What is the Difference between Paper Cutters and Paper Trimmers?

Paper cutters are devices used to cut large heaps of paper or thick materials with precision. The machine typically has a flat surface with a sharp cutting blade or edge. In order to use the product, the user has to place the paper on the flat surface, align the paper, and lower the blade to cut the paper. An advantage of paper cutters is that they can cut stacks of paper at one time.

Paper trimmers are tools used for cutting individual sheets of paper or thin materials. They usually have a circular rotary blade that moves along a guide. The rotary blade allows for smooth and accurate cutting without ripping up or crushing the paper. These devices are made for lighter cutting tasks that require high levels of precision and control.

While both paper cutters and trimmers cut and trim paper, they are designed for different types of tasks and volumes. Paper cutters are meant for heavy-duty cutting in professional settings, while paper trimmers are intended for cutting smaller quantities and lightweight materials in creative and hobbyist environments.

Paper cutters are used in the printing and publishing industry, businesses, and office settings to cut large stacks of paper to the desired size for books, to cut documents, and to cut brochures. Paper trimmers are used in schools and educational institutions to trim documents, flyers, presentations, and other paper-based materials.

Below we will compare the features of paper cutters and paper trimmers, including their blades, types, capacity, precision, applications, and safety attributes.

Paper Cutter Features

1. Mechanism

Paper cutters have a lever or blade mechanism that slices through paper. The cutting action requires bringing down a blade onto paper to make a neat cut.

2. Types

There are three types of paper cutters: manual, semi-automatic, and automatic paper cutters. Manual paper cutters require manual effort to operate the cutting mechanism. However, semi-automatic and automatic models have motorized or automated cutting mechanisms. These models are also known as electric paper cutters. Read more about manual, semi-automatic, and automatic paper cutters.

3. Capacity

Paper cutters are created to handle huge stacks or volumes of paper or materials at once. The products are suitable for heavy-duty cutting tasks in settings like print shops and offices.

4. Precision

Paper cutters produce precise and error-free cuts, particularly for large masses of materials. They usually come with measurement guides and rulers to maintain consistency.

5. Applications

Paper cutters are mostly utilized for tasks that call for cutting large amounts of paper, cardstock, photographs, laminated sheets, and other materials accurately and efficiently. These devices are used for commercial printing, bookbinding, packaging, and more. Paper cutters are suited for the printing and publishing industry, art and design industry, photography and framing industry, manufacturing and fabrication industry, and office settings.

6. Safety

Some paper cutters have safety features to avert accidental cuts. The safety features include safety guards, safety locks, mechanisms to secure the paper during cutting, infrared safety beams, and other safety enhancements.

Our Formax Cut-True 16M Manual Guillotine 18.7" Paper Cutter

Key Features:

• Maximum Cutting Width: 18.7”
• Maximum Paper Stack Height: 3.15”
• Length Behind Blade: 19.37”
• Length in Front of Blade: 8.25”
• Narrow Cut: 0.99”
• Table Size: 30.3” W x 31.5” D

Our Formax Cut-True 16M Manual Guillotine 18.7" Paper Cutter can cut paper up to 18.7” wide. It has a hardened-steel guillotine blade, and lever-activated blade arm that neatly cuts through stacks of paper up to 3.15” high. The guillotine paper cutter has a geared clamping system, which is a mechanism that securely holds the paper in place while it is being cut. To activate the clamping system, the user has to turn the spindle-guided back gauge crank. Rotating the crank adjusts the clamping pressure, engages the gears, and causes the clamping bar to move up or down.

The paper cutter has safety features such as front and rear transparent covers, a blade lock, external blade depth adjustment, easy blade change access from the front of the machine, and a wooden paper push for safe alignment. Also, the product uses a laser to project a visible LED laser cut line onto the paper. The laser is a reference point, and signifies where the cut will occur. As a result, the LED laser cut line achieves accurate and precise cuts.

Paper Trimmer Features

1. Mechanism

Paper trimmers use rotary blades or sliding blades that move along a guide to cut paper. The cutting process requires moving the blade across the paper to trim it.

2. Types

Trimmers come in various types, like rotary trimmers and sliding trimmers. Rotary trimmers have circular blades that roll along the paper. In contrast, sliding trimmers have blades that slide along a rail.

3. Capacity

Trimmers are created for cutting smaller quantities of paper. While some can trim larger sheets, they are used for moderate cutting projects.

4. Precision

Trimmers execute neat cuts, especially for materials that need to have clean and straight edges. These products are popular with artists, photographers, crafters, and hobbyists.

5. Applications

Trimmers are often used for cutting materials such as paper, cardstock, photographs, and other lightweight materials. They are utilized for crafting, photography, and projects that need precision. The devices are suited for educational institutions and schools, small-scale printing businesses, crafting and hobbyist communities, offices, and home users.

6. Safety

Trimmers have safety features including transparent cutting guides and protective covers that stop accidental contact with the cutting blade.

Our MBM Triumph 1158 Paper Trimmer

Key Features:

• Cutting Length: 22.5”
• Table Size: 14” W x 23.75” D
• Sheet Capacity: Up to 40 sheets

Our MBM Triumph 1158 Paper Trimmer has a cutting length of 22.5,” and a capacity of up to 40 sheets of paper. The trimmer has a clear Lexan safety guard, which is moveable and covers the blade in every position. The machine has a hand clamp that functions independently from the blade handle. There is also a lockable, adjustable front gauge that has a calibrated rotary knob that allows for precise positioning. In addition, the MBM Triumph 1158 Paper Trimmer has fold-away paper supports on the front gauge that facilitates accurate cutting of lightweight stock.

An advantage of this trimmer is that blade changing is simple since there is an aluminum blade mounting bracket with double pivot bearings for the blade axle. It also comes with non-skid feet that provide safety and lets users accurately make cuts without errors. Finally, the device has side guides that include measurements scaled in inches, which enables you to measure paper directly on its table.