Massicot, rotary paper trimmer, lever cutter... How to choose your cutting tool?
Massicot (guillotine cutter), rotary paper trimmer, lever cutter, pile cutter ... To be able to make the right choice, you need to be well informed about all the characteristics of the cutting tools!
Before we get to the heart of the matter, let's start with a small definition. A paper cutter is a machine that cuts a stack of sheets or cardboard at right angles in one go. Originally developed to meet the needs of the printing, stationery and publishing industries, this tool has been democratised and is intended for all professionals (or at least those who need to cut paper). One press on the handle, and 50 A4 sheets are cut! And not just like that! Clean, straight, neat and perfectly cut, no less.
Two cutting mechanisms
Rotary cutter trimmer, lever cutter, stack cutter, board cutter... It is sometimes difficult to find one's way around the technical jargon of cutting tools. A brief practical explanation is in order! Although different names are used, only two main types of tools can be distinguished.Equipment with a lever-operated blade
Both the massicot and the lever cutter belong to this category, the only difference being that the lever cutter also has a lower blade (just like a pair of scissors!). In both cases, the paper is cut cleanly, in the manner of a guillotine.
Cutters with a rotating blade
These are called rotary paper trimmers. In this case, the cut is made by passing the blade across the paper from left to right or from right to left. The cut is clean but it is not possible to cut a large quantity of sheets at the same time.
Focus on specialised brands
To avoid unpleasant surprises (blades that move, fixings that are too light, etc.), it is best to trust specialist brands.
In the field of cutting tools, Dahle, Ideal, Rexel and Fiskars guarantee a sharp, high quality blade.
To avoid unpleasant surprises (blades that move, fixings that are too light, etc.), it is best to trust specialist brands.
In the field of cutting tools, Dahle, Ideal, Rexel and Fiskars guarantee a sharp, high quality blade.
A massicot or a rotary paper trimmer for whom, for what?
Professional useIn an office, often near the printer, the Massicot paper cutter can be used to produce flyers, handouts for presentations or other unusual formats, save space for filing, etc. And that's not all: this cutter also saves on printing costs by imposing documents. Imposition consists of placing several other copies of the same document on a standard size (A4 for example), after which several documents are cut to their final size in one go. All this is done in a sharp, fast and precise manner. Ideal for designing advertising or commercial flyers!
Creative use
Cutters can also be indispensable at home or at school. Scrapbooking, art, invitations for special occasions... For creative work, a paper cutting machine offers clean, straight and flawless cuts, on paper of different thicknesses and with an excellent result.
Of course, for a professional job you need a different kind of cutter than for scrapbooking. So let's look at the basic tips for choosing the right cutter.
How to choose a lever or a rotary paper trimmer?
Of course, it has to cut! But that is not the most important thing. Here are the criteria to consider in order to make the right choice.The cutting capacity (also called cutting height): this is the number of sheets you want to slice in one cut. For information, a cutting capacity between 10 and 50 sheets corresponds to a classic office use.
To cut up to 150 sheets of 70 gsm paper at a time, choose a cutting capacity of 15 mm.
To cut up to 200 sheets of 70 gsm in one go, choose a cutting capacity of 20 mm.
The maximum format to be cut: the question of the maximum format (A4, A4+ or A3) is crucial because it is not necessary to own the Rolls Royce of cutters if you have no use for it!
For cutting A4/A4+: choose a tool with a cutting length between 320 and 387 mm.
For cutting A3/A3+: choose a tool with a cutting length between 430 and 460 mm.
For cutting A2: choose a tool with a cutting length of 615 mm.
The dimensions and location of the cutting machine: we are sometimes so focused on the technical details that we forget the essentials! However, it is vital that you plan in advance where you are going to install the cutting equipment. For the record, the depth of the table determines the length of the documents to be cut, and must therefore be at least equal to the length of the final document.
The frequency of use: depending on whether you use the machine occasionally, regularly or intensively, you do not need the same equipment. A roller cutter is suitable for occasional use. And because of their capacity, lever cutters with or without lower blade are more suitable for regular or intensive use.
Cutting accuracy: measurement markings on the table, side stop with scale, retractable stop for positioning the paper, device for pressing the paper to prevent slipping ... Many elements can facilitate and improve the cutting accuracy of paper cutting machines. Think about it!
The different types of cutting: good to know! There is "cutting" and "cutting". As proof, some equipment offers several types of cut: straight cut, groove cut, pre-cutting...
Safety features: blade blocking, protective screen, weight... all these elements should be closely observed, especially if working with children. Note that the heavier the instrument, the more stable and therefore safer it will be! The lighter it is, the easier it will be to move or store.
Removable blade or not: a removable blade is a plus, so you can have it sharpened or replaced.
Do you need to cut some paper? Now you are ready to cut, slice and chop at will. :)