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Buying a paper cutter can be confusing. There are hundreds of models and a bunch of different types of trimmers that are available on the market.
Paper Trimmers are operated manually, electrically or hydraulically. Trimmers are divided into three categories: foam board trimmers, guillotine paper trimmers and rotary paper trimmers. Foam board trimmers cut standard, rigid, Sintra or other types of foam boards up to 1.18" in thickness. Guillotine paper trimmers are strictly manual, while rotary trimmers may be manual or electric. New generation electric rotary paper trimmers are now available with auto paper advance.
Choosing the appropriate paper trimmer will depend on the volume you plan to cut as well as the media and size of your project
Factors to Consider
Different styles of paper media require different styles of cutters and trimmers. Make sure the model you choose will be appropriate for trimming photographs, cardstock, thin plastic, foam board, cardboard, particle board or standard copy paper.
You may determine which machine to buy based mainly on the number of sheets of paper you need to cut at a time. If you need to cut more than 50 sheets, you'll want to consider purchasing a cutter rather than a trimmer.
Some smaller paper trimmers are designed to only cut one to two sheets of paper at a time. Larger, guillotine style cutters are able to slice through a three-inch stack of paper. Be sure to select a cutter or trimmer that will accommodate your present and future cutting needs.
Cutters are typically used to cut paper or card stock, but trimmers can cut paper, card stock, poster board, mat board, foam mounting board, plastic, film, negatives, tissue and textiles.
Will your cutter be in a stationary location or will it be moved to different areas. Some paper cutters are made for desktop use. They are light and easy to move from spot to spot. Others are large, cumbersome, heavy, and take up a lot of space. If you require a larger cutter but still need mobility then workstation wheels are available For making complicated cuts or repeat cuts, you should purchase a programmable electric cutter that lets you program and save numerous cutting sequences
For smaller volumes of paper, a trimmer is often ideal . A paper trimmer gives any project the precision and professionalism it needs. Whether you are cutting a stack of paper with a guillotine paper cutter, trimming photos or paper with a rotary trimmer at home for a scrapbook, or cutting mat board with a commercial heavy duty paper cutter at a professional framing shop,
These machines are similar to the paper cutter, but are meant to make smaller cuts. Paper trimmers are useful for home offices or hobbyists, since they can also be used to cut a variety of materials, including felt and cloth
The main difference between paper cutters and paper trimmers is that cutters allow you to cut a greater number of sheets of paper at one time by pushing a blade straight through the paper, while trimmers allow you to cut a smaller number of different types of stock, including poster boards, mat boards, foam mounting boards, plastic, film, negatives, tissue and textiles usually by a blade slicing at an angle (guillotine or rotary). |
