How to Cut the Perfect Banner

When it comes to creating high-quality banners, the cutting process is just as important as the design. A clean, precise cut ensures the banner not only looks professional but also remains in top condition. Whether you're creating banners for exhibitions, celebrations, or moveable signage, choosing the right cutting tool is essential.

We asked our Keencut experts to share their recipe for the perfect banner.

1. Precision Alignment

Precision is key! Aligning your material quickly and accurately is crucial. Creating a perfectly straight edge on flexible, slippery fabric that easily shifts can be challenging. You need a clamping system that allows for small adjustments to position the material precisely. A clear straight edge for aligning the fabric is also essential. With the Keencut Evolution3, its Lift and Hover system, combined with a sightline strip, lets you position the fabric, make final adjustments, and then clamp firmly to an exact cutting line.

2. Clean Cutting

Banner fabric, often made of vinyl, polyester, or other flexible materials, can be tricky to cut without fraying or distorting. To achieve a smooth, accurate, and professional finish, you need a cutting system with the right blades. Whether you’re cutting a large roll of fabric or trimming edges, Keencut’s technology ensures straight, consistent cuts, reducing the risk of uneven edges or fabric distortion. With the Evolution3, you can use the Double Graphik blade head or the optional Fabric Cutting head for precise results. The Keencut Sabre also features a rotary cutting head that cold cuts textiles and delicate materials, making it ideal for trimming thin strips from banners where a knife blade might be too aggressive.

3. Safety Features

Cutting by hand with a ruler and knife is still common, but it’s unsafe and less accurate. In a fast-paced environment, the risk of accidents is higher, which is why safety is a top priority. Keencut cutting machines are designed to maximise operator safety, with controlled blade retraction, no exposed blades, and a stable cutting platform.

4. Speed

Maintaining a steady workflow without sacrificing quality is essential. You want your first banner to be as good as your hundredth. Cutting banners by hand with a knife and ruler is slow, whereas time trials show that the Evolution3 is significantly quicker, helping you stay productive while maintaining quality and safety.

5. No Waste

Perfect, accurate cutting prevents mistakes, which in turn reduces the expense of wasted material. Slow, inaccurate cutting leads to costly errors.

6. Cost-Effective Solution

While the initial investment in a Keencut cutter might be higher than manual tools, the long-term savings are undeniable. The cutter’s durability and precision minimise the likelihood of errors, such as wasted material or the need for re-cuts. Safety is assured stopping the risk and possible costs of injury from an exposed knife blade. Additionally, the versatility of the cutter means you won’t need multiple tools for different materials, making it a cost-effective solution for your business.

Conclusion

When working with banner fabric, presentation is everything. A banner with uneven or jagged cuts can detract from the overall appearance and professionalism of your project. Choosing the right cutting method is essential to the creation of the perfect banner!

Framing Focus

In this latest episode of our Keencut Picture Framing Masterclass, David Wilkie demonstrates how to create an open v-groove on a picture mount. This technique exposes the undermount, adding a unique depth to the framing. David walks you through each step—from calculating dimensions to setting machine stops and cutting with precision. With over 30 years of professional framing experience, David shares expert tips and tricks to help you master the craft. This video is part of our comprehensive Masterclass series, designed for both beginners and experienced framers. Watch the full series HERE and elevate your framing skills.

What's on 2025!

We have so many great events coming up. Come along and try a Keencut cutting machine to see what a difference it can make to your business:

January 28-31 Rema Days Warsaw, Poland with Integart ?www.remadays.com

February 2-4? Imaging USA Dallas, TX with Dorado Graphix ?https://imagingusa.com/

February 4-6 C-Print Lyon 4-6 February with KALA www.salon-cprint.com

February 3-6 International FASTSIGNS??Convention 2025 in Las Vegas? with LEXJET Home - 2025 FASTSIGNS International Convention

February 6-8 Expo Impresión with Celupal? at the World Trade Center Mexico City Expo Printing 2025

February 13-15 WETEC Fair in Stuttgart with Richter and Menzel, and AVD Deutschland Messe Stuttgart | Messe Stuttgart

February 23 -25 Sign & Digital UK Birmingham with Soyang Home - Sign & Digital UK

February 28 - March 2 EIPM Roadshow with Celupal in Merida - Yucatan https://www.publicidadmty.com.mx/index.php/

March 6 Glantz Louisville, KY Branch Open House Time TBD https://www.nglantz.com/s/content/events

April 23-25 ISA with Glantz? Home 2025 | ISA Sign Expo 2025

Need Assistance? The Keencut Team is Here to Help!

At Keencut, our team of experts is always ready to answer your questions and provide support. Whether you need product advice, technical guidance, or help finding the right spare part, we're just a message away.

Email us: [email protected] or Live Chat by visiting our website for instant assistance.

With offices in the UK, USA, and Australia, plus a global network of highly trained Keencut dealers, we're here to support you no matter where you are. Reach out today and let us help you get the most from your Keencut products!