Letting Printer Cut Canvas

[Mike Sellers]

On my HP Z3100 I let the printer cut the canvas a few times yesterday with good results. Is this a bad idea? Will this break the blade?
Mike

[Kanvas Keepsakes]

I let the printer print the dotted line for me and cut with a real sharp pair of scissors.  I save the blade for the photo paper.  I've heard that this dulls the blade.  Never heard of it breaking. 

[Ken Doo]

On my 9900, I just let the printer cut the canvas.  No problems and I haven't had to replace the blade yet, which is user replaceable.  I figure its there for a reason, so I'm gonna use it.   

[Geraldo Garcia]

On the Z3xxx printers the blade and the cutting system are not really designed to cut canvas. It will cut it, but it will really dull the blade way faster and one day it may fail to cut. That may damage the print carriage and cost you money and take time to repair. Not worthy, IMHO. Print the dotted line, cut with scissors. Easy, fast and inexpensive.

[langier]

The 7900, 9900 (and I think the 7880 and 9880) have a rotary cutter that will work with canvas. The older Epson printers use a blade that will dull quickly or break if used on canvas.

I've done hundreds of cuts of canvas on my 9900 during the past several years that I've been using my printer with no problems.

[fetish]

Been using this with my 11880 since forever. There's a nice channel at the bottom of the plate that this fits right into.

[Mike Sellers]

Thanks for the tips. Fetish-where did you get that nifty cutter?
Mike

[davidh202]

 new model...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OLFA-Knife-Carpet-and-Linoleum-Cutter-45-C-Model-1069991-MARU-CUTTER-/230729300296

[fetish]

 new model...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OLFA-Knife-Carpet-and-Linoleum-Cutter-45-C-Model-1069991-MARU-CUTTER-/230729300296

Ooooo nice find 

[Mark Lindquist]

There is a narrow metal slot running the length of the width of the printer on the outfeed surface of the front of the printer.  You can use a safety razor blade or a utility knife and trim the canvas manually by running the blade into the slot and using it as a guide.  Have been doing it for 10 years on both Z3100 and Z3200.  Works like a charm! 

Cutting canvas internally will eventually dull the blade and then you must replace the entire cutting assembly.  It also puts lint inside the printer....

Mark Lindquist

[uintaangler]

I have a new Epson 4900 and will soon be running my first roll of Canvas through it
Should I let the printer cut the canvas or find a way to do it myself?
Thanks

[Kanvas Keepsakes]

Let the printer feed extra canvas and print a dotted line where you're supposed to cut.  Use a very sharp pair of scissors to cut along the line.  Dont depend on the cutter to cut your print.  Close your left eye and cut along the line with your right eye open.  Focus on cutting straight.  I never cut my canvas using the built in cutter.  I let the printer print a line across the paper and cut with my scissors. 

[MrIconoclast]

My Z3200 did not like cutting canvas at all. It jammed.  I managed to free it, but I will never do that again.