Discovered your channel. We are in different mediums -- I create automotive reprints of original window stickers -- but do it all in-house and have been thinking about expanding my business to offer more products w/the use of a large format printer and printing on canvas -- what those products might be I dont know yet. Anyway been using platform cutters for years -- though on non-canvas prints. But Im pretty sure whats happening is when you cut the two portraits in two and it worked great, it was because there was roughly equal weight on both sides of the cutter. When the force of the blade was applied to the material, everything was in equal balance and the blade was "in harmony" and could not pull or tear unfavorably to either side. Once you tried "trimming the fat" with much smaller pieces by removing excess whitespace edging after separating the portraits, the amount of canvas pushed under the transparent guide was very little. So the cutter applied a greater amount of force (by percentage of material) to short side and that caused it to want to move/react/twist/be stupid more so than the other side on the cutter platform where most of the material was. Even though I generally only cut heavy stock, I can get this result as well if not careful. Though w/canvas you're likely to experience it far more because unlike card stock, you are cutting through more pliable/floppy fibers and each fiber is an opportunity to "get snagged" and just make the problem more likely. With paper, its paper all the way through and 100% consistent. Once you get the cut started it just goes through like a Ginsu. With canvas, its sort like millions of small cuts you're making and if the cut is not extremely pronounced the material will win. That's my experience. Id like to start printing large format on canvas too so if you find a good cutter let me know. Although w/recent upload it sounds like you are giving up canvas.
Same problem here. Don’t know if this will help you but here’s my solution: I place the canvas on top of a sacrificial sheet of cheep photo paper, photo paper is rarely rigid, it supports the canvas on the edge of the trimmer so that it won’t bend / flop which is why the rototrimmer wheel just rides beside the canvas and cut through. Sometimes if you place a board beside the cutting edge away from the wheel by a 1/4 inch that will work better too. Love you determination, it’s what it takes in the art world, wishing you all the best. 🤜🏻🤛🏿
The Rotatrim is a fantastic cutter I was shocked to see it didn’t cut your canvas. I have the bigger model as it is superb cuts through all my canvas and vinyl stickers several layers at a time. I noticed that you were moving the cutting head backwards and forwards but if you still have the small plate that enables one directional cutting still in place this would cause the problems that you are having. The Rotatrim will give you a much more professional finish to your prints as it will ensure they are perfectly square every time will no effort. The plate is located in the blade housing very easy to remove. Hope this helps you. Stay Safe Julie 🥰
Would you know if this could trim 1/16th of an inch of paper overlapping a canvas? Or is there a better tool to prevent cutting into the canvas side? TY!
I use a Rotatrim as well. Try putting the paper or canvas against the edge at 0 inches instead of in the middle of the cutting board. The edge at 0 inches is a perfect 90 degrees (perpendicular) to the path of the blade and helps to keep the paper from sliding as you pull the cutter down the paper. I do keep my hand on the print as I cut for extra stablization to prevent the canvas or paper from being pushed around. I've cut some canvas with the Rotatrim but use it mostly for prints. I usually use a straight edge and very sharp razor blade on a self healing cutting mat to cut my canvas because it too wide for my Rotatrim. I have a Prograf 4100 (44") and my Rotatrim is only 42". The Rotatrim is amazing for cutting paper prints though.
Loved watching your video. You are a awesome artist. Practice, patience and persistence really does work. Never give up. You have a gift. Bless you Melissa.
Your doing it right. Another behind the scenes look at the up's and downs of the art industry. Really like your style. The issue of cutting your prints is truly a mystery. It may be down to a simple cheap utility knife and that metal knife guide. That way you can change out the blade after a few prints. Keep up the vlogs.
I lov your videos!!!!!! I watch then all the time!!! The cutters or blades that you are using is for different types of paper not really fabric material. In my opinion you should keep you larger cutter that you have it can come in handy with a another project!! I use those all the to cut my business cards. Its a lifesaver....Cant wait for next video!!!!
Well, I came here to view your thoughts on the roto cutter, but totally fell in love with your print of Michelle O. She is the most real and up front "first Lady" we've ever had in my lifetime and I am nearly 70. You are so freaking talented! Love your work!
I dont know if you found a solution to your problem yet. But canvas is a heavy fabric, when you cut the edge, you'll have to support the edge when you cut it, or it will flop under it self, like any other fabric. I just use a cutting mat with ruler and utility knife with a bunch of replacement blades from home depot. Its similar to working with leather.
I feel your frustration, but have you considered that per cut, you move the blade back to the start. I have seen a similar model at my work and at FedEx print and they both have a sign that says, "Please Move The Blade Back to The ORIGINAL Position BEFORE resuming cutting"... Maybe it will help you out.
