Finishing decals - rotary/guillotine trimmers?

[lwsimon 1]

I'm looking to begin packaging some of my decals for sale at local convenience stores and a flea market --- what do you guys use to dress things up for a retail setting?

I once worked for a printers', and we had a nice Rotatrim rotary trimmer.  That would be ideal, I think, but they are very expensive - up to about a $1,000 for a 24" trimmer.  There are less expensive options, and I can pick up a Dahle 12" or 18" trimmer for under $100.

What do you guys use to square the edges of RTA decals, and what experiences have you had with various trimmer types?

[john! 1]

I've been cutting decals apart by hand for 4 years now. Honestly even $1,000 for a big 24" trimmer isn't expensive if your going to be using it alot.

Even with my hand it's not too far off since i been doing it so much, I'd like to get a trimmer but since getting my print/cut machine there isn't much more room where I'm at currently.

[Jay2703 704]

I bought a 16" x 20" guillotine cutter off of eBay. It was about $30. It works great for cutting apart decals and squaring off edges.

Jay

[jdxnc 0]

Staples has a few different guillotine cutters, I bought a 12" one and it has been well worth the cost, it is SO much faster than cutting by hand and you get perfect lines every time.

[MaderDesign 3]

I remember someone mentioning Harbor Freight having the cutters for cheap, check your local one.

[bamafan2277 50]

Yea I got one from Harbor Freight. I also bought some 6"x9" plastic bags with adhesive strip on the bottom to close them off ebay for like $10 for 500. You can print some hang tags for the top on cardstock with just about any printer and trim them too.

[lwsimon 1]

Harbor Freight is an excellent idea, at least for the time being.  Thanks all

[Dakotagrafx 7,297]

definitely love the rotary cutters!  This is my latest one I got for 200 shipped on ebay

[BlackMesa 0]

I have a 12"x12" from Harbor Freight.  It has done the job although it's a little small for some things.

[ms_sign 5]

I have been using one of these for years. I think I got it from Office Depot.

It is 24" wide and trims masked vinyl very well. Good blade life also.

http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_24-rotary-paper-trimmer.aspx

Have fun,

Jon

[BannerJohn 1,324]

I have a 12"x12" from Harbor Freight.  It has done the job although it's a little small for some things.

so did I. Then I got a much bigger one..ended up giving it away. It took up too much room,and I used it so little. Now anything the 12x12 won't handle, I use a 24" square and a nice sharp blade. I think I got the cutter at Harbor Freight on sale for under $20.

[#D-zine# 2]

I have 2 guillotine cutters.  One large and one small plastic one that is very light and cuts really well.  I use this one the most.  I picked the large one up from a school sale for a buck!  And the other I picked up at a garage sale for like 3 bucks. 

[hockeygirl 30]

Had been using an old guillotine (12x15) for years... but I have to say, my new rotary (12x12) is a lot nicer, I do a lot of smaller decals, easier to line up with the rotary. But lots of time, I still rely on my straight edge and exacto knife.

[Alien 11]

I have been using one of these for years. I think I got it from Office Depot.

It is 24" wide and trims masked vinyl very well. Good blade life also.

http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_24-rotary-paper-trimmer.aspx

Have fun,

Jon

I use a Fiskars rotary from Walmart like above only 17" like $30. The blade sharpener for the rotary blades are also a good investment. I have not bought a blade for it in 2 years.

[KEGRAFFIX 0]

I have been using one of these for years. I think I got it from Office Depot.

It is 24" wide and trims masked vinyl very well. Good blade life also.

http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_24-rotary-paper-trimmer.aspx

Have fun,

Jon

I use a Fiskars rotary from Walmart like above only 17" like $30. The blade sharpener for the rotary blades are also a good investment. I have not bought a blade for it in 2 years.

Same here, I just picked up 2- 24" Fiskars rotary cutters at walmart for $15 on clearance. They work great

[RHConcepts 16]

I was going to start a new post about the same thing till I seen this one. I think this post could use a update. I'm going to pick this one up tomorrow and see how good it is. I will post back on my new find. I would have never thought of harbor freight even though I go to the store all the time for tools. I hope they stock it.

How good are the ones off ebay? they look just like the harbor freight one.

Well I got it and I must say its very nice and the price is even better. Im so glad I found this post..