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Paper Trimmer ...

RustyBug
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Paper Trimmer ...

What do folks use to gang print on larger sheets, then cut down to size multiple prints?

Sep 23, 2023 at 07:30 PM

chez
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Paper Trimmer ...

Logan matte cutter. Use to cut both prints as well as mattes.

Sep 23, 2023 at 07:34 PM

armd
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Paper Trimmer ...

How large are you going? The Rotatrim Pro Series are fantastic and it is likely to outlive you, but a decent sized one will set you back over $450. A Dahle Pro of equal size might be $75-100 less and is very good. Rotatrim makes a single rail trimmer though in my experience they aren't as solid and precise. I can't speak to the Dahle "personal line" series as they are limited in size and don't appear to be as well made. Unfortunately, I don't have experience with other brands.

Sep 24, 2023 at 02:41 PM

RustyBug
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Paper Trimmer ...

My printer is 17" wide, so that's one data point for consideration.

As I'm a newb to printing, I'm uncertain what my real / future needs might be.
Near term input is to cut down 8x10 into 5x8 or 4x5 kind of thing.

Rationale, 8x10 is the smallest paper I can load in bulk tray.

Matting needs ... secondary consideration. Not there, yet.
That said, let's just go with preparation for an exhibition of say 15 - 20 pieces (next year

) for a WAG.

Sep 24, 2023 at 03:31 PM

rdeloe
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Paper Trimmer ...

I'm using a 17 inch printer. I bought a 24-in Rotatrim Pro. It's superb.

Sep 24, 2023 at 04:23 PM

chez
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Paper Trimmer ...

Personally if you are spending the money on a high end cutter like the Rotatrim, I'd rather look towards a matte cutter which serves just as well as a print cutter. Rusty, you're 20 piece exhibit will require matte which can add up in price if you purchase them pre-cut. What I really like about having a matte cutter is that I don't have to stick to "standard" size matte openings...but rather cut the matte to match the print.

IE: Don't have to fit all my images into say 8x10 or 11x14 openings.

Sep 24, 2023 at 04:42 PM

neilvan
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Paper Trimmer ...

Rotatrim Pro M30. Best money I've spent in a long time. It's incredibly satisfying to use and built to last.

Sep 25, 2023 at 02:18 AM

armd
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Paper Trimmer ...

chez wrote:
Personally if you are spending the money on a high end cutter like the Rotatrim, I'd rather look towards a matte cutter which serves just as well as a print cutter. Rusty, you're 20 piece exhibit will require matte which can add up in price if you purchase them pre-cut. What I really like about having a matte cutter is that I don't have to stick to "standard" size matte openings...but rather cut the matte to match the print.

IE: Don't have to fit all my images into say 8x10 or 11x14 openings.

Yes, one can use a matte cutter to trim photos though it is a bit more complicated and one has to change blades with more frequency. The precision and ease on a Rotatrim can't be beat (yes, I have both).

Sep 25, 2023 at 08:04 PM

RustyBug
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Paper Trimmer ...

armd wrote:
Yes, one can use a matte cutter to trim photos though it is a bit more complicated and one has to change blades with more frequency. The precision and ease on a Rotatrim can't be beat (yes, I have both).

Are talking about trimming on the matte cutter with the straight blade ... or a rotary blade attachment (i.e. Logan) on matte cutter when cutting paper?

The Rotatrim looks like it uses a larger rotary blade than the Logan. Obviously, you can't use a rotary cutter to cut inside mat corners, so if I do get a Rotatrim, I'd still need some form of mat cutter ... to complement the Rotatrim.

That said, the video's I've watched of the Rotatrim do seem like it is the superior paper trimmer for making "through" cuts. For stop cuts, the straight blade seems necessary.

Sep 25, 2023 at 08:41 PM

chez
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Paper Trimmer ...

RustyBug wrote:
Are talking about trimming on the matte cutter with the straight blade ... or a rotary blade attachment (i.e. Logan) on matte cutter when cutting paper?

The Rotatrim looks like it uses a larger rotary blade than the Logan. Obviously, you can't use a rotary cutter to cut inside mat corners, so if I do get a Rotatrim, I'd still need some form of mat cutter ... to complement the Rotatrim.

That said, the video's I've watched of the Rotatrim do seem like it is the superior paper trimmer for making "through" cuts. For stop cuts, the straight blade seems necessary.

If you are planning on getting a matte cutter, there is no need for a separate paper cutter. I use the Logan matte cutter for both mattes and prints and have zero problems doing this. I would think long and hard of dropping $450 on a Rotatrim if you are also thinking of cutting your own mattes.

Sep 25, 2023 at 09:19 PM

armd
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Paper Trimmer ...

chez wrote:
If you are planning on getting a matte cutter, there is no need for a separate paper cutter. I use the Logan matte cutter for both mattes and prints and have zero problems doing this. I would think long and hard of dropping $450 on a Rotatrim if you are also thinking of cutting your own mattes.

Something happened to my original reply and my response is predicated on your intent. If you are cutting and trimming a lot of prints and occasionally matting, buying both makes more sense. If you're planning on cutting a mat with every print and don't do a whole lot of volume, one can accomplish this with a mat cutter.

