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I have a Scor-Pal, and 9 times out of 10 when I score a 8.5" sheet of paper @ the 4.25" mark, it folds just a little bit off - I mean like 1/16" uneven - one side is slightly longer than the other. Not a major deal but definitely noticeable and detracting from my finished cards.
Is it me? I had a friend try it several times and got the same result. BUT sometimes it works. Leads me to believe that perhaps that odd time it works that I'm actually not holding it firmly in the corner (or something else to affect the result).
I've checked my trimmer (Making Memories), my technique, changed how I hold the scoring tool, stood up, sat down.... everything I can think of to see if I'm doing something wrong. (I mean, it's a piece of plastic, how broken can it be?) I just can't come up with anything UNLESS it's my Scor-Pal that is just a tiny bit off. Is this possible? Have you ever heard of such a thing?
If it were that, would there be an easy work-around to adjust to the tool and get the right result?
How are you folding the card? After 20 years of stamping, I just learned that when you fold the card together, you match up the ends, then score from the center to end and from the center to the end. All paper tends to 'skew' a little if you don't do it that way. HTH
One thing I found is that if I'm holding the paper near the 1" end, instead of holding it down near the 3.5-4.0" line, the paper will skew a little and my score will be off just a tiny bit. When I remember to hold it down next to where I'm scoring, this doesn't happen at all. Hope this helps!
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I thought I was the only one who was wonky! Am going to have to try both the folding suggestion & the holding near the scoring suggestion.
I had the same problem until I discovered that the cardstock I was using tended to "bow" up just a little on each side. I would put it on the Scorepal straight, then when I scored it, the end that is supposed to be flush with the edge would slip up just enough to throw the measurement off a little.
I now hold the paper down very carefully when I score and it's much better.
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I have found that sometimes the paper is not a true 8 1/2 x 11. When that happens it will always be off. I just trim the excess off with my trimmer and the card is still the right size!
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I was having the same problem on at least half of the cards I was scoring with my scor-pal, thanks for all the suggestions, now maybe it will be better.
I have found that sometimes the paper is not a true 8 1/2 x 11. When that happens it will always be off. I just trim the excess off with my trimmer and the card is still the right size!
I agree with you!!!! I have had the "tad extra" problem with some cs when I do the 4 1/4" or 5 1/2" score (i.e. folding cs in half). Funny thing, the only time it happens is with SU cs....did some unofficial checking with my cs and found out that SU cs tends to be a tad bigger than 8 1/2 X 11.
Rather than let this bug me, I decided that it was better to have a bit extra than a bit less. I just cut off the excess on that edge.
One thing I found is that if I'm holding the paper near the 1" end, instead of holding it down near the 3.5-4.0" line, the paper will skew a little and my score will be off just a tiny bit. When I remember to hold it down next to where I'm scoring, this doesn't happen at all. Hope this helps!
good to know. i will try that the next time i score a card.;)
To fix that, I score and then line up the tips before folding the card in half and then press in the crease using the score tool. If that makes any sense!
Okay, here's how I do it:
1) take a piece of 8.5 x 11 card stock
2) trim the cs midpoint on the long edge getting 2 sheets of cs 8.5 x 5.5
3) take one of those pieces, line it carefully up in the top left corner of my Scor-Pal
4) holding it as close to the center as I can, push firmly (not so firmly that I might bow the plastic though) down against the surface (keep it flat) and up against the top (keep it straight)
5) score on the 4.25 groove
6) take the cs and carefully match the 2 outside edges making sure the outside corners are perfect, lay it down
7) working from the outside edges to the middle and holding those firmly, take my bone folder and carefully crease the score - everything looks great at this point - straight, even, nice and then....
8 ) voila! very straight, but mismatched edges! :confused:
It wouldn't be so bad if I could easily trim off that little bit extra, but then the other edge is longer - back and forth until my card is ALL messed up and I feel pretty stupid.
