Paper Cutter/Trimmer Guide
Why use a cutter?
Paper cutters are a useful tool can save you large amounts of time. Paper cutters/trimmers are designed to save time by cutting large amounts of paper at a time or precisely cutting documents.
Paper cutters can be used for cutting large stacks of paper, trim a book or cut photographs into the perfect size. Cutters/trimmers can be used for many applications.
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Things to consider before purchasing a cutter.
What will you be cutting?
Different materials require different types of cutters/trimmers. Some of the materials you may want to cut are photographs, cardstock, thim plastic, foam board, cardboard, particle board and standard copy paper. You will want to take into consideration what you will be cutting.
How often will you need to use your cutter?
Many cutters come in a manual or automatic format. Manual cutters require 1-2 free hands to complete the cutting process, while automatic cutters are motor/hydraulic/pneumatic powered and some high end guillotine cutters even adjust themselves according to the cut needed. If you will be cutting documents in large volumes, or simply would prefer not to over exhort yourself, you may want to use an automatic cutter.
How many sheets do you need to cut at a time?
Some smaller paper trimmers will only cut 1-2 sheets of paper at a time. Large, guillotine cutters, can cut up to 3" stack of paper. You will want to make sure your cutter meets you present and future cutting needs.
What size of paper do you need to cut?
Paper cutters come in a wide variety of sizes. You will want to make sure you get a cutter that will be able to cut current and future sizes of paper. Paper cutters generally get more expensive as you increase the paper cutting size. You may or may not need a large cutter.
Is space/mobility an issue?
Will you need to move you paper cutter from one desk to another, or from one office to another? Paper cutters can get heavy and take up a lot of space. You will want to check and see if mobility is an issue. Some larger guillotine cutters take up a lot space and cannot be moved around, whereas some lighter cutters can easily be moved from one location to another with ease. Workstations with wheels are also available to make transportation easy.
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What are the different types of cutters/trimmers?
Photo Trimmers
Although many cutters can be used as photo trimmers, some have been specifically designed for cutting photos.
The LiteCut photo trimmer is an example of a photo trimmer. The LiteCut is a standard arm cutter, but has a built in light that shines through the photograph making it easier for precise cutting.
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Economy Paper Trimmers
Economy paper trimmers are some of the most recognized paper trimmers. Economy trimmers can be frequently seen in schools and churches, and usually consist of metal cutting arm with a wood base. These cutters are good for occasional paper cutting and can usually cut up to 410 sheets of paper at a time.
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Arm Cutters and Trimmers
Arm cutters are similar in appearance to the economy paper trimmers, but they are designed to be used more frequently and cut more sheets of paper at a time. The arm cutters can cut up to 15-50 sheets fo paper at a time.
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Rotary Paper Trimmers
Rotary paper trimmers cut paper in different ways than traditional paper trimmers. A rotary trimmer uses a round blade, encased in a cutting head, that slides along a metal bar. While the cutting head slides across the bar, the blade cuts the paper. Rotary paper trimmers are widely used by photographers and are perfect for precision cutting.
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Foam Trimmers
Foam trimmers work a lot like a rotary paper trimmer. Foam trimmers use a cutting head that floats along a metal bar. While the cutting head slides across the bar, the blade cuts the foam. Foam trimmers are designed to cut through Styrofoam and mounting board.
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Manual Paper Cutters/Guillotine Cutters
Guillotine cutters are a very high end, high volume paper cutter. Guillotine cutters can be used to cut stacks of paper into various sizes. The paper is placed on the cutter, a clamping mechanism is locked into place and handle is pulled, which brings the blade down through the paper. Some manual guillotine cutters can cut up to 800 sheets of paper at a time.
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Electric Semi-Automatic Cutters
Electric semi-automatic cutters work very similarly to the manual guillotine cutters. The biggest difference between the two is the semi-automatic cutters have a power driven blade, which does not require any manual help. Paper is placed on the cutter, a clamping mechanism is manually locked into place and a button is pushed to bring the blade down through the paper.
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Electric Fully-Automatic Cutters
The fully-automatic guillotine cutters are capable of cutting large amounts of paper. These cutters have a power driven clamp and a power driven blade. Many fully-automatic guillotine cutters are capable of cutting up to 3" stack of paper. The only difference between the fully-automatic cutters and the fully-automatic digital cutters is the way you adjust the cut. The standard fully-automatic cutters need to be adjusted manually, where the fully-automatic digital cutters self-adjust after you type the measurements on the keypad.
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Electric Fully-Automatic Digital Cutters
The fully-automatic digital guillotine cutters are capable of cutting large amounts of paper. These cutters have a power driven clamp and a power driven blade. Many fully-automatic guillotine cutters are capable of cutting up to a 3" stack of paper. The only difference between the fully automatic cutters and the fully-automatic digital cutters is the way you adjust the cut. The standard fully-automatic cutters need to be adjusted manually, where the fully-automatic digital cutters self-adjust after you type the measurements on the keypad.
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Glossary
Back Gauge - The back gauge is located on a heavy duty guillotine cutter. the back gauge helps to adjust how deep the cut will be. The back of the paper sets against the back gauge.
Base - The base is where the paper lays while being cut.
Cutting Wheel - The cutting wheel is used with rotary paper cutters. The cutting wheel is located in the cutting head, which slides across a bar while cutting.
Cutting Head - The cutting head houses the cutting wheel on a rotary cutter. The cutting head slides across the rotary cutting bar while cutting.
Cutting Blocks - Cutting blocks are placed in the base of the guillotine cutter. Cutting blocks are usually made of plastic. The blade meets the cutting block after cutting paper. The cutting block keeps the blade sharp by preventing it from cutting into the metal base.
Cutting Arm - The cutting arm is what is manually pulled to cut paper on economy and arm trimmers.
Clamp - The cutting clamp is what holds the paper in place while cutting. This prevents any movement.
LED - LED stand for light emitting diode. These are lights on an instrument panel that turn on and off, indicating what you should do or what is being done.
Lower Blade - Arm cutters have a lower blade that stay in place while the upper blade slides against it. The sliding motion cuts the paper, much like scissors.
Narrow Cut - The narrow cut is the smallest amount of paper that a guillotine cutter can cut.
Pre-Illuminated Cutting Line - Many guillotine cutters have a pre-illuminated cutting line that makes a lighted line exactly where the blade wll cut through the paper.
Self-Sharpening - Many rotary cutters feature a self sharpening cutting wheel. While the cutting wheel is being used, it slides against a metal bar that helps keep it sharp.
Side Guide - The side guide helps you align the sides of your paper before cutting.
Upper Blade - Arm and economy trimmers have an upper blade. The upper blade is what you manually pull down to cut paper.
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