Cutting Chipboard

From RISDpedia

What you will need:

1. Chipboard!

2. OLFA Mat Knife or Exacto Knife (its your preference, but I would recommend a mat knife for straight cuts and a Exacto for curved cuts since the Exactos blades are flimsy and more expensive.)

3. Metal straight edge (a ruler...perhaps?)

4. Self Healing Cutting Mat (RISD would love you and it helps your blades from chipping or becoming more dull!)

First assess your chipboard size. If it is one ply or below, you could probably get away with using scissors for a clean cut. Otherwise, start by laying your chipboard over an even surface on top of your cutting mat where it would be easy for you to move around and cut. Draw the perimeter of your object inside the cut of the chipboard, making sure to measure correctly staying within the edges of the chipboard sheet (remember you can only cut once!). Once your object is drawn, it is now time to cut! Think about the type of cut you need (do you need to score the chipboard for a bend? or cut all the way through...etc). For a straight cut, use a metal ruler as a guide for your hand to help from damaging your object or your self. When cutting a curved line, take your time and use your surgical instinct to get the cut right remembering always to cut away from yourself. Do not expect to cut through the chipboard on your first pass! Cut with moderate pressure multiple times, this ensures that you will get a cleaner edge, stay along your marked line, and not cut your self in the process. Repeat for each marked line, remembering to take your time (I cannot stress this enough!). If you managed to not get such a clean cut and don't want to cut it all over again, do not fret! Use a light grain sand paper to smooth out any imperfections.