If you cut patterns on a Platinum Cut or DigiCut plotter, you can send a job to it straight from an approved quote instead of retyping the vehicle at the cutter. Plotter sending is a Growth-plan feature (Growth and Pro). On a lower plan, the quote shows an upgrade prompt where the button would be.
How it works
SalesThumb doesn't talk to the plotter directly. A small "bridge" program runs on a computer at your shop (or the plotter's host computer). When you click Send to plotter, SalesThumb sends the job to that bridge, and the bridge adds it to the plotter's queue.
The job includes the quote, the vehicle's year, make, and model, and the quote's notes. No cut file is attached, so the bridge looks the pattern up in its own pattern library.
Connecting your plotter (one-time setup)
Setting up integrations needs permission to manage integrations, which owners and admins have by default.
- Go to Settings → Integrations.
- In the Advanced section, find Platinum Cut Plotter and click Set up.
- Fill in:
- Plotter bridge URL: the web address of your bridge.
- Device model (for example PC-1500 or DC-1300). This shows up when you hover over the send button.
- Bridge API key: only if your bridge uses one. If a key is already saved, leave the box blank to keep it.
- Click Save.
Once it's connected, the card's button changes to Configure so you can update the details later.
Important: SalesThumb sends jobs from the internet, not from inside your shop. The bridge URL has to be reachable from outside your shop network, for example through a tunnel or a static address. A private office-network address (like one starting with 192.168. or 10.) is rejected, and the button will show the bridge as offline.
Sending a job
- Open the quote from Sales in the sidebar.
- Make sure the quote is approved (or already converted to an invoice). The plotter button only appears on approved and converted quotes.
- Find the plotter button in the row above the customer and vehicle details, on the right.
- Click Send to plotter.
When the bridge accepts the job, the button changes to Sent · #3 in queue (with your actual queue position).
What the button is telling you
The button checks your bridge when the quote opens and changes to match:
- Send to plotter (green outline): the bridge answered and is ready. Hover over it to see the device model and bridge URL.
- Bridge offline (amber, greyed out): a bridge is set up but didn't answer. Hover to see the reason. Check that the bridge program is running and reachable, then reload the quote.
- Plotter not configured (grey, greyed out): no plotter is connected yet. Hover for a reminder to add it in Settings → Integrations.
- Failed — retry: the send didn't go through. Hover to see the error, then click to try again.
Related
Frequently asked questions
Q: Why don't I see the Send to plotter button on my quote?
A: It only appears once a quote is approved or converted to an invoice. On a plan below Growth, you'll see an upgrade prompt instead.
Q: Does SalesThumb send the cut file to the plotter?
A: No. It sends the job details (the quote, the vehicle's year, make, and model, and the quote notes), and your bridge finds the pattern in its own pattern library.
Q: Why does it say Bridge offline when my plotter is on?
A: SalesThumb has to reach your bridge over the internet. Make sure the bridge program is running and the URL in Settings → Integrations can be reached from outside your shop. Private office-network addresses won't work.
Q: Do I need a bridge API key?
A: Only if your bridge is set up to require one. Leave the field blank if it isn't.