Edging Tool for Cutting Vinyl

[AceSignsOnline]

Hi. I'm obviously new to this forum. Thanks for having me.

I'm looking for an efficient solution to cutting along the edges of our digital prints mounted on flat substrates. I tried using the search function for an answer, but I'm not sure I'm searching with the right keywords.

Anyway, an example of what I'm talking about: Say I have a 4'x8' vinyl print to apply to a 4'x8' substrate such as Alumalite, Scooterboard, etc. Obviously, because of peeling issues, I don't want the vinyl going all the way to the edges.

Is anyone aware of a tool that makes inset cuts like this? Preferably something that uses standard #11 blades? It sure would help save a lot of time.

I did manage to find a similar tool for cutting along windows, but I don't think that the guide is really going to facilitate my needs. Here it is anyway, in case it would help make sense of what I'm looking for: http://shop2012.yellotools.us/Cutting/Knife-Cutter-Scissors/YelloGuide::758.html Thanks in advance.

 

[ddubia]

I lay a straight edge along each side and eyeball cut about 1/8" all around. I've got a pretty good eye and they turn out very well. It also give the sign a more finished look as there's the "frame" all around it perimeter. This shouldn't be done with all signs/designs but for the majority of larger signs it serves well.

What I do to other signs is made the print just slightly larger than the substrate, think "bleed" if you will, and after the vinyl is applied I go around the edges with a sanding block and sand the overlap off the edge. This leaves a nice clean edge and avoids the "lifting" of the edges with handling.

 

[AceSignsOnline]

That's pretty much what I'm doing at this point - Eyeballing about an 1/8". It works for the time being, but being as how time is money, it would be nice to make the procedure a little more efficient.

Thanks for the response!

 

[phototec]

The cutting guide offered by Yellowtools looks like it is just a small round magnet attached to a flat metal guide, which holds onto the #11 blade with magnetic force.

Seams like you could make you own very easily, just purchase a small round magnet glue it to a metal guide, which you could make to fit you purpose, then use a 1-1/2" long piece of shrink tubing and heat shrink it onto the barrel of the x-acto handle, and you have the $32 cutting guide for $5 or less.