Silly starter questions...

[julia]

But... I have to ask. Those of you who print elements and such, how do you cut them out? Just with regular craft scissors?

And do you print on photo paper? Matte or glossy? Or doesn't it matter?

[Keely~B]

I like matte paper. I use scissors and/or an X-Acto knife. I like the Fiskars Soft Touch scissors, but any decent pair of smallish scissors is a really good investment.

[ColleenSwerb]

I use matte presentation paper, and scissors. I have 2 small exacto/kraft knives, but I don't like using them. I much prefer my scissors.

[MamaBee]

Same here... matte paper and scissors... I have a electronic cutter, but still prefer to cut by hand - I find it therapeutic.

[kristijoy]

I don't have a color printer at home. So for my hybrid projects I format several elements on a 4x6 'print' and send it to the photo printing place for 19 cents each. (Like you would print photos) Works great for a few things or Christmas gifts. I'm seriously considering buying a color printer when we move out into the country next year.

[Andrea Gourley]

I use scissors too.


..... and no questions are silly here everyone started somewhere

[adrianka]

Scissors and matte paper here as well.

[julifish]

I use glossy laser paper as a substitute to presentation paper - but don't go that route! Presentation is sooooo worth the cost. I use my little Cricut scissors or an exacto knife.

[NeverendingJen]

matte/presentation paper, scissors as well, though I do use my exacto at times.

[julia]

Thanks ladies, I really need to get on top of trying some hybrids! Esp if it's only really a pair of scissors holding me back

[JenTapler]

In regards to cutting - I think this is a matter of personal preference. Most people here have answered scissors, but I MUCH prefer cutting elements with my exacto / hobby knife. I have a really good pair of small scissors but I ONLY ever use it for large straight lines. Otherwise, I'm just no good with them. I'm much better with my blade. And you'll notice I cut out A LOT of stuff. The key is having a nice sharp blade on your knife and a good cutting mat under your paper. But if you're just starting, scissors are fine. If you find you like the look of elements hand-cut out and popped up on your projects though, you might decide to give a knife a try. I just find I have much more control and can get a much cleaner and even edge. But again, it's totally personal preference. In the stamping world, people cut out a lot of images and I've noticed you're either a blade or a scissor person, but there doesn't seem to be an overwhelming consensus towards one or the other.

[julia]

Jen, thanks for sharing your experience. I used to paper scrapbook and remember I tried a knife a couple of times that I borrowed from my friend. I didn't not like it, but didn't love it enough to ever go buy one. However, that being said, I never really had to cut out any kind of elements like hybrid projects would require. I'll definitely keep that in mind if I suddenly find myself exploring the hybrid world more thorougly. I definitely see how a good knife would get smoother lines towards a scissor.

[Heather Roselli]

I too prefer scissors - I have the cutter bee ones. I use an exacto knife for tiny internal areas though. I've been told that cutting on a glass surface with an exacto knife is better than using a rubber/plastic cutting mat, but I don't know if that is true or not. On boxes and such that have long straight lines - I just use my paper cutter! hehe

[ColleenSwerb]

The glass cutting surface is easier, but I personally don't like the way the paper edge folds up, instead of behind like it would on a self-healing mat. Definitely personal preference. I'm no good with my knife and have more control with scissors, so that's what I use.

[JenTapler]

Very interesting conversation. I seem to be in the minority for sure! I'm curious if this has to do with my profession as a Physical Therapist where I have extensive training in wound care which requires detailed scalpel work and debriding necrotic tissue for hours on end (but leaving the "good" tissue) - very intricate knife work for sure!). Maybe this has resulted in my preference for the blade and why I feel so much more control with the exacto knife than I do with scissors (I really do avoid my scissors at all costs!)??

[livelys]

I prefer to use a knife to cut most things, with scissors as my backup. I cut on a mat rather than glass too.

Generally I print on card & paper - usually on regular paper too, though I do like the matte presentation paper and am starting to favour it I guess.

You may want to consider a score board sometime too if you're planning to make gift bags etc, or even your own cards from scratch, as I really, really think it makes creasing/ folding 100% neater & simpler

[ColleenSwerb]

Jen, there is little doubt in my mind that that's the reason you're so comfortable with a kraft knife! LOL!

[littlekiwi]

Originally Posted by julia

Thanks ladies, I really need to get on top of trying some hybrids! Esp if it's only really a pair of scissors holding me back

glad to hear someone else wants to jump in to hybrid - I've only got a pair of scissors

[DeepGirl]

I use punches, but usually scissors as I don't have any cutting machine...

I should print on the matte photo paper, but I have lotsa glossy in stock, so I try to use it