Illustration board question...

Biofungus · 04-27-2012, 06:33 PM

Here's the gist: I wanted to get some 15x20 illustration boards, some hot pressed, some cold, and have them cut down to 10x15 (ie cut in half). I had several plans/ideas for these. Thing is, I cannot cut for crap. Even a simple piece of card stock. I know I have nerve issues in my hands which could be the problem, or just bad support (ie my cutting surfaces). If you do a search you'll see over 27k references for "10x15 illustration board", but none actually selling any. I even contacted my local art shop to see if they sell 15x20 and if they could cut them if I required (and of course would pay for the service) and never received any reply.

So do any of you work on larger illustration boards and cut them down yourself, or have someone cut them down for you? If so, advice/details would be much appreciated.

Ace Corona · 04-27-2012, 08:25 PM

Why do you want them cut down to 10 x 15? That's the working area size of boards that are cut to 11 x 17 inches.

Bishop · 04-27-2012, 08:49 PM

Why not get the Strathmore Bristol 14x17 and draw out your 10x15 border?

Biofungus · 04-27-2012, 10:33 PM

This isn't for comic related work. I have plenty of pre-lined comic paper (and bristol). I need 10x15 illustration boards for other projects.

Scribbly · 04-28-2012, 04:35 AM

Crescent® No. 20 Hot Press Illustration Board - 15" x 20"
http://www.enasco.com/product/9707098
Metal ruler and cutter over a cutting board and cut it in 2 halves
of 15"X10" each.
Or, HAVING THE 15"X20" paper, pay some printer house near your home to do the job of cutting for you.

https://www.artistpapers.co.uk/Fine-...-for-Wet-Media

TimR · 04-29-2012, 07:42 PM

Maybe search for an art store (or craft/hobby) that has a heavy-duty paper cutter on hand. That they'll let you use of course. The big ones will cut illustration board no problem.

Or possibly printers as Scribbly says if retail stores are thin on the ground.

cheeseisgood1918 · 04-29-2012, 11:30 PM

Well, if you get the larger boards and you have an office supply store in the area, you could try them. I used to work at a Staples, and I believe cutting was one of the services the copy/print center offered (it wasn't my department so I can't say for sure). If memeory serves they don't charge more than a few cents a cut. You may want to call them first just to make sure.

Newt · 05-04-2012, 11:20 PM

A picture framer might also be willing to cut the boards for you; it shouldn't cost very much.

j giar · 05-09-2012, 02:09 PM

Mark, I cut all my own boards. Purely because I never know what size I'll work on next. And I like having the small odds and ends to either to quick small pieces on or have something to try colors out on as I work. The thing I've learned in cutting my own board is, it's not a race or it's not written anywhere that you have to cut through the board in one swipe. Take your time...or rather give yourself time to cut. A sharp blade will have you through the board in 3-4 passes. Also measure twice cut once. Always check for squareness....on more than one occasion I've found that the boards are out of whack even before I cut mine. Just double check your sizes.....or you could just say screw it and take it to have someone else cut it.....

Justice41 · 05-09-2012, 02:46 PM

I buy the larger boards at 30"x22" and cut down to whatever. I usually either plan my cuts in photoshop or I use bond paper to rule out the exact sizes i want but I will not cut unless I can get the maximum usage of the board. I even turn the small strips left over into sketch cards. I use an exacto knife and i do several cuts until I go all the way through the stack of boards. Yep stack em up,usually on the floor with some cardboard at the bottom and i cut them on the floor. This way I can push down on the metal ruler with more weight, sometimes I kneel on the ruler and the cuts come out clean. Just take the time to do the cuts instead of trying for one cut.
Oh and exacto knives blades can be sharpened even when it's broken. I use a metal file.

