Cutting Roll Paper - Using Large Format Inkjet Printer? Or Any Other Devices?

[Qebs]

Greetings everyone,


Hope you all are safe.

Does anyone have an experience using large format or wide format inkjet printers to cut negative roll paper into sheets?

From researching forums, people all seem to have their own way to cut roll paper with manual rotary cutters
but I was wondering if anyone knows a device that can do it automatically?
(Be it a stand alone device or modding/hacking/diy-ing with a inkjet printer.

I've read of automatic paper cutters, but they are very expensive or the not in production models that people are using are not very reliable
(the moving parts and even the circuit boards).


Thank so much in advance for any help and advice you can offer!
Be safe everyone

Sincerely,
Kevin H.

 

[glbeas]

I suppose it could be done if the blade can handle the material and you cover any running lights. The computer would need to be outside the darkroom, just set it up to “print” blank sheets the size you want. It probably will not be accurate enough for film to load in holders though but great for print paper. Experimentation would be vital before trusting it to any real quantity of expensive stock.

 

[DREW WILEY]

There are automated XY cutters for photosensitive rolls made for labs. For wider rolls they are rather expensive new (around $6000); but used photolab supply companies do exist. And yes, some of them can be finicky, but most "affordable" inkjet rigs don't have a very good track record for actual durability. Certain people simply use a straightedge with a an attached razor cutter right on the floor, about a $100 investment. But I don't know how they keep their paper clean and undamaged; maybe they don't.

 

[koraks]

There's a few threads on cutting ra4 paper; the same solutions discussed there can be used for b&w paper.

 

[Qebs]

Hello glbeas, thanks for your reply and suggestion to do lots of testing.

Hello Drew, thanks for your replies! - I will look into xy cutters!

Thanks koraks for your reply. I went through 8-10 threads on cutting paper but mostly saw people describing their manual cutting workflow/process. If you can remember a thread on automated cutting, please do share

Thanks everyone again!
Be safe!