Cutting Large Sheets of Paper

[colrehogan]

After having read the thread regarding which pt/pd paper people would use if they only had one, I decided I'd go try another one, especially since I found I have a source of it within a 5 min. drive of where I work.

I got a few sheets of 22x30 Arches Platine yesterday on the way home and was wondering if I can just use something like a mat cutter to cut the paper to size? Are there any special things I should or should not do when cutting the paper? Thus far, all my paper has be pre-cut to size, so I am just wondering.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I use a Rotatrim. I don't see why a mat cutter wouldn't work. You could also just use a T-square and an X-acto knife.

 

[matt miller]

I use a ruler and a utility knife most times. Other times, I just tear it to size.

 

[Jeremy]

i just use scissors, but then again I also print on the "B" side

 

[Shinnya]

I just use a straight edge and tear the paper. It creates nice edge to it.

I have not confirmed it, so cannot be sure. But Rotarim may not be good for Pt/Pd. There is a contact between metal and metal when it cuts. This can be a cause for black spots. That is another reason why I do not use any metal cutting blades against a metal straight edge.

If it is for some other processes, I would assume it should be fine.

Happy printing,
Tsuyoshi

 

[donbga]

I just use a straight edge and tear the paper. It creates nice edge to it.

I have not confirmed it, so cannot be sure. But Rotarim may not be good for Pt/Pd. There is a contact between metal and metal when it cuts. This can be a cause for black spots. That is another reason why I do not use any metal cutting blades against a metal straight edge.

If it is for some other processes, I would assume it should be fine.

Happy printing,
Tsuyoshi

Tsuyoshi and all,

As far as I'm concerned the problem with cutting paper with a Rotatrimmer and black spots is just a myth. I've been using one for years and never experienced the problem.

As for cutting large sheets there are several options which people have already mentioned. There is also a plexiglass riping ruler that you can find online that will produce neat deckle edges by tearling the paper. I don't have one but a friend of mine locally owns one and so does Dan Burkholder's wife Jill. They both swear by the tool.

Good luck,

Don Bryant

 

[Shinnya]

Don,

Thanks for the info. Now, I can cut them with Rotaatrim.

Where could I get the plexiglass ripping ruler? I am very curious about it...

Thanks again.

Warmly,
Tsuyoshi

 

[Jeremy]

i just use scissors, but then again I also print on the "B" side

I should addend my post as I also cut my images down to size after printing and drymount them in a floating mat. This impacts the manner in which I cut the paper... it doesn't matter what the edges look like (or if they are even straight) as they will not be viewed in the final presentation.

 

[donbga]

Don,

Thanks for the info. Now, I can cut them with Rotaatrim.

Where could I get the plexiglass ripping ruler? I am very curious about it...

Thanks again.

Warmly,
Tsuyoshi

Here you go:

http://www.inkjetart.com/misc/deckle/

Don

 

[Shinnya]

Can I make this from a sheet of plexiglass? Well, maybe I do not have time for this...

Warmly,
Tsuyoshi

Here you go:

http://www.inkjetart.com/misc/deckle/

Don

 

[John_Brewer]

With 300gsm paper I score lightly with a scalpel, fold back and forth and then tear . Thin stuff I rip using a straight edge.

 

[colrehogan]

Thanks to all who have replied. I will be cutting the paper up when I make the prints for the alt process print exchange.

 

[terri]

This looks awesome! Thanks for the link - I've never heard of this, but I will definitely be checking into this. I tear down those 20x30 sheets of artist's paper all the time and it can be time consuming.