I’ve had a passion for graphic design for as long as I can remember. If words and grammar are the foundations of it, then typography is the cornerstone. For the past few months I’ve wanted to do a series of projects based of punctuation. What better way to convey the power of words than a bookmark, and to serve as another (albeit belated in this instance) gift for my daughter’s 21st birthday.
This was my first (poor) attempt at foiling and my second (better, but not great) attempt at cutting cardstock. I’d originally cut the text using gloss vinyl, but I was disappointed in the lack of contrast against the matt black card. I may try this again soon with a super-shiny metallic chrome black vinyl instead, possibly layered to increase the depth.
And remember, dear reader, to peel the cutting mat from the cardstock, not the other way round, lest ye be cursed to dwell in the severely bent and torn cardstock graveyard!
Those characters can be as meaningful as semantic words. The ampersand is also an elegant groovy character, it is a dancing symbol.
I do like the look of that blue on black. It may not be that striking, but IMO subtlety is also a great value.
What kind of problem do you have cutting cardstock? We can help you with that if you share. It’s easier the more glued the cardstock is. A good grip on the mat and using slow speeds also help.
Thank you. The ampersand has always been my favourite; it’s such an elegant shape. I didn’t know of the relationship it had with dance, though it makes sense.
The first time I tried cardstock, I used my standard grip cutting mat but it was a nightmare to remove and ripped to shreds. For this project, I used the light grip mat and peeled the mat away this time, as I’d seen on YouTube. As I’d had such a problem before, I used too much pressure and 2 passes, but it cut too deep and damaged the cardstock edges and left a deep groove in the cutting mat. I think if I just reduce the pressure it will be perfect next time.
I was aiming for subtle, which is why I tried gloss black for the vinyl at first. However, the contrast was so poor that it was unreadable.
My daughter loves it, so it was a success anyway!
I always try to cut with one single pass. For a 300gr cardstock I use 60° blade, 8-8.5 force and 2-1 speed. For a 180gr cardstock 4.5 force and 2 speed is enough. But it also depends on the state of the blade.
I was using those parameters today on a 300gr cardstock and it needed 3 passes in one of the sides (the cutting was uneven in one direction). I was in a hurry and had to cut more, so I exchanged the blade for a new one that cut it all with the regular 8.5 F 2S perfectly again. I checked the old blade and it has almost given it all, I’ll still use it a bit though but not today.
I always use slow speed in intrincate or delicate cuts. Cardstock is delicate, I mean, if you want a clean cut without rough fiber edges. Its celulose is softer than photo paper…
And as it is a bit difficult, I never move the mat after cutting before checking it’s all well cut, in case I have to make another pass.
Another tip is that I rather scratch the mat than making a second pass when the cut is uneven, IMO, mats have that purpose
Thank you so much for the tips; it should save a lot of trial and error, and also reduce the amount of wasted cardstock. It’s relatively expensive stuff, so any saving is a bonus.
but not today.