XD-500 Paper Cutter

January 30, 2008

I know that most high volume letterpress printers have Challenge Guillotine Paper Cutters but for those who letterpress as a hobby or have a small invitation business the XD 500 is a good cutter for the price.  You can find these cutters online and on ebay for about $140.  It has a 12 x 12 base and it capable of cutting 300 sheets of 20lb paper.  I find that it makes nice clean cuts on Crane’s Lettra paper.  It obviously does not compare to a cast iron Challenge or the like but if you have very little space or on a budget this cutter works well.  If I have to be really picky, some negatives are that 1; when you first go to use it be prepared to throw out your first couple of cuts since they load grease up on the blade and 2; since Lettra is so soft when you lock down the paper, the bar leaves a minor dent on the top (or bottom depending on how your looking at it) of the paper.  I am a perfectionist so I do notice it but it really is insignificant. Again, I find this only happens with soft cotton papers such as Lettra.