Always contact the COMPANY that made the product because they've tried it all and can give the best suggestions. Of course the alternative is to get a good paper. There are papers specifically made for printing...not necessarily "printers" but for printing silk-screening or lithography, which will give you the quality I think you're looking for. Much luck! I was crying with you!
I've never cut canvas, but for heavy papers I use a metal straight edge and box cutter. Angle the blade down as close to the canvas as possible and drag through in a single motion. This prevents snagging and the canvas will make more contact with the blade.
I think max thickness M18 can cut is 3mm. your canvas paper might be thicker. You can check if that was the issue. You can try the xacto blade instead of the hand held rotary blade.
I’m learning so much from your journey and I want to thank you for uploading your trial and errors for our personal knowledge. I do have a quick question, (pretty sure you explained it in your previous videos) what is the best camera lens to capture a life like picture of your original canvas without any distortion? I was thinking a 50mm would be best.
Hi. Another good video. You could try adding something to the print to give it more body (temporarily), like taping the edge or attaching the print to stiffer paper. This would help prevent the buckling. It's the same idea as prepping flimsy or slippery paper to run thru a printer.
Thanks! I thought about that but I figured it would end up being a very time consuming process in practice, because I'd have to do that for every print.
Those machines are better for a larger pieces to cut. Basically bc the paper isn’t big enough to let gravity pull it down and for the blade to cut through. It’s just a physics thing basically. You would have to stretch and pull the end, in order for it to work (potentially). If that makes sense lol
Love your channel, I have just picked up a rotatrimmer myself, have you tried cutting it just one way? These models are not intended to cut both ways, just in one direction. You can find more information on there faq section.
False. The Professional series of Rotatrimmers have a plate which can be removed to enable two-way cutting. This is shown on the official Rotatrim RU-vid channel: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-n-MpiGjJdwU.html
Keep using the cutting mat and ruler...To cut I have successfully used an X-ACTO knife with a supply of blades. They will work and I have found a company in St. Louis that makes supersharp surgical blades that fit the X-ACTO handle and work great ...and last much longer. Message me if you want that info.!
You are amazing i love how much quality you put into details, the logo prints, the certificate, certainly shows how much you respect yourself and your clients. i would like to purchase your digital drawings in digital format so i can color them myself as a hobby. Would you consider doing that?
Yeah anything that's woven would def scare me that it would snag, as we are seeing here This is when a metal ruler A-clamped to a table on top of the canvas, and a utility knife would work best.
I'll cut to the chase. Earmark paying at least $1k for the better trimmers. A trick for the rotary trimmers is to put card stock or paper under the piece of canvas that you're cutting which keeps the canvas from just being limp under the cutting blade. Cutters = you get what you pay for much of the time and unfortunately, the better prosumer / small commercial cutters are between $1k and $6k. What you're looking for isn't sold in the typical store, it's like trying to buy a good strong / fast paper shredder - you have to pay at least $1k to get in the ballpark of decent quality. Keep up the good work. Cool watching you go through your growth period in your business.
I would suggest a razor blade form Home Depot bc it’s easier and cheaper and their more designed for sustainability and not for art. Plus their easier to sharpen bc their are more tools available for that @ hardware stores
It would be nice to see a before and after for M Obama. One when he was Michael and opposite when he changed to Michelle. His name is Michael Lavaughn Robinson if you need any old images to go by. He's probably the most famous transgender and an inspiration to many.
Normally when you use those cutters you align the paper to the top of the cutter, for stability and a guaranteed 90 degree angle. I’ve never seen anyone cut canvas with them. I have used an exacto knife and a ruler.
Whatever you do don't throw out the PAPER TRIMMER (Rotatrim), keep it. For the thicker materials and anything that you really need to be strong and last for a long time, you have to resort to INDUSTRIAL TOOLS. Forget that crap that you buy at the regular stores. Consider trimmers like these: www.eastmancuts.com/product-category/products/manual-cutting/rotary-shears/?somdn_stats_errors=Array&somdn_error_logs_export_errors=Array Keep Rock'n the channel! Your content is nice to follow - cool watching you grow.
The Rotatrim at work only goes one direction - it cuts from the ruler end - the opposite direction to the way you were cutting... try with thick paper to test
Another word of advise, turning the printer off and on will waste ink. Every time you turn it on it cycles your ink and some of it goes into your maintenance cartridge.
This is not how to do business anyways....printing small pictures or even big, on a prograf is not financially sane. Ur graphics are quality of 5 uear ild. No ned for inkjet at leadt not urs. Go to a print factory and order stock. Insane
I adore your videos -they are an inspiration to guide and assist in setting up a small art and printing enterprise (I know as you are my go too)- BUT videos are too LONG over explaining and we lose interest - Maybe for best results shorter video where you stop telling us and start showing us would be awesome.Thanks M
