't tested right so make sure to try with one before) 

Note: Engraving path isn't included bc of copyright. It's not allowed to reupload the same design on another plattform so if you want to use the same design go to Step 1 and download the file from the link.

As always thats the easiest. You only need to apply some glue and add the parts to create the card.

I like the designpaper with the pattern that resambles water in a different way. 

I hope you liked this kind of project even it's a lot more text and explanation in this project :)