Craft Tip: Cutting

Cutting is important for any paper model or craft. Good cuts make parts fit together better, and make the final craft look good.

Basic Tools

A good pair of sharp scissors is one of the most important tools you will need. Dull scissors can rip the paper, make uneven cuts, and they can be hard to control when precision cutting is key. You can also invest in sharpeners to help keep your scissors working at peak performance.

If you use your scissors for cutting tapes and adhesives, a sticky residue will build up on the blades. It makes cutting less smooth, and paper can stick to the residue, causing ripping or misguided cuts. Try using a pair of scissors with one or both blades coated in titanium. They’ll resist sticky residue, and they’ll stay sharp longer. They’re definitely worth the investment.

Having a few different scissors for different tasks can also be helpful. Use one pair for cutting thin paper, one pair for hacking and cutting thicker paper, card stock, and cardboard, and a pair of needle-nose scissors for cutting small details and getting into hard-to-reach areas.

A favored tool for cutting small details and cutting holes is a craft knife (X-acto is a very popular brand). It is simply a tiny, VERY sharp blade that comes to a point and has a long, thin handle. In a good knife, the blades are replaceable, and many sizes & shapes are available. These blades are very dangerous; one wrong slip, and they can cut you quickly and deeply. You may not even know that you’ve been cut, or begin to bleed for up to thirty seconds. They’re that sharp!

If you do use a craft knife, you’ll notice that the blades get dull and cuts are not as clean any more. X-Acto‘s Z-Series #11 blades are said to not only be the sharpest, but also the longest-lasting.

A craft knife can be your best friend, but it can’t live up to its full potential without its partner, a cutting mat. Self-sealing cutting mats are recommended. Cuts that you make in the mat “seal” themselves, so that your blade doesn’t accidentally slide into an existing groove, suddenly shifting your cutting direction and possibly ruining your project. They also have a longer life; the surface stays flat and smooth.

Cutting

Cut pieces as you need them. Having multiple pieces can be confusing, and you can make mistakes. Additionally, it will allow the just-glued pieces to set as you cut out the next piece(s).

Cut out any center areas first. This will leave the outer areas as a gripping area, and reduce the chances of ripping the piece. Also consider how you cut; cutting tugs on the paper, so you don’t want to tug against a delicate area.

When cutting inner corners with a craft knife, begin at the corner with the tip of your blade, and cut outward. This will give you crisp corners, and you will not risk over-cutting or under-cutting.

For cutting long, straight lines, you can use either a pair of scissors or a craft knife with the aid of a straight edge. A straight edge is a blanket term for anything firm that has a straight edge. It can be a piece of wood, a piece of plastic, the edge of a book or folder, et cetera. The best known, or course, is a ruler, which is manufactured to be perfectly straight.

Study the assembly instructions carefully. If you’re not sure where to cut, don’t; study the instructions until you are reasonably sure. Don’t worry, you can always print out an extra piece.

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