Cutting Board....

Many people have asked, "What do you use to cut your mat board?"

I've had the same Fiskars Craft Rotary Paper Trimmer since 1996. I bought it when I started to make and sell greeting cards. When I started making books, I decided to try using it to cut the board. I order my board from Clearbags.com (I usually by the 4-ply White Backing Board.) While, Clearbags will usually cut the board to the sizes that I want, the spines are too small for them to cut so I cut them using the above trimmer (see the photo? It's all mat board.)

I couldn't find my paper trimmer on fiskars.com. My guess is that it's too old and has been replaced with this one. It looks like it's doubled in price as I remember paying around $40 or so for mine.

Some interesting things:

-In almost 16 years, I've only ever had to change the little rubber mat once.

-I've never changed the blade.

-I only cut board with it now.

-And, yes, my hands do bother me a tiny bit but usually it's only when I've cut a ton of mat board like I had to cut today (for Fremont next weekend) and even then, it's only for a very short time until the red grooves in my hand go away. But ya do whatcha gotta do and I've got classes to teach and books to make, baby!

I also have some of the smaller portable paper cutters. I used to use those for cutting board, need be. You would have to cut, crack the board, flip it over and cut again.

I don't use x-acto knives. They scare the hell out of me. Everything that it super thick that needs to be cut, gets cut on this board.

I hope this helps!