Whether it’s your very first pack of card stock or your 100th pack, I’m certain you want to reduce waste by cutting your card stock pack the right way. And if you are anything like me, you want to have your cardstock ready to go when you start creating.
Have you ever experienced that sinking feeling when you realise you’ve cut wrong and you’ve wasted a large part of the sheet? Yes. Me too. As a paper crafting coach and avid cardmaker, I have cut literally thousands of sheets of card stock and made more than my fair share of cutting mistakes and wasted more card stock than I’d like.
Has anyone ever taught you how to cut your a4 pack?
When I look back on my card-making career, I realised no one has ever taught me how to cut a4 sheets right to get the most bang for my buck! I worked it out for myself.
Now that I’ve done the hard work and worked it out, I’m sharing my video on how to cut your a4 card stock into card bases and the most commonly used layer size. There are other layer/mat sizes and I’ll share how to cut those in the most optimal way to use in different videoes in future. Today is all about the card bases and the first layer.
So do you cut A4 right?
Fingers crossed this video was helpful. To help you a little more, I’ve put together this easy reference table below and at the end of the post included a supply list with what I showed in the video plus black and the other currently available assorted packs..
| SIZES AFTER CUTTING | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length / height | width | Score at | Final fold card dimensions | |
| Long (Hamburger) Card | 29.8cm | 10.5cm | 14.9cm | 10.5cm x 14.9cm |
| “Hot Dog” card | 21cm | 14.9cm | 10.5cm | 10.5cm x 14.9cm |
| First mat or layer | 5½” | 3¾” | Not applicable | 5½” x 3¾” |
Now you may have noticed that in many of my videos and pdfs that I use slightly different measurements to the video. Generally, I cut to the closest ¼” or ¹/8″. This is my personal choice and NOT standard sizes (close but exactly). I do this because I like ALL my layers to have a precise ¼” or ½” difference in size.
Why not cut every sheet?
I recommend that you don’t cut every single sheet of A4 card stock to card size for a number of reasons. Keep a few aside for making boxes, fancy folds or slimline cards. I’ve even been known to create giant flower petals from a sheet of A4 paper. If you are making scrapbooks, shadow boxes or MDF books using full A4 sheets can make your life easier. It’s good to have a full A4 sheet or two on hand just in case.
Now you’ve got the “cut a4 right” knowledge and the card-making essentials, it’s time for you to get creating. Have fun and reach out to me if you have any questions.
Until next time… Happy creating!
Chrissy x
Card stock and cutting basic supplies.
