TIPS &

File Management

When you think you’ll remember... But you don’t...

When receiving new materials, cut a small piece from each type you receive, and label it on the back to reference it to a list or glue it to an index card. On this list or card, keep the ‘vitals’ of that material: where you got it, how much it cost, what you plan on using it for. You can follow it up with what you did use it for, how it cut, any notes on working with it, and if you would buy it again.

Developed from a tip by Callie Gordon

I recommend using the built in tag system in Windows and Mac to organize files. Tag by topic, designer, etc. then you can pull them up by anything you want. Google your operating system and “tags” and you’ll find more details on how to use them. For a Mac, the option to add tags is right at the top whenever you save a file and give it a name. You can also right click on a file and choose “info” and add tags there.

Mark J Collier Big Blue Laser Designs

Oopsies are useful...

I used to tape a new tumbler and use a square to draw a line then using that tumbler, I would line up my rotary to the gantry. Now I have a oopsie tumbler set aside that I have taped and a line so whenever I need to realign my rotary I just grab that oopsie tumbler instead of retaping a new tumbler and redrawing the line.

Christina Sams