Automatic vs. Manual Guillotine Paper Cutters: Which One Is Right for You?

Paper cutters are essential tools that find their place in a classroom or an office. Having a paper cutter will really help you do this job quick and easy especially if you need to cut paper for art projects, flyers or presentations. With the myriad of options available, it can be difficult to choose the best paper cutter for you. Two common types of paper cutters are automatic and manual guillotine cutters. 

What Are Guillotine Paper Cutters? 

This is why guillotine paper cutters are such famous types of tools because they accurately cut paper. These have a thin blade, which is guided by a metal disc to ensure the cut goes straight and is clean. So, when you use a guillotine paper cutter, you can rest assured that your paper will have clean edges. They are available in a variety of sizes, although 12 to 18 inch-long cutters are most popular. They are pretty simple to work with but best of all, these things can shear batches of papers in one go, so you can save time. 

Types of Paper Cutters: Automatics and Manual 

Guillotine paper cutters generally come in two varieties: automatic and manual. They each have their own pros and cons. Automatic paper cutters really rock. They use electricity to move the cutting blade, so you don’t have to work hard. They're also capable of cutting through large serried ranks of paper with very little effort — so they're well-suited to use in busy scenarios where cutting a lot of paper quickly is required. On the other hand, manual paper cutters (like this one) are pushed down by hand, so you have to push down on the blade yourself. This makes them ideal for smaller cutting jobs, where you may need to cut fewer sheets at a time. 

The Good and Bad of Each Type 

Automatic paper cutters offer a multitude of benefits that make them incredibly convenient. This means they have great accuracy and can make minute cuts. That is useful if you want your document to appear tidy and well-organized. They also slice through thicker bundles of paper and are perfect for larger projects or an operation where you have significant materials to cut. On the downside, automatic paper cutters are quite pricey. And then they need to be maintained regularly to keep them functioning correctly, meaning you have to constantly check on them and care for them. 

Manual paper cutters, however, are typically far less expensive and require minimal maintenance. They are ideal for small cutting tasks, such as cutting a few sheets of paper for a project. However, as you must operate them by hand, they are mostly slower than automatic cutters. If you have a lot of paper to cut, it means it will take longer. Additionally, manual cutters are not the best for hardening heavy stacks of papers, so if you need to cut heavy materials, they may not be as favorable either. 

Looking for the Right Cutter for You 

Choosing a guillotine paper cutter should start with your plan for how frequently and what volume you expect to bring blades to paper. In case you have a lot of paper cutting requirements, an automatic paper cutter may be just the tool for the job. This will save you time and work for the long term. But if you do not have high cutting requirements, and you just occasionally cut the paper, then the manual cutter probably is the best option for you. You should also consider how much space you have to accommodate the cutter, as well as how much you are willing to spend on one.