How to Choose the Right Vinyl Plotter Blade

Match plotter blade angle and compatibility to your cutter and material, then review blade depth, wear, and troubleshooting for cleaner cuts and easier weeding.

Choosing the correct plotter blade can improve cutting accuracy, make vinyl easier to weed and reduce unnecessary wear on your blade holder and cutting strip. Great Lakes Graphic Supply sells replacement blades for multiple vinyl plotter and cutter brands.

The best blade is not simply the sharpest blade or the blade with the steepest angle. The blade must match the material, cutter and blade holder being used.

Choosing the Correct Blade Angle

Plotter blades are commonly available in 30-degree, 45-degree and 60-degree configurations. These angle descriptions can vary between manufacturers, so always verify the blade part number and compatibility with your cutter.

30-Degree Blades

A 30-degree blade is generally used for thin films and delicate materials. It may be appropriate for window tint, masking film and other thin materials that do not require a deeply penetrating blade.

45-Degree Blades

A 45-degree blade is the most common general-purpose choice. It is normally used for standard adhesive sign vinyl, heat transfer vinyl and many everyday cutting applications.

60-Degree Blades

A 60-degree blade is generally used for thicker, denser or more difficult materials. Common applications may include reflective vinyl, flock heat transfer material, sandblast mask, thicker laminates and specialty films.

A 60-degree blade is not automatically better than a 45-degree blade. Using the wrong blade can produce poor corners, lifting, excessive drag or unnecessary wear.

Blade Compatibility

Blades and blade holders are not universally interchangeable. Cutter manufacturers may use different blade diameters, holder designs and tip configurations.

Great Lakes Graphic Supply carries replacement blades for multiple vinyl plotter and cutter brands, including blades for Graphtec, Roland, Mimaki, Summa, GCC, Vinyl Express, Ioline, Gerber and other cutting systems.

Have your cutter’s exact manufacturer and model number available when ordering. If possible, also identify the material you intend to cut. This helps us match the blade to the cutter, blade holder and application.

Set the Blade Depth Correctly

More exposed blade does not produce a better cut. Only enough of the blade tip should be exposed to cut through the vinyl face film without cutting deeply into the release liner.

Too much blade exposure can cause:

• Corners and small letters to lift
• Vinyl to snag or tear
• Poor cutting around curves
• Premature blade wear
• Damage to the cutting strip
• Excessive drag inside the blade holder

Set the physical blade depth first. Then use your cutter’s test-cut function and adjust the cutting force as needed.

Do Not Compensate for a Dull Blade with Excessive Force

Continually increasing the cutting force is not the proper solution for a worn or damaged blade. Excessive force can shorten the life of the blade holder and cutting strip while still producing poor results.

Common signs of a worn or damaged blade include:

• Incomplete or inconsistent cuts
• Corners lifting during weeding
• Small lettering that will not weed cleanly
• Ragged or distorted curves
• A sudden need for substantially more cutting force
• Different results across the same sheet or roll

Problems That Can Resemble a Dull Blade

The blade is not always the cause of a cutting problem. Before replacing it, inspect the blade holder for adhesive buildup or debris and make sure the blade rotates freely.

Also check for:

• A damaged or deeply grooved cutting strip
• Incorrect blade-offset settings
• A worn or damaged blade holder
• Too much blade exposure
• Incorrect cutting force or speed
• Poor tracking or pinch-roller pressure
• Material that is unusually thick, brittle or inconsistent

Replacement Plotter Blades

Great Lakes Graphic Supply stocks replacement plotter blades for multiple vinyl cutter brands. We can help identify the appropriate blade angle, diameter and holder compatibility for your equipment and material.

Available blades and quantities vary by cutter model. Call us with the following information:

• Cutter manufacturer
• Exact cutter model
• Material being cut
• Current blade or holder part number, if available
• Cutting problem you are experiencing

Great Lakes Graphic Supply is also an authorized Graphtec service center. We provide Graphtec equipment assistance, replacement parts and technical support for customers who need more than a blade replacement.

Call 1-800-477-6275 for help selecting the correct plotter blade.

Written by Fred DeLuca, Great Lakes Graphic Supply