Cutting images - do you or don't you

[madmichelle]

When cutting images for layering, do you leave a tiny white border around the image or do you cut carefully along the black outline?
Why or what not?
My opinion?
I recognize that a tiny border may be faster, but I think it looks more professional to cut precisely on the line! But does it make a difference?

[DianneB1030]

I like the look of the white outline, but I usually end up getting it uneven. For me, it's easier to stay right on the outside of the line.

[cat_woman]

I usually like to leave a small white border. I usually use my CraftRobo & the print and cut feature to cut my digital stamps, so it makes it really easy to get a nice even border.

[buggainok]

I like a narrow white border, too. I am fortunate that I have a "good eye" for this sort of thing and seem to be able to cut it pretty evenly all around.

I've always sewed, so maybe cutting even borders comes naturally to me from years of sewing along the edge of fabric.

[stamphappy1650]

I do both depending on the design.

If I want to keep a white border I draw an outline about an 1/16" from the image and cut between the image and the line. For some reason the line helps me stay close to the image even though you would think I could imagine a line a do the same.

If I cut exactly on the stamped line and I get a little too close I use a marker in the same color of the stamped image to color the edge if I'm not perfect.

[Cook22]

I cut on the line 99.9 % of the time, I just prefer the look, especially for layering. But going by the previous posts, it's obviously a personal preference and everybody's going to have their own preference.

[lylacfey]

I cut around the black line. I like the look better. Some stamps do frame better with a white border. Most of the time I cut close to the black line.

[Beate]

I like the look of leaving about a 1/16" of white border. I think it looks more professional, like a die cut sticker you can buy. Sometimes it doesn't work for a project, but if I cut an image 95% of the time it's with a tiny white border like in this card.

[shazsilverwolf]

Its definitely a matter of personal preference- I cut right up to the line, and can't bear to see a white edge. Only on my own work, I might add, I see it on others & it looks great, on mine I think it looks awful, lol.

[Louisa May]

If I want a white outline, I tend to do it with a gel pen, not by leaving a white edge. I could never get it even with a scissors, especially cutting flowers or other objects with naturally uneven or jagged edges. I cut to the line.

[Inkin One]

I too like a thin border around the image but sometimes that just doesn't happen

Color the world by J.Beare designs

[Jeanne S]

It depends on the day. Sometimes a border and sometimes not for me.

[melissa59]

I usually find the white border distracting from the overall look of a card.
Using pop dots or foam tape makes the main image "pop" off the page. But a white border gives the image a disconnected feeling.

[michellesscrap]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeanne S

It depends on the day. Sometimes a border and sometimes not for me.

i agree, it all depends on my mood and what I am doing, and I don't always leave the space "white" most of the time i make it another color

[ecooper99]

I really like the look of the white border, but I have such a hard time getting it even. So most of the time, I cut right along the stamped line and wish I could cut that perfect border myself.

[shellebelle]

I usually cut with a white background. To me it just looks better.

[CraftyMel2]

I never liked the border until I used the SU butterfly punch with a SU butterfly stamp! I just loved the crispness of it, it made the color stand out and I just liked the look in general. Now I cut a border around everything if I can.

[bwgray]

When I started stamping I always cut on the line and never left a border. Like most of you it was distracting to me. But I could never get it exactly on the line, I kept modifying the shape and usually the image ended up smaller than originally. Nothing extreme --- but I was not happy.

I started looking at the samples online and saw that others were leaving the border and then realized that the punches left and outline around the stamps. I started leaving a border. I found that the border does not need to be perfect. No one notices that you left a little more space here than you did there.

When we create our cards we are looking at them very close and at every tiny detail. I have a painting background and it has been drummed into my head that no one is going to look that closely at your finished work. Your finished card will be viewed at arms-length and will be viewed in its entirety. Unless you have gotten extremely uneven, if anyone notices they will think it was intended (but I don't believe most people even notice).

I believe leaving a slight edge when cutting is much more forgiving than trying to cut directly on the lines. Especially when you are cutting out a bouquet of flowers -- just cut around the outline and detail the other parts of the design.

All of that being said, I usually do cut pretty close, but always try to leave a little bit of a border. And this does not apply to lining up the elements on you card -- they should be even.

But as many of you have said -- it mostly personal preference. Oops, got a little long winded. Sorry.