Sep 26, 2023 at 05:04 PM

chez
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Paper Trimmer ...

armd wrote:
Something happened to my original reply and my response is predicated on your intent. If you are cutting and trimming a lot of prints and occasionally matting, buying both makes more sense. If you're planning on cutting a mat with every print and don't do a whole lot of volume, one can accomplish this with a mat cutter.

Unless you are running a production line, cutting a few prints now and then is no problem with a matte cutter. Op said something like 15 to 20 prints for next years exhibit…that’s peanuts as far as cutting prints.

Sep 26, 2023 at 05:51 PM

RustyBug
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Paper Trimmer ...

chez wrote:
Unless you are running a production line, cutting a few prints now and then is no problem with a matte cutter. Op said something like 15 to 20 prints for next years exhibit…that’s peanuts as far as cutting prints.

For some added clarity ... I mention the exhibit more as an example of potential matting. As to prints (without matting), I plan to be cutting down many more small-ish (8x10 > 5X8 or 4x5, etc.) more frequently than cutting mats. I'm sure I'll still be "small potatoes" in certain regard, but I'm thinking to invest in the Rotatrim, and then augment with a basic mat cutter, for the limited number of mats.

Basic thought is that with a 17 inch printer, I'll be cutting down 17x22 sheets to 16x20, so a 24" Rotatrim would suffice. If I went with something of a pano off a roll, I could go longer, but still wouldn't likely be trimming down the long side in that case, anyway.

So, either a 24 or 30 Rotatrim seems to make some sense.

As to the mat cutter, I could just go with the straight bar and a couple of the better cutters Logan offers, and installing it into my own squaring rig (I've got a large guide for my table saw that could do the the trick, or make a replica).

In either regard, I think the small paper trimming needs (handouts / promo / giveaways) will exceed my mat cutting needs in terms of frequency of use (thus, more worthy of the investment) ... and the convenience / ease will be appreciated more often.

I get Chez's point about "double duty", so I'll still ponder this a bit. No hurries, atm ... but, I do see that B&H has a some open box Rotatrims marked down, so I'd be under $300 for a Rotatrim of either 24 or 30 inch. I figure if I go past 24" (as rare as that'll be for me ... if / when), I can straight cut it by hand / ruler. Which, btw ... I do have a fabric cutting table setup for another family member who is very well versed in hand-held long rotary cuts.

Current plan is that larger prints will be outsource (for now). If I eventually grow to getting a larger printer ... then, that would likely be a driver for investing in a larger mat cutter (then, paired with the smaller Rotatrim).

Not sure if that makes sense or not ... still soaking it in, a bit. Still, realizing I'm a newb on this topic.

Thanks for the input(s).

Sep 26, 2023 at 06:30 PM

armd
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Paper Trimmer ...

It sounds like you're thoughtfully working through this and that's important. Again, I find it easier and more effective to cut a variety of prints on a rail type cutter designed specifically for the task. I print on rolls with a variety of sizes and layouts and in spite of the printer having a built-in cutter, it cannot cut out individual prints. That is done by hand and the rail cutter is quick, precise, and effective. Yes, I cut mats too and have a decent Logan mat cutter but quite candidly, when doing volume, it is more labor intensive. As Chez observed, if you're doing a handful of prints for a show or exhibition or printing once every couple of months, yes it can be done relatively easily with a mat cutter.

Sep 26, 2023 at 07:34 PM

RustyBug
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Paper Trimmer ...

Was checking out the FB marketplace for a decent Rotatrim / Logan, and saw some Fletcher cutting systems. 2000 / 2100 / 2200.

Wondering if Fletcher products should be considered as a quality tool as a viable alternative to the Logan for mat cutting duties? On par, worse, better, etc.

I'm still thinking the Rotatrim is the tool for paper cutting duties.

Sep 27, 2023 at 07:06 PM

chez
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Paper Trimmer ...

Fletcher matte cutters are high end and come with a high price tag. They are more geared to production facilities rather than a hobbyist.

Sep 27, 2023 at 08:55 PM

RustyBug
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Paper Trimmer ...

chez wrote:
Fletcher matte cutters are high end and come with a high price tag. They are more geared to production facilities rather than a hobbyist.

Got a few in the area where folks are either getting out of it, or upgraded to a newer Fletcher. Used, obviously, but for less than the price of a new Logan or new Rotatrim, in some cases. Just wondering if a used Fletcher is worth considering vs. a new Logan.

Sep 27, 2023 at 09:07 PM

armd
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Paper Trimmer ...

RustyBug wrote:
Got a few in the area where folks are either getting out of it, or upgraded to a newer Fletcher. Used, obviously, but for less than the price of a new Logan or new Rotatrim, in some cases. Just wondering if a used Fletcher is worth considering vs. a new Logan.

Yes, many years ago, I worked in a shop where we had Fletcher cutters. They are high quality, durable, and precise. If you can source one, the cutting head is solid and not in need of replacement (expensive), and it meets your needs, then go for it.

Sep 28, 2023 at 07:19 AM

sbay
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Paper Trimmer ...

I have a rotatrim and the cut is superb. But it has a few issues including that it is very slightly mis-aligned off 90deg and the ink for the grid is starting to come off the base and can sometimes leave marks on the back of papers.

Sep 28, 2023 at 07:44 AM

chez
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Paper Trimmer ...

Sep 28, 2023 at 07:59 AM

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