Hello all, been using Inkscape for a while mainly just to remove backgrounds. But now I'm wanting to create my own screen print and vinyl decal designs. Fixing to buy my own vinyl cutter, but working with a vendor right now. Right now I'm trying to create a vector image they can use to put into their program to cut vinyl decals for me. They will create the vector image for me for $15 but would like to learn to do it myself.

I have researched search engine, searched this forum, and read the FAQ. What I have been doing is: Path > Trace Bitmap > see photo in DropBox link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/r1tink7obx0xn ... 9.png?dl=0

Is this the method to create a vector image to be used for screen printing and vinyl cutting? Also, the lines using this method are not smooth, still getting jagged edges.

I've read and seen information about tracing the image. How would I trace an image made up of multiple objects... if that is a better/correct method?

It's one way you can use, but not the only way. You could draw the image yourself, either freehand, or by tracing an existing raster image, using Pen/Bezier tool.

More experience with Trace Bitmap, and you'll learn how to smooth out the lines some. They charge $15 for a reason!

I'm not sure what you mean about tracing an image made up of multiple objects. Why would that be any different than tracing an image with 1 object?

Hi.

With a "simple" image like in your post I would "trace by hand" .
You would likely spend as much time cleaning up the "auto-traced" image as
you would spend drawing from scratch.

To "hand trace" place the image to be traced on a separate layer at bottom of the layer stack,
lock the layer to prevent you accidentally moving the image.
Use the spline tool and draw around the contours of the parts in your image - be aware of the symmetry,
no need to trace both pistons, trace one - duplicate - flip horizontally and move.
Same for the tooth-wheel, you just need to trace one tooth, move the rotation center of the tooth to the center
of the tooth-wheel - duplicate - rotate to new position - rinse & repeat until you have half a tooth-wheel,
joint the teeth's - combine - duplicate & flip to make the other half.

For cutting - make sure your paths are joined - basically by clicking one node and select all (CTRL -A)
should select the whole object's cutting path.

For the state outline in the center - find a ready made svg image online (Google is your friend) - copy & paste - make sure you respect copyrights!
example

Good Luck
RGDS
Ragnar