How to cut placeholders perfectly: printing, crop marks and tools

Clean cuts make placeholders blend into a binder. Here’s a reliable process using our generator’s crop marks, a straightedge and a rotary trimmer.

Print settings that matter

Print at 100% scale on quality 160–220gsm paper. Disable any ‘fit to page’ options. Our PDF includes subtle crop marks and margins so you can align consistently.

Tools

• Rotary trimmer or sharp craft knife
• Metal ruler with non‑slip backing
• Self‑healing mat
• Good light so you can see marks clearly

Cut order

Score lightly along crop marks first to prevent tearing, then make firm passes. Cut in one axis across the whole sheet, rotate, and cut the other axis. Keep offcuts tidy to avoid mis‑cuts.

Consistency

Cut batches together to keep muscle memory and alignment consistent. Replace blades often — dull blades cause fuzzy edges.