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May I think that you are here because you’re impressed by amazing papercutting arts and want to make them? You’re not alone!
I first knew this type of art when I was 12. At that time, papercutting was very popular in my country in forms of kirigami, pop-up cards and shadow boxes. I was amazed with the elegance of papercraft and learned to cut papers with a utility knife.
Till now, I’m not a pro paper artist like Pippa Dyrlaga or Silvina De Vita but I think I can give you some useful tips from my experience as an amateur.
10 Tips to Get Started with Papercutting
- Choose the right cardstock
- Choose an appropriate template
- Use sharp blades with pointed tip
- Use a self-healing mat
- Cut from inner to outward
- Move the knife toward you and turn paper to cut circle
- Pierce small details
- Use ruler to cut straight line
- Don’t need to stick with the template
- Don’t remove big parts until the end
1. Choose the right paper
When you're new to paper cutting, it's a good idea to experiment with different weights of paper to find your favorite. Copy paper around 80gsm is too thin and rips easily while thick paper above 200gsm can be challenging to cut.
High quality cardstocks in the range of 120 to 180gsm are good for most people. I usually use 180gsm cardstocks for shadow box and papercutting art.
2. Choose an appropriate template
When you have papers on your hand, it's time to draw or print a template to cut. Usually, template is printed in reverse, so you cut on the backside of the final artwork. It helps the front look cleaner at the end.
Start with simple designs first to get familiar with your knife. Avoid templates with many circles and tiny details. You can move on to them later when you have mastered the basics.
3. Use sharp blades with pointed tip
Even the cutting machine also needs a sharp blade to cut cardstocks cleanly. Art knife like X-acto, Olfa or utility knife with 30° blade is good for straight lines while a surgical handle with scalpel No.11 gives better control to curves and delicate details.
In addition, you should change the blade regularly when you feel it drag through the paper.
4. Use a self-healing mat
A self-healing cutting mat is a big must for papercutting. It not only protects your desk’s surface from damage but also helps prolong your blade’s sharpness. Moreover, the mat will heal and close up after every slice so you can always perform straight and precise cuts.
If you use a regular mat or nothing to cut on, the grooves will be formed after a cut and your blade may fall into it the next time, causing an inaccurate result.
5. Cut from inner to outward
When you have adequate tools, it’s time to cut the layers. Start from the center and go outwards. Always cut the smallest and hardest details first. That way if you make a mistake, you can start again and haven't wasted too much time to cut everything well and fail at the last minute.
If you cut the borderline first, which means large areas will be removed from the paper, your layer becomes a lot more delicate to be cut.
6. Move knife toward you and turn paper to cut circle
Imagine the direction before you cut. If you are cutting a line where one end is more solid than the other like a tree branch, always place the tip of your blade at the firm end and cut towards the thinner one.
When cutting curves or circles, it’ll be easier to use your spare hand to turn the paper around rather than the knife. Rotate it regularly to ensure you are cutting comfortably.
In addition, build the habit of always moving the blade towards yourself with a light and even pressure. Lift the blade from the paper each time you stop to change angles as well.
7. Pierce small details
Cut small parts slowly and carefully.
If you have very small details like stars or snow beads, you can use the pointed tip of your blade and pierce it bit by bit instead of cutting. There is no perfect circle in nature, so you don’t need to cut a perfect circle.
8. Use ruler to cut straight lines
A metal ruler can help you cut straight lines easier. Use it to cover the part that you will keep and put your knife on the part that you will remove. That way if your blade is off the ruler by accident, it won’t damage your artwork.
9. Be free from the template
You don’t need to follow the template exactly. Nobody else knows what was initially on the template, so if anything is too challenging for you right now, skip it or change it! It actually doesn't matter as long as it doesn't disrupt the overall design.
10. Don't remove the big parts until the end
Resist the urge to remove the cut out parts while you’re cutting. Leaving them on the layer may add extra stability to the paper for you to cut. Only remove big bits and edging when you’ve done with all the details.
Final words
You will need time to practice and attention to cut intricate designs. So, ensure you take regular cutting breaks to avoid straining your neck and to give your hand a rest. Finally, enjoy yourself and make sure you don’t bleed too much on the paper!