How to cut paper with a craft knife?

28th February 2020


How to cut paper with a craft knife


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		The technique you use with your craft knife depends on the type of cut you wish to make. Here are some steps explaining how to make both straight and curved cuts with your craft knife, when cutting in paper, card or a similar material.

		Straight cuts
		When using a craft knife for these types of cut, always use a ruler to make sure the line is perfectly straight. A metal ruler is best as a craft knife may cut through a plastic or wooden one.

		Step 1 – Draw cut line Using a pencil, draw a guide for the line you wish to cut.

		Step 2 – Position ruler Place your ruler along the straight line which you wish to cut. Ideally, position it so that it covers the side of the material which you are aiming to use rather than the waste material side. The reason for this is that if a mistake is made when cutting, the side you wish to keep is protected and still intact.

		Step 3 – Score surface For precision when cutting straight lines, it may be an idea to score the material first by gently running the pointed tip of the blade down the edge of the ruler, along the cut line. This will help create a perfectly straight line without a messy edge.

		Step 4 – Cut material Finally, draw the sharp edge of the blade down the scored line, pressing a little harder to cut through the material completely.


		Curved cuts
		A craft knife is an ideal tool for cutting curved patterns or shapes or letters from a piece of paper of card. When making curved cuts, a swivel craft knife would be an ideal type to use, due to its rotating blade.

		Step 1 – Draw cut line Using a pencil, draw the outline of the shape or pattern that you wish to cut out.

		Step 2 – Position blade Place the edge of the blade on the outline of the shape to be cut.

		Step 3 – Cut material Begin to cut the material. If you are using a swivel craft knife, then simply move the blade edge along the outline. The swivel feature means the blade will easily rotate in the direction you wish to cut.

		However, for all other types of craft knife, gently pull the blade along the outline of the pattern to be cut. At some points you may find it easier to gently move the material around the blade, rather than the other way around. This can especially ease the task of cutting small and intricate patterns in thin sheets of paper.