04-27-2012, 06:33 PM	#1
Biofungus Not for your amusement Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Nega-Earth Posts: 22,064	Illustration board question... Here's the gist: I wanted to get some 15x20 illustration boards, some hot pressed, some cold, and have them cut down to 10x15 (ie cut in half). I had several plans/ideas for these. Thing is, I cannot cut for crap. Even a simple piece of card stock. I know I have nerve issues in my hands which could be the problem, or just bad support (ie my cutting surfaces). If you do a search you'll see over 27k references for "10x15 illustration board", but none actually selling any. I even contacted my local art shop to see if they sell 15x20 and if they could cut them if I required (and of course would pay for the service) and never received any reply. So do any of you work on larger illustration boards and cut them down yourself, or have someone cut them down for you? If so, advice/details would be much appreciated.

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04-27-2012, 08:25 PM	#2
Ace Corona Microterran Liberator Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Norwalk, CA Posts: 124	Why do you want them cut down to 10 x 15? That's the working area size of boards that are cut to 11 x 17 inches.

04-27-2012, 08:49 PM	#3
Bishop Keeper of random thoughts Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: In your head. Posts: 4,191	Why not get the Strathmore Bristol 14x17 and draw out your 10x15 border?

04-27-2012, 10:33 PM	#4
Biofungus Not for your amusement Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Nega-Earth Posts: 22,064	This isn't for comic related work. I have plenty of pre-lined comic paper (and bristol). I need 10x15 illustration boards for other projects.

04-28-2012, 04:35 AM	#5
Scribbly Easy Reader Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Amerika Posts: 3,769	Crescent® No. 20 Hot Press Illustration Board - 15" x 20" http://www.enasco.com/product/9707098 Metal ruler and cutter over a cutting board and cut it in 2 halves of 15"X10" each. Or, HAVING THE 15"X20" paper, pay some printer house near your home to do the job of cutting for you. https://www.artistpapers.co.uk/Fine-...-for-Wet-Media

04-29-2012, 07:42 PM	#6
TimR Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 735	Maybe search for an art store (or craft/hobby) that has a heavy-duty paper cutter on hand. That they'll let you use of course. The big ones will cut illustration board no problem. Or possibly printers as Scribbly says if retail stores are thin on the ground.

04-29-2012, 11:30 PM	#7
cheeseisgood1918 cheeseisgood1981 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Up in ya Posts: 1,645	Well, if you get the larger boards and you have an office supply store in the area, you could try them. I used to work at a Staples, and I believe cutting was one of the services the copy/print center offered (it wasn't my department so I can't say for sure). If memeory serves they don't charge more than a few cents a cut. You may want to call them first just to make sure.

05-04-2012, 11:20 PM	#8
Newt Common cold fusion Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: On the mighty Cumberland Posts: 5,163	A picture framer might also be willing to cut the boards for you; it shouldn't cost very much.

05-09-2012, 02:09 PM	#9
j giar Has nothing to add. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 6,002	Mark, I cut all my own boards. Purely because I never know what size I'll work on next. And I like having the small odds and ends to either to quick small pieces on or have something to try colors out on as I work. The thing I've learned in cutting my own board is, it's not a race or it's not written anywhere that you have to cut through the board in one swipe. Take your time...or rather give yourself time to cut. A sharp blade will have you through the board in 3-4 passes. Also measure twice cut once. Always check for squareness....on more than one occasion I've found that the boards are out of whack even before I cut mine. Just double check your sizes.....or you could just say screw it and take it to have someone else cut it.....

05-09-2012, 02:46 PM	#10
Justice41 Piss Off Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 9,419	I buy the larger boards at 30"x22" and cut down to whatever. I usually either plan my cuts in photoshop or I use bond paper to rule out the exact sizes i want but I will not cut unless I can get the maximum usage of the board. I even turn the small strips left over into sketch cards. I use an exacto knife and i do several cuts until I go all the way through the stack of boards. Yep stack em up,usually on the floor with some cardboard at the bottom and i cut them on the floor. This way I can push down on the metal ruler with more weight, sometimes I kneel on the ruler and the cuts come out clean. Just take the time to do the cuts instead of trying for one cut. Oh and exacto knives blades can be sharpened even when it's broken. I use a metal file.