Page 221 - Klic-N-Kut User Manual
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10. Applications
10.01 Cardstock and Paper
Selecting Cardstock
White core cardstock does not yield the same cutting quality as solid color core cardstocks.
Some cardstock brands or types simply do not cut well. Use those for something else besides cutting
intricate shapes. Other cardstock, such as Bazzill Smoothies, Worldwin Cutmates, Colormates, and
Michael’s Recollections, cut beautifully.
If a textured cardstock cuts poorly, try flipping it over and placing the textured side face down. Remember to
mirror the shapes before cutting, as needed (e.g. text).
If your cardstock has been exposed to humidity, then dry the cardstock for about 15 – 30 minutes in an oven
that has been preheated to ~100 – 150 F, but then turned off before placing the cardstock inside.
With each brand of cardstock, record the settings that worked well so that next time, you’ll have a good
starting point for your test cut.
Settings
Remember to set your blade exposure to only cut through the material. For thin paper, just the tiniest tip of
the blade will be needed. For thicker cardstock, use a little more blade, but still not as much as you may
think. Revisit Section 2.01 for reminders on both the setting of the blade length and the blade height.
There are recommended forces shown in the Suggested Settings for Various Materials table near the end of
Chapter 2. Use these as guidelines for your test cuts and then adjust, as needed. Remember to record your
own successes!
A speed of 15 (10 on the original Zing) should work well for most cutting of paper and cardstock. However, it
is recommended that you slow the Cut Speed down if you feel the recommended setting is too fast.
For most paper and cardstock, use the red capped blade. For very thick or heavily textured cardstock, you
may wish to use the blue capped blade.
The cutting force will vary depending on the density of the paper or cardstock, any exposure to humidity,
dullness of the blade, and even the dye used to color the material! Two passes can often be needed with
some cardstock, regardless of the cutting force available.
Keep your cutting mat clean and sticky. Brayering cardstock to the mat will insure firm and even adhesion.
Brayering again after the cut can aid in weeding the waste from the cut shapes.
Troubleshooting
The following list presents the various causes of tearing:
Too much blade is exposed. If you see that the blade is cutting into your mat, shorten the blade
exposure. You should only be cutting through the material itself and then, maybe, grazing the adhesive
layer on the mat.
The blade is chipped. Try a different blade.
The paper is not adhered well to the mat. Make sure the mat is clean, sticky, and the paper is pressed
smoothly and evenly on the surface.
You may be using too much cutting force. Try reducing it and doing test cuts.
You may have too many nodes in the shape. Refer to Section 7.02
If the cardstock has been exposed to humidity, then the moisture in the material can make it difficult to
cut cleanly. Try drying the cardstock.
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