Cutting vinyl records is a fun way to stay up to date with the music industry. You can do it either by going to a vinyl record store to get new records or by cutting your own labels at home.
Home recordcutting is a great way to get into vinylREC, which is the online marketplace for cutting vinyl. You can find several cutting services in one place, making it easy to find the specialized skills you need.
There are many ways to cut vinyl, so there is no “right” way to do it. It all depends on what kind of look you are looking for and what type of record you want cut.
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Buy vinyl record cutting software
Once you have the record playing, it is time to cut the vinyl! You can do either left or right handed cutting. Either way, you will need to buy a paperclip or other sharp object to hold the vinyl in place while you cut.
Left-handed cutting requires flipping the record over after it is cut. This is done by holding the paperclip with one end connected to the record and the other end connected to a corresponding slot on the cutting machine.
Right-handed cutting requires holding the vinyl with one hand and holdingthecuttingmachinewiththeotherhand.Thismustberesevured by lightly pressing againstthelefthandside ofthemachineandpullingwiththeright.
Load vinyl record cutting software
Once you have your record selected, you are then ready to go! Cuts vary based on what kind of record you are cutting, but in the end, it is all about the shape of the record.
Some records just do not fit in the die-cut or trimming system that vinyl records use. These can be very specific to a album, so having a cut for a specific album may not work.
Other times, the record may be misaligned or has some other problem cutting. If any of these situations are present, there may be more cuts needed to get a proper result!
Vinyl records have some unique cuts that require different tools and tools. Depending on where you are in your vinyl cutting process, this can make things either simple or complicated.
Choose image to cut
Before you can cut vinyl records at home, you must choose what image you want to use as a template for the vinyl record.
Vinyl records are typically made from vinyl. There are many different brands, and they all have different specifications for how wide the record is, if it is gold or colored, if it has graphics on it, etc.
Many people find that picking a boring record makes the process of cutting the vinyl easier. If you are looking for some music today, this might be a good way to go!
When cutting the vinyl, make sure to leave a little bit of material on both sides. This will ensure that when you seal the record in its case, it will last longer. Sealing the record will determine where the cut takes place and whether or not there is enough room to accommodate the length of music on it.
Set range of colors to cut
When cutting vinyl at home, there are two main areas to keep your eye out for color: vinyl matrix and vinyl.
Vinyl matrix can be defined as the flat surface on a record where the artwork is placed during manufacturing. Many times, these surfaces are decorated with glitter or printed designations like credits or sales information.
Vinyl can have either a black or colored vinyl. Depending on the color, they can be called dye vinyl, spray vinyl, laminate vinyl, or dip Vinyl. These materials vary in thickness and how easily they stick to other things.
Dip Vinyl is very thick and durable and can last for years without breaking down. Printable disks such as music CD cases are good examples of dip Vinyl that does not break down easily.
Crop image and adjust borders
If you are trying to cut a record that is too large or too small, there are several methods for coping.
The easiest way to try cutting on a new record is to adjust the border of the vinyl record. To do this, measure the length of the vinyl record and then cut along that length!
Some Record BentoCutters have built in borders, which is an added bonus!
Another way to try is to use an iron on transfer technology. This uses a special ink or powder that is stuck to the surface of the vinyl and is then transferred onto the paper or disk.
Choose blade type and position
When mowing vinyl at home, there are a couple things to consider when Choice blade type and position on the vinyl record.
Vinyl records can get very long at times! If you are struggling to cut the vinyl long enough, then you should opt for a short-width vinyl record. Short-width records can usually be hand picked off without difficulty, making this an option to have in case you run out of scissors or nail Clippers.
Second, when wanting to shift the record position. Heel vs. Ballendern vs. Bendsnipe vs. Slapdash vs. Varnish!
Heel vs. Ballendern vs. Bendsnipes: When playing with your kids? Then go with Heel! The children can land safely on the ground if they cut this snip!
Ballendern: This is the same as the end of a song ballad like Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, where there is a break in the track.
Cut the record using the blade
Alternatively, you can try using a mitre saw. Both of these tools can be found at most hardware stores.
Vinyl records can be very expensive to buy. If you are able to get the same vinyl record, but for less money than the one that costs $1 per record, then it is a savings!
If you are able to purchase two records that are exactly the same length and width, but one is a soft vinyl and the other one is a heavy vinyl, then you can cut them into half. You could even try doing this with a pair of sharp scissors!
Some experts warn that cutting vinyl records at home is not an efficient way to collect new music.
Clean the disc before cutting it
Before cutting a vinyl disc, clean the disc using a vinyl disc cleaner. Some discs can be damaged by waxed oraredges, which are easier to avoid if they are cleaned first.
Cutting a vinyl disc can be tricky if the disc is dirty or has hair or debris on it. If this is the case, remove some of the dirt with a knife before cutting.
Some cleaners contain alcohol, which may cause emolliance (tears) on the Vinyl material. This must be avoided when cleaning vinyl discs at home as it may result in a damaged disk.
Vinyls can get stuck in the cutter sometimes while cleaning, resulting in another lost disk.