How to Cut Foam Poster Board
Cutting foam poster board accurately and safely is moderately easy using a utility knife. Foam poster board is used in many craft projects and can be implemented for anything from picture frame backing to gift cards. Follow a few simple directions to learn how to cut foam poster board.
Instructions
-
-
1
Place the foam poster board on a flat cutting surface. Make sure you have protected the surface you plan to cut on, because the blade of the utility knife may cut through the foam poster board and onto your cutting surface. Using a pencil and ruler, measure and mark the size of the foam poster board you need for your project. Depending on the size of your measurements, mark the foam poster board approximately every 3 inches. The marks will be your guide and will show you where to place your ruler when you begin cutting.
-
2
Place your ruler along the penciled marks you made on the foam poster board. Your ruler will guide you and help you make a straight cut. You will slide the ruler along the pencil marks until your cut is complete.
-
-
3
With the ruler firmly in place, make a gentle but firm cut through the top layer of the foam poster board. Remember to hold the utility knife perpendicular to the foam board. This will make an even cut. If you angle the utility knife, your cut will be angled, and this will affect the finished dimensions of the cut poster board.
-
4
Complete cutting through the top layer of the foam poster board, following the pencil marks. Place your ruler back on the original cutting line. Go over the original cut, making sure your utility knife cuts through the rest of the foam and the bottom layer of paper.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Look at the edge of the foam poster board. Note that the foam poster board is covered on each side with a layer of paper. You will see the foam core sandwiched between the paper. Cutting through the top layer of paper on the foam poster board is easier than trying to cut through the entire piece of poster board. There is less chance of ripping the bottom layer of paper if you cut one layer of paper at a time. Don't let your foam poster board hang off the edge of the cutting surface. This will prevent the poster board from sliding or ripping.
Utility knives have retractable blades. The blades are very sharp. Use caution, and cut your foam poster board slowly and firmly. X-acto knives can be used to cut foam poster board. They are extremely sharp and slightly harder to control.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit http://search.creativecommons.org/http://www.flickr.com/photos/eriwst/
