Vinyl Cutters: How They Work And Why You Should Get One

 Vinyl cutters are one of the most commonly used tools in the home workshop. In fact, they’re so popular that they almost always come with a built-in cartridge cutter. What is a cartridge cutter and why are they so important? Cartridge cutters are small machines that use rotary discs to cut vinyl.

They’re especially useful for quickly cutting large pieces of vinyl, like car stickers or banners. If you’re ever considering getting a cartridge cutter, now is the time. This article will explain everything you need to know about Vinyl Cutter and how to get started using them.

What Are Vinyl Cutters and How Do They Work?

Vinyl cutters are used to create precise cuts in vinyl records. They typically have two blades that overlap each other to create the desired cut. Vinyl cutters can be manual or automatic, and come in a variety of sizes and types.

Manual vinyl cutters work by hand, and are generally smaller and lighter than automatic vinyl cutters. Manual vinyl cutters are often used for small cuts, while automatic vinyl cutters are more commonly used for large cuts.

Automatic vinyl cutters use a motor to do the cutting, and come in a variety of sizes and types. Automatic vinyl cutters are often larger and heavier than manual vinylcutters, but they also offer greater accuracy and precision.

Types of Vinyl Cutters

There are a few different types of vinyl cutters, with each suited for a specific task.

Rotary cutters are the most common type and are used for general cutting. They have a number of blades that rotate around a central hub, making it possible to make precise cuts.

Folders are also commonly used for vinyl cutting, and work in a similar way to rotary cutters. However, instead of having a single rotating blade, they have multiple angled blades that work together to create precise cuts.

Shear knives are designed specifically for vinyl cutting and use sharp blades that shear the vinyl. This causes it to break down into smaller pieces which makes it easier to remove without leaving any residue behind.

Finally, vacuum cleaners can be used to remove excess vinyl from rolls of fabric. Simply put the roll of fabric on the top of the vacuum cleaner and turn it on – the suction will pull the excess vinyl off the fabric quickly and easily.

Advantages of Vinyl Cutters

Vinyl cutters are a great way to easily create custom cuts on vinyl records and other plastic materials. They work by cutting through the plastic with a series of quick, evenly spaced cuts.

This results in clean, precise cuts that are easy to follow and can be repeated multiple times without ruining the material. Additionally, vinyl cutters are quiet when used and have minimal impact on the material they're cutting.

This makes them a great choice for smaller jobs or those who want to avoid damaging larger objects or surfaces.

Disadvantages of Vinyl Cutters

Vinyl cutting is a popular option for home workshop owners and do-it-yourselfers, as it is a quick and easy way to produce custom vinyl decals or trimming. However, there are some disadvantages to using a vinyl cutter that should be considered before making the purchase.

First and foremost, vinyl cutters are very loud machines. They can easily fill a small workshop or garage with sound, which can be disruptive when working on other tasks.

Additionally, they can also be quite fussy about the type of vinyl they will work with. This means that you'll need to have a good understanding of the different types of vinyl and how to properly prep it for cutting.

Finally, vinyl cutters can be expensive. Though they are more affordable than most other fabrication tools, they nonetheless represent a sizeable investment. If you plan to use your cutter regularly, it's worth considering getting one that has features that make your job easier (i.e. a feeder system for larger sheets of vinyl).

How to Choose a Good Vinyl Cutter

If you’re thinking about getting a vinyl cutter, there are a few things to consider. Here are three tips for choosing the right one for your needs.

1. Size and Capacity

The first thing to consider is the size of the cutter and its capacity. You’ll need enough room on your worktable to hold the vinyl and all of the equipment necessary to cut it, as well as enough space to store the finished products. Some vinyl cutters have multiple cutting heads, which can allow you to cut multiple pieces of vinyl at once.

2. Speed and Accuracy

Another important factor to consider is the speed and accuracy of the cutter. You don’t want to spend hours cutting out a single vinyl piece only to have it come out blurry or incorrect- especially if you’re using custom designs or templates! A high-speed cutter will be faster, but may not be as accurate; a slower cutter will be more accurate but may take longer to cut a single piece of vinyl. Consider what type of results you're looking for when making your purchase.

Conclusion

Vinyl cutters are an essential tool in any home studio. They allow you to quickly and easily make cuts on vinyl records, CD's, and other materials.

If you're considering purchasing a vinyl cutter, or if you already have one but want to learn more about how it works, this article is for you. 

We'll take a look at the different types of vinyl cutters available on the market today and explain why each one is suitable for specific purposes. Finally, we'll provide some tips on how to use a vinyl cutter safely and effectively so that your projects come out looking their best.