Is there some inherent flaw in my approach? Seems like I'm trying a lot of the things that work for others. Maybe it's time to give up.:rolleyes:
Thanks for all the help, and it's really nice to hear I'm not the only one!
When I first got my scor-pal the same thing was happening to me. Finally figured out it was not the score but was happening when I was folding. As others have said be sure you line up carefully along the top and left sides. Hold close to the score line and be sure to use the side of the score tool (not the tip).Now after I score I keep the left side of the card against the left edge of the scor-pal and bring the right side over and line up with the side paying extra attention to the corner. Crease the fold while the card is still on the scor-pal. Works every time for me. It does feel a little awkward at first but I just finished 50 thak you cards this way and perfect folds every time.
When I first got my scor-pal the same thing was happening to me. Finally figured out it was not the score but was happening when I was folding. As others have said be sure you line up carefully along the top and left sides. Hold close to the score line and be sure to use the side of the score tool (not the tip).Now after I score I keep the left side of the card against the left edge of the scor-pal and bring the right side over and line up with the side paying extra attention to the corner. Crease the fold while the card is still on the scor-pal. Works every time for me. It does feel a little awkward at first but I just finished 50 thak you cards this way and perfect folds every time.
This is exactly what I do! No more problems!
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I just started noticing this also. I am using PTI paper, so it's not just SU paper. I have started to compensate for the "off" edge by holding my paper down just shy of the left edge. Seems to help!
Ladies....Consult the Scor-Pal website for the proper scoring and folding technique for making an A2 card.
Be sure you are using the 4 1/4 channel for scoring.
Have paper/cardstock aligned with the top and left ledge of the Scor-Pal.
After scoring bend card with the valley on the outside and pinch in the MIDDLE of the fold (naturally, your cut edges should be even, though they may not appear to be).
Working from the middle of the fold to the outside, crease with your fingers.
Go back to the middle and work to the other end.
Using a bone folder, crease the fold to make it crisp from top to bottom.
If you try to just match up the cut corners or cut edges after scoring you probably will not get an even folded card.
Providing you have started with a perfectly cut 8.5x11 inch paper/cardstock, the above method will work every time.
A super source for this type of information is the Scor-Pal website.
huh... I have NEVER had this happen? are you folding the bump in or out? that could be the 1/16 right there
This - I was actually going pose the question of which you fold the crease. I match up my corners with the "valley" on the outside and don't have any problems.
When I first got my scor-pal the same thing was happening to me. Finally figured out it was not the score but was happening when I was folding. As others have said be sure you line up carefully along the top and left sides. Hold close to the score line and be sure to use the side of the score tool (not the tip).Now after I score I keep the left side of the card against the left edge of the scor-pal and bring the right side over and line up with the side paying extra attention to the corner. Crease the fold while the card is still on the scor-pal. Works every time for me. It does feel a little awkward at first but I just finished 50 thak you cards this way and perfect folds every time.
Hey, you may have something here. I'm definitely going to try that this afternoon when I get time in my craft room. It does sound awkward, but sometimes that's just the thing that works. I'll let you know how it goes. Thank you!
There's lots of great advice here already on how to ensure even edges. 9 times out of 10, it is the paper that is off; SU! paper is notorious for being off, so are many 12 x 12 papers I've used. I've never used PTI paper so I don't have a comparison for it.
Also, many paper trimmers are off as well, so it could be the cut that is made previously.
I know that my previous paper cutter did not cut accurately, but the cutter I have now does, no uneven edges at all.
The Scor-Pal itself is accurate as it is an engineered steel injection mold.
It is recommended that after you score your paper and are preparing to fold it, bring you ends together, and snug your card up into the top and corner fence, then set the score and your ends should line up.
This sounds great but . . . the only problem with this method is that you are folding your cardstock the wrong direction after scoring. The bump should be inside, not outside.
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Scor-Pal - miscalibrated?
