Cutting card stock
 

I seem to really have a problem cutting my card stock so it is even, no matter what I do, hold the paper tight , hold the ruler tight, it still comes out uneven. I have tried using the edges of a full sheet if card stock to make sure I am starting with a straight edge, still I have uneven cuts, HELP!!

What kind of trimmer or cutter are you using?

Your trimmer may be off. Measure your cs, cut carefully then measure the cs again.

I went through a lot of cutters until I purchased my Gensis. There are a lot of threads on here about cutters. Check some of those out.

i am using a fiskars trimmer, i will try cutting and measuring the cardstock, thanks

Hi,
Might want to check out spellbinders. They have come out with sets of dies that allow you to cut cardstock layers into card sizes. You can combine the sets and have a 1/8th inch border if you want. Last year it was for A2 size cards. This year they came out with sets for 5x7 cards and sets with rounded corners.
HTH,
craftydgtr

A really good cutter will save so much heartache...worth the price! I have found that some cs really is not true, however. I have had some that is off by almost 1/16th of an inch and that is a real problem unless you notice it before you start your cuts.

As the previous poster says, its quite often that the original sheet is not true, I check mine now with the grid on my cutting mat- I've wasted so much time/cardstock, trying to square things up later. Hth.

This is a good video.

Becca Bit: Making Straight Cuts � Becca Bits � Amazing Paper Grace

I don't think it would matter what kind of cutter you are using.

Lesley

Thanks, Lesley. That is a great video. I think I see a triangle ruler in my future.:)

I started out as a quilter, so after trying loads of cutters, I resorted to my see-thru quilting ruler and a rotary cutter. To get the exact size for a layer, for example, I lay the card on the layer I'm wanting to cut, lightly trace around it with a pencil, then using the rotary cutter trim slightly inside of the pencil line to allow for the bottom layer to show around the edges. To cut the base layer of the card itself, I take whatever size envelope I am going to use, than use my Scor-Pal cutting board to trim the cardstock to size, making sure I've allowed enough space on all sides for the thickness of the card.

Also, not sure how your fiskars is set up, but I have a making memories rotary trimmer. It is very important with mine to make sure I am lining up the top or bottom edge of the paper with the top or bottom RULER printed on the trimmer, and NOT the top or bottom edge/lip of the trimmer. The RULER is squared; the TRIMMER BODY is not.

Perhaps that is a similar issue with yours.

That's an excellent point! I have this same trimmer, love it, and have recommended it to others. They didn't realize you couldn't just slap your paper on and put it clear up to the top and cut away, lol. So they had crooked cuts.

I usually align my paper with the grid lines on the base and get very accurate cuts.

Has anyone tried the new SU paper cutter? IF so what do you think? My fiskars is worn out I need to replace it.

Love it! My pursuit of looking for the best is over!

Thanks so much for posting this. I don't know if it will work the same as the triangle, but I just purchased (it's en route) a t-square (I got the idea from Jennifer McGuire videos) to help keep things straight. Nothing frustrates me more than folding a card and the edges don't meet or my mat layers don't have 90 degree corners grrr LOL.........

Thanks Pearl....I'm going to order it, the #'s have rubbed off my Fiskars.

Thanks Lesley that is a neat video, I think a Triangle ruler will be my next tool to purchase :)

This is so true.....I've found the same thing.....also found some pieces of cardstock are not true either. I've ordered the new SU trimmer the one thing I liked is it is wider so you can cut 5 1/2" with out pulling the arm out.

I like the SU paper trimmer. I have only used it a few times. I often make cards in bed(have back/hip problems) and this trimmer is easy to use.

I got my SU paper trimmer and I really like it. It takes some getting use to, but so far when making a lot of cuts the pieces seem to come out even. I'm happy!!!! and as my DH always says, "When Mama is happy, everyone is happy" :)

Where do you get your SU trimmers?

Thanks.

Sedg, the SU cutter is a Stampin Up cutter, you can get it from anyone selling SU products. It works really well.

Thank you so much. I completely forgot about SU meaning Stamping Up - Duh...I will definitely check out these cutters - I'm in desperate need of a good one. Thanks again, Sue.

Wow I just checked out the SU trimmer preferred price in the US 29.99 , 41.95 in Canada - crazy. I think I will just keep checking around.

Just read Becca's triangle ruler tip - ya learn something everyday!

I have the Tonic guillotine cutter and I love it. I have had it for several years and actually just ordered the small version. I have had several cutters over the years and got rid of all of them.
Bobbi

I like the Fiskars brand but it hasn't really worked out for me. I like them becasue they cut really well but the first one I had was the 12' Surcut Trimmer (with the wire). Loved it becasue I could really get an accurate, even cut very easily. It has a wire that the cutting blade runs on. You can see exactly where the blade was going to cut your paper. Unfortunately, the wire started to unravel after two weeks of use, and once it's messed up, the trimmer does'nt work well anymore.

Then I tried the Fiskars Desktop Rotary Trimmer 12''
My cuts were always a slightly off from the first time I used it. I thought I would get used to it and figure it out. I did. The plastic base is raised a little on four plastic stoppers that I guess are designed to keep it steady (it does'nt sit flush against your table) Well, everytime I put pressure to cut, as the rotary blade crosses the center, the plastic gives and my cut is not accurate. I have tried over and over, to find the right pressure, but it's a pain. I don't like messing around with it.

I bought a Wescott 12' Titanium Trimmer with a swing out ruler arm (Target) on a whim, and have been using it. It works well- no fancy design, it sits flat against my table, and has both a scoring and cutting blade. The cutting blade is good, but does'nt slice as easily as the Fiskars did through card stock.

I am still looking for the perfect trimmer...I have noticed the Cutterpede Straight Edge Paper Trimmerat my local Michaels, and I think I am going to try it. I will let you know how it works.