Paper cutting tools and techniques.

 I have been cutting paper for the past few months, but when I started I neither had the tools nor had much info about what to use and how to cut. 

Now that I have been papercutting for the past some time, thought about sharing about the tools I use. I have self-learned paper cutting, these opinions are mine. The things that I listed here are what worked for me. But would definitely be eager to learn more tips and techniques for anyone who has any ideas to share.

Paper: So first is the paper. This is a personal choice, but some things you can consider while deciding on the paper. Thinner paper even though is easier to cut, is flimsy and delicate. The thicker paper is obviously sturdier and not as smooth to cut as thinner paper.

I tend to choose somewhere in between because I definitely want sturdier paper and though thin paper is easy to cut, since the blade slides easily, it is much easier to make mistakes if not careful.

Knife: You will need a cutting knife. Apart from the blade itself, you also would need to look at the grip of the handle of the knife. You need something that you can comfortably hold - some prefer cushion in the handle and some do not. I use the X-acto #11 knife for most of my cutting. Remember the blades do get a little blunt over time, so it's good to replace the blades after some time to get the smoother cut.

Mat: You will also need the self-healing mat on which you will place the paper to cut. This definitely makes cutting much easier and obviously do not destroy the surface you are cutting on.

Techniques: Always cut by sliding the knife towards you rather than away, meaning a downward stroke gives you better control on cutting and ends in smoother cuts rather than cutting upwards or away from you. Also, use a fingertip to hold down the design while cutting to avoid tearing the paper. 

Depending on the design, you can either cut the white space or on the lines you draw. To show what I mean, here are the videos for two ways of cutting the leaf.

Designs to cut: You can create your own or you can get templates online for cutting.  While creating designs pay attention to negative space and consider how each element will interact within the composition. Start with simple designs and progress to more complex designs as you gain confidence.

You definitely need patience as you work on this craft. But with practice and patience, you can unlock the full potential of this timeless craft. Hope this post helps you in taking that first step in gathering the things you need and starting this beautiful craft.