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Ok I know that I am going to sound like an idiot, but here goes! I am having trouble figuering out how to cut my paper, I have two paper cutters, one large with an arm that comes out, and a little bit smaller. I know that it is grided out and stuff, but is the paper 8 1/2 X 11? For some reason I can not get it straight or the same size all the time.
Please don't feel bad, this is a good question that I think many of us have had at one point or another. First off may I ask what is the brand of your cutter(s). Some brands seem to be better or worse than others. I had a small Friskars 9" one and that one would cut straight until the end, then wiggle a little. Then I got a big Friskars rotary one from Costco that one cuts super straight and multiple sheets in one pass. For quick cuting, I use the Friskars Euro 12" Trimmer, I think it is just like the one SU sells (it has the metal front with the big swing out arm, and triple track). This one has been good so far. Just make sure to butt the paper on the straight end and hold the track down onto the paper so it doesn't slip. Sometimes it is not us, it is the trimmer that needs to be exchanged or the blade may be dull. I hope that helps a little, let us know if you figured it out.
The only thing I would add, is make sure the arm is all the way out and clicked into place. Sometimes I'll get lazy and not clean my table and the arm can't get all the way out. If I don't watch what I'm doing, it would cut completely crooked. The other thing you could do is measure over 5.5 inches on the long side, both top and bottom and put those marks on the cutting groove. That way when it's all lined up it should be straight. HTH
Keep in mind too that all cardstock measurements are approximate. The 12x12 is not necessarily exactly 12x12, and neither is the 8.5x11. That may be throwing you off a bit too.
Not stupid at all. It took me forever to realize that the swing arm was super helpful in measurements. Just slide it out to the 5 and a half mark and cut straight in half. It helps me to make sure I have my cutter on a flat surface. My table tends to get messy and then I get lazy.
...sometimes (depending on quality of the c/s), the c/s doesn't have straight edges. If I get everything cut & folded - & it's still off, I trim the 3 edges a tiny bit with a small guillotine cutter. Start by using the folded edge as your straight edge.
Kitty
Cutting card stock
