Advice for paper cutting

FoxyTwinkles

I'm thinking of doing something similar to this http://weheartit.com/entry/501686. I'm just wondering if anyone has any opinions on the right type of paper (thick, thin), and any tips on technique for the fiddly bits.

Thank you!

artyeva

close fibre paper will be easier to cut - that is where the fibres of the paper don't ''fluff'' when you get to corners - so i'd imagine any kind of handmade paper would be out straight away... and in tricky bits i would move the paper, not the knife so you get a clean flat cut. and do everything in small, slow but confident strokes, and always use a cutting mat. i tried a few of these on thick 120gsm cartridge paper and they worked fine but it would depend on what you want to use them for afterwards.

hope that helps - maybe someone else will have better advice on paper choices!

Arcade Panda

I did some of this for my portfolio. I'm afraid my advice will be very simaler to that already given! Use a cutting mat or a bread bord under what your doing. Make sure your knife is sharp and the paper is really thin...if the paper is thin it's a lot easier to cut! As said before for tricky corners, move the paper and not the knife. Stay as alert as possible for bits that are close together because it's very easy to make a mistake!!

FoxyTwinkles

Really helpful, thank you so much guys

looksee

Use a cutting mat certainly, but I wouldn't use a bread board or any wooden board, or cardboard, as the blade will slip into grooves and go where you don't want it to. Also a sharp, new blade in a scalpel (not one of those snap off blades, they are not steady enough.)

People do use scissors for this kind of work too, with very short, fine, sharp blades. I think I would use a mixture as scissors would be better in some situations.

Annierose

WOW that's beautiful! Good luck with your project Foxy, would love to see it when it's finished. I find cutting on a glass surface gives a very clean result. You can get a piece of glass cut very cheaply and they'll even smooth the edges for you and it makes a great cutting board.

Annamarie

FoxyTwinkles

Sound guys. I'm going to draw it up and go for it, will make a point to put up a pic when I'm done

Tiriel

FoxyTwinkles wrote: »

Sound guys. I'm going to draw it up and go for it, will make a point to put up a pic when I'm done

Look forward to seeing it!

neelyohara

It's kirigami, japanese paper cutting.

There is a plethora of info out there but you have the basic info.... cutting mat, fine scissors and a scalpel type blade with a fine point that can be replaced. And a ruler for those straight lines.

Sometimes a plaster or some sort of padding on your index finger can be useful depending on the blade you are using. Any type of paper is good, the thinner the better and watch out for the handmade types that pill and in tricky areas move the paper not the blade.