A method and apparatus (10) for cutting a graphics area (42a) from a sheet (40) of material which also includes a plurality of registration marks (44) at and about the graphics area in predetermined positions. The method involves steps to ascertain the position and orientation of the sheet as placed on the apparatus, sensing the locations of the marks at the time of cutting, and cutting the graphics area from the sheet along a path determined in response to the sensed positions of the marks with respect to graphics area at that time. Certain embodiments use either (a) a subset (46) of marks which is applied on one side of graphics area or (b)certain reference features (49), such as edges and corners of the sheet and elements of the graphics area, to ascertain the position and orientation of the sheet on the apparatus. The invention provides rapid, automated, and precise cutting despite two-dimensional distortion of the sheet.