A paper trimmer is essentially a paper cutter that is used to cut a single sheet, or very few sheets, of paper.  The most common types of paper trimmers are guillotine paper trimmers and rotary paper trimmers.

Guillotine Trimmers
Guillotine paper trimmers are the most common type of paper trimmers.  They contain a large blade that can cut up to about ten sheets of paper.  Guillotine trimmers can also be used to cut cardboard, textiles, and other materials.  They are available in a variety of sizes to meet your cutting needs.  Guillotine trimmers generally have a guide, a ruler, and a grid pattern to help ensure that your cuts are straight.

Rotary Trimmers
Rotary paper trimmers use a round cutting blade, which slides along a rail.  Rotary trimmers are preferred by graphic designers and photographers because they provide a very clean, accurate cut.  Rotary trimmers work well for paper, photographs, and other materials.  The rotary trimmer blades are able to cut in either direction.  Electric rotary trimmers are also available.

Features to look for when choosing a paper trimmer:

• Maximum paper length accepted (cutting length
• Maximum paper thickness accepted (sheet capacity)

Paper cutters are used to cut either single sheets or stacks of paper.  There are several varieties available depending on your needs and the volume of paper that needs to be cut.  This page focuses on stack cutters.

Stack Cutters
Stack cutters are used to cut through large stacks of paper.  They are ideal for businesses, schools, and other organizations that must cut a lot of paper.  Stack paper cutters generally have a guide and a ruler to help you achieve the desired cut.  In addition, they have a clamp that holds the paper down to prevent movement and tearing.  Stack paper cutters come in manual, semi-automatic, and automatic models.  Manual versions are the least expensive and work well for smaller volumes of cutting.  Semi-automatic paper cutters automate some features such as the cutting mechanism, while others will still need to be done by hand.  Fully automatic paper cutters are completely automated and are ideal for large cutting jobs.  Some electric paper cutters are programmable and allow you to store commonly used settings.

Paper cutters/trimmers allow you to cut large stacks of paper (from 50 to 1000 sheets of 20# bond) with a variety of lengths and they allow you to meticulously trim a single sheet with accuracy and precision. Many options are available to you because paper cutters/trimmers can be either operated manually, electrically or hydraulically depending on your need and budget along with the different accompanying styles.  Here are a few examples of the types of paper cutters/trimmers.

The main types of paper cutters/trimmers are:

• Guillotine Paper Cutters - Used for precision cutting.  They contain a large blade that can cut up to about ten sheets of paper, cardboard and textiles.  Guillotine trimmers generally have a guide, a ruler, and a grid pattern to help ensure that your cuts are straight.      

• Rotary Paper Cutters - Designed for graphic artists and photographers due to the clean accurate cut.  Rotary paper trimmers use a round cutting blade, which slides along a rail that can cut in either direction.      

• Arm Cutters - Perfect for scrap booking, school, and office use. These cutters are the most common type pf cutter/trimmer and are designed for everyday use.  They generally have a ruler, a guide and a large bladed arm.

• Stack Cutters - Perfect for cutting through large stacks of paper.  They generally have a guide and a ruler to help you achieve the desired cut as well as a clamp to fix the paper in place to avoid tearing. 

Whichever choice you make it increase productivity in every way no matter where you are - office, home, school, or photo shop.