| Buying a paper cutter can be confusing. There are | | | | The best rotary trimmers will have solid metal bars |
| literally hundreds of models and a bunch of different | | | | and ball bearings for the cutting head to slide along. |
| types of cutters that are available on the market. One | | | | Some cutters even use two bars instead of one for |
| type of paper cutter is the rotary trimmer. These | | | | added stability. It is very common for the base of the |
| trimmers use a sharp wheel to cut documents in a | | | | unit to be plastic. However, if the cutting assembly is |
| straight line and are popular for producing craft | | | | not solid you will never be happy with the cut quality. |
| projects, trimming lamination and scrapbooking. | | | | Additionally, you should look to make sure that the unit |
| However, understanding which rotary trimmer might | | | | has markings to help align your documents and if |
| best fit your needs can be difficult. This article will | | | | possible some sort of clamping mechanism to help |
| provide you with five things to consider when choosing | | | | hold your documents in place during the trimming |
| a rotary trimmer. | | | | process. |
| 1. Cutting Length: One of the main features to consider | | | | 4. Consumables Cost: One thing that can be a little bit |
| when buying a rotary trimmer is the length of the | | | | tougher to determine when buying a cutter is the cost |
| cutting surface. Depending on the length of the items | | | | of replacement blades and cutting mats. However, if |
| that you are going to need to trim you will want to | | | | you use your cutter very much you are going to end |
| make sure that you choose a trimmer that is long | | | | up needing replacement blades. For cheaper cutters it |
| enough for your cutting needs. Some rotary trimmers | | | | is sometimes just as expensive to buy a new blade |
| are as small as just a few inches long. However, most | | | | as it cost for the cutter (or close). This is something to |
| trimmers are 11-12 inches long and can be used for | | | | keep in mind when shopping for blades. Higher quality |
| standard letter sized documents. However, if you are | | | | cutters will sometimes use slightly more expensive |
| going to be trimming 12" x 12" scrapbooking paper or | | | | blades but the blades will often last longer. |
| 11" x 17" sheets you will need to make sure that you | | | | 5. Multifunction Abilities: Some rotary paper trimmers |
| choose a larger trimmer. | | | | have the ability to accept specialty blades. These |
| 2. Cutting Capacity: Choosing a rotary paper trimmer | | | | cutters can be converted into scoring devices, wave |
| based on cutting capacity can be a little bit tricky. | | | | cutters and even perforators. In many cases, this is the |
| Although some trimmers say that they can cut as | | | | cheapest way to accomplish these tasks. Some |
| many as 15-30 sheets of paper at a time, most rotary | | | | rotary cutters are available with a dial-a-blade setup |
| trimmers are designed for trimming not cutting. This | | | | that allows users to have three different types of |
| means that you will probably not be happy with the | | | | blades installed at once. Others have specialty blades |
| quality of the cut if you need to cut stacks of paper. | | | | available as separate accessories for the cutter. |
| For that type of application you probably need to find | | | | Separate blades are usually a better option if they are |
| a guillotine cutter. Instead, the cutting capacity is usually | | | | available since they don't require you to replace the |
| a good indication of the quality of the blade and the | | | | whole blade assembly when one type of blade |
| strength of the machine. If you are going to be doing a | | | | becomes worn. |
| lot of trimming with your rotary cutter you are going to | | | | These are five things to consider when choosing a |
| want to choose one that will hold up and give you a | | | | rotary paper trimmer. Look at the different models that |
| superior quality cut. | | | | are available and be sure not to settle for the |
| 3. Construction: One of the things to look for when | | | | cheapest model especially if you are going to do a lot |
| choosing a rotary cutter is the construction of the unit. | | | | of cutting. Good luck, and happy cutting. |