Printable View
We don't use any cutters at the moment apart from manual punch presses but looking for a quicker option for cutting out circles in 120gsm A4 paper which are used for badge inserts. Would something like a cameo do this quickly (12-15 circles per sheet)? And is the cutter based on being provided exact locations of circles or intelligent enough to cut any outline?
You can cut badge inserts but you need to create your layout in studio first and also cutting paper shortens the life of the blade.
I assume you mean 'print & cut?'
Yes, the Cameo is capable of that. You don't want the mat too tacky though as it's a devil of a job removing thin (120 gsm, you say?) paper if it's too tacky.
I print & cut my badge inserts with a Silver Bullet and a 45 degree blade which lasts for ages.
With print & cut you can cut any outline around your objects.
I have the cameo 3 and I'm just getting the hang of it. As webtrekker states, the paper bring thin may cause issues. The mat is very sticky and may tear your paper when removing also it could tear when cutting. I tried cutting hearts on similar paper thickness but changed to 210gsm (my kids craft paper) which cut perfectly. Try and remove some of the stickiness first.
Webtrekker, how quick could a silver bullet cut out say 15 circles from a sheet of paper?
UK, I'm at our caravan at the moment so can't time a cut, but I believe it would take around 20 seconds to cut 15 x 56mm circles without using its top speed of 800cm/sec.
For a print & cut you'd have to add say another 20 to 30 second for lining up on the registration marks, then a small amount of time for peeling them off the mat and mounting your next sheet. I'd say the whole job could take under 2 minutes.
Coops - to make a mat less sticky you can roll an old tea towel or piece of fleece over it a number of times. This does however reduce the lifetime of the sticky coating and that's why I use 3m ReMount spray (green can) to replenish the coating. Far, far cheaper than buying new mats, although I do have loads of new kids 'Messy Mats' whic are dirt cheap and do an excellent job when sprayed up.
Many thanks Webtrekker. Possibly not that much quicker than press punch although mass volume is where it could be advantageous. Enjoy your time out.
Thanks. Yeah, probably no time savings to be made. One advantage though is if you want to be able to print & cut a number of different-sized circles from the same sheet with having to change sizes, as you would have to do with a press or circle-cutter.
Unless you have other uses for a cutter though, it's probably better (and cheaper) to stick with what you've got.
This post will confuse future members that are interested in this topic.
cameo is not PRINT&CUT machine. Is nit capable of doing it. Cameo is a cutter only and not printer. So any transfers will have to be printed on external printer with reg marks and than CONTOUR CUT.
So is capable of cutting outlines but is not print&cut equipment.
ps. Silver bullet is also cutter with no capability of printing.
That's what I said Paul, time would have to be taken to line up on the registration marks. However, I suppose some would be easily confused.
This shouldnt be called print&cut as this has nithing to do with print and cut machines.
it is "contour cut" everyone relating to. Not sure how silver bullet foes it but cameo search for reg marks automaticly so no need for lining up.
Ok, I'm not going to argue over semantics. I'm sure most people interested in cutters already know what a Cameo can and cannot do, I was just trying to explain a specific point about cutting circles for badges, which obviously need to be printed before cutting.
Cool. Just correct terminology should be used as people could be very confused reading this post. But now is all strighten up.
Webtrekker, the Silver Bullet does seem to be a decent cutter but could I ask what you also use it for? The cost is of course too high to warrant cutting circles out.
Badgematic (Germany) produce precut paper for use in a laser printer. Bulk price is around 1p/label but you do not need to faff around with a cutter so worth the expense. Not all sizes are compatable with Blankbadge machines so check dimensions if you go down this route. Print quality is very good and repeatable once you have adjusted the page registration.
http://www.badgematic.de/en/button-b...-button-badges
@Paul - Yeah, no worries. You have a point.
@UK - It certainly is a versatile machine. My main use at the moment is contour-cutting printed magnetic party invitations, but I'm also getting into vinyl cutting, which is a doddle.
I'm retired now, but still self-employed, and it's more of a hobby, but it still fetches in a few bob. The machine paid for itself within 2 months of buying it, so it owes me nothing.
They've developed a camera for it now which can be very useful for lining up on reg marks, esp if you don't have much room to sit directly in front of the machine. I had nothing but trouble with the Cameo's supposed automatic optical alignment, but others say otherwise. I much prefer manual alignment using a red laser dot, it's deadly accurate and has never let me down.
Here are some badges I cut for my 2 granddaughters, along with some matching fridge magnets cut from printable 650gsm magnetic sheet ...
http://www.dyesubforum.co.uk/vbforum...tid=4562&stc=1
Also, I cut these sets for my young nephew. I also cut the mounting card on the cutter ...
http://www.dyesubforum.co.uk/vbforum...tid=4563&stc=1
http://www.dyesubforum.co.uk/vbforum...tid=4564&stc=1
All 45mm badges. Sorry for the poor photo quality.
What about purchasing precut sheets?
I know many of the button badge suppliers sell the sheets that you can print on to. Paper is more expensive, but surely cheaper than a cutter (in the short term at least :-))
Thank you socialgiraffe but wayupnorth beat you to that suggestion :-)
Only by a day LOL!!!!Quote:
Thank you socialgiraffe but wayupnorth beat you to that suggestion :-)
Pre-cut sheets are certainly a valid option. Being a bit of a tinkerer though, I like the way I can experiment with a cutter. Cutting foil or holographic inserts would be one example.
@webtrekker- those bronze age marvel badges and magnetics look fantastic. I can't believe you made them. What printer do you use for the magnetic sheets?
I just use my Canon Pixma ix6850 inkjet for printing magnetic sheet. The CIE inks I use are pretty resistant to UV fading, but I also sometimes overspray the magnets with a clear protective coat which enhances their looks and life.Quote:
Originally Posted by Coops
Ah I've got a bog standard inkjet printer. I just brought a cookie laser printer but don't think it would be suitable.
Does the spa at make them waterproof?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Coops
Bog standard inkjet is fine as long as it can handle thick paper, 300gsm or above as the magnetic sheets are quite heavy compared to normal paper or card. A top-feeding printer is also recommended.
The spray I use (from Crafters Companion) seals the edges of the printed layer and allows for wiping clean with a damp cloth. The spray also makes the colours more vivid, which I like.