3 Tips for Cutting Shapes From Industrial Cardboard
Cutting shapes from industrial cardboard requires a few considerations worth noting.
But first a quick word about cardboard👇🏾
When I say ‘industrial,’ I’m not talking about an empty Amazon box. Nor am I referencing a shoe box nor most any box you might readily have at home.
I’m talking about *THICK* cardboard; like really thick and so sturdy you can barely bend it.
I source most of my industrial cardboard from a recycling dumpster located just behind my art studio’s building. I’m sooo lucky that two very busy restaurants in the same plaza as my studio toss out piles of industrial-grade cardboard each and every week!
I hope you’re just as lucky but no matter where you obtain your industrial-grade cardboard, here are my three (3) quicks tips for carving out cardboard shapes 👇🏾
1) Keep your (sharp) cutting tools close
Be sure to have several scissors (large and small ones) and box cutters (with extra blades) on hand because you never know when during the cutting process you might need to switch from box cutter to Xacto knife or to scissors (or vice versa).
2) Twice or thrice
Because industrial cardboard is pretty thick (not to mention it’s not the smoothest material, especially if it’s corrugated or creased), your carved shape won’t always cleanly snap itself free from just one cutting pass. So be prepared to go over your shape’s outline several times, as needed.
In my own experience, there’s been times where I’ve had to go around my shape at least twice; and in smaller, more delicate areas I’ve even had to do a lighter, third pass as well.
3) Sand after cutting
With a sanding block (usually about the size of a dishwashing sponge), lightly sand the outer edges of your cardboard shape after cutting.
This is necessary because the cutting process does create some frayed areas that’ll need a gentle smoothing.
If at any point during the sanding process, a small part of the cardboard’s layers start to separate, simply use a strong adhesive to carefully adhere them back together.
Also, try angling your sanding block slightly, especially as you sand curved areas. This helps achieve the smoothest edges and cleanest finish.
Please share this post with anyone interested in extracting shapes from industrial-grade cardboard.
Yours in cardboard cutting adventures 🙏🏽
2025 🍾 let`s do this
new designs for 2025 💫👇🏾
exciting and fresh mixed media-inspired designs (with playing cards theme) will soon be available 🙏🏽 designs feature hand-stamped original illustrations and collaged elements.
check back soon 💎
#creatorpreneur #creativeentrepreneur #mixedmediart #mixedmediacollage #mixedmediaartwork #playingcards #playingcardsart #surfacedesign #downloadableart
new designs for 2025 💫👇🏾
exciting and fresh mixed media-inspired designs (with playing cards theme) will soon be available 🙏🏽 designs feature hand-stamped original illustrations and collaged elements.
check back soon 💎
#creatorpreneur #creativeentrepreneur #mixedmediart #mixedmediacollage #mixedmediaartwork #playingcards #playingcardsart #surfacedesign #downloadableart
each new year centers around pending change and new beginnings; so i`ve been thinking about how internal and external change(s) impact our sense of art and creativity (interests, styles, intentions & direction) 🤍 how about you? how is pending change or the dawn of a new year influencing your artistic ideas and creative experiences?
#artislife #artislifestyle #creativeminds2024 #changeisgood #changeiscoming #artjournal #artjournaling #creativejournaling #inspiration #journalinginspiration
each new year centers around pending change and new beginnings; so i`ve been thinking about how internal and external change(s) impact our sense of art and creativity (interests, styles, intentions & direction) 🤍 how about you? how is pending change or the dawn of a new year influencing your artistic ideas and creative experiences?
#artislife #artislifestyle #creativeminds2024 #changeisgood #changeiscoming #artjournal #artjournaling #creativejournaling #inspiration #journalinginspiration
imagination at work ✨
the ability to see a single object beyond what it actually is to what it potentially could be is a core teaching of my new visuality ethos 🙏🏽 this new year, practice expanding and nourishing your own visuality with me! deets after the holidays 💎
#mixedmediaartwork #mixedmediaartist #mixedmediajournal #mixedmediaonpapper #imaginationiseverything #artisticlifestyle #coachinglife #coachinginspiration
imagination at work ✨
the ability to see a single object beyond what it actually is to what it potentially could be is a core teaching of my new visuality ethos 🙏🏽 this new year, practice expanding and nourishing your own visuality with me! deets after the holidays 💎
#mixedmediaartwork #mixedmediaartist #mixedmediajournal #mixedmediaonpapper #imaginationiseverything #artisticlifestyle #coachinglife #coachinginspiration
#mixingthingsup a bit for 2025 💎🤍
#happyholidays #somethingnew #mixedmediaart #mixedmediaartist #mixedmediajournal #newyear2025
#mixingthingsup a bit for 2025 💎🤍
#happyholidays #somethingnew #mixedmediaart #mixedmediaartist #mixedmediajournal #newyear2025
5 creative space tips 💫👇🏾
The 5 tips (shared in my #igreel 🎥) work even if your #creativeworkspace isn’t related to art at all.
The ultimate goal is this👇🏾
💎 to design a creative space that reflects your:
📌 commitment and
📌 unrelenting passion (for your craft)
… while conveying a sense of
📌 sass,
📌 style,
and soul 🔥
… that motivates and inspires YOU to no friggin’ end 💎
Best of all, these tips help you fire 🔥up your whole flair *without* having to spend a single dime 🙏🏽
… because believe me: you’re already plenty rich 💡💰💡with ideas and imagination … you just have to cultivate your creative assets to yield max returns ✊🏾🙌🏽🙏🏽
LOVED this?
👉🏾 HIT ❤️ like
💫 FOLLOW @mayrayadirstudio for more
👀 SEE my Stories
💌 SIGN UP for email inspo (🔗 in bio)
🎁 SHARE w others
🗣️ DM or comment to continue the convo!
#creatorpreneur #creativeentrepreneur #creativespace #creativespaces #creativespacestudio #workingspace #tipsforsuccess #workspacedesign #workspaceinspo #artstudiolife #artstudiodesign #artstudiospace #artstudiodecor #artstudiopro
5 creative space tips 💫👇🏾
The 5 tips (shared in my #igreel 🎥) work even if your #creativeworkspace isn’t related to art at all.
The ultimate goal is this👇🏾
💎 to design a creative space that reflects your:
📌 commitment and
📌 unrelenting passion (for your craft)
… while conveying a sense of
📌 sass,
📌 style,
and soul 🔥
… that motivates and inspires YOU to no friggin’ end 💎
Best of all, these tips help you fire 🔥up your whole flair *without* having to spend a single dime 🙏🏽
… because believe me: you’re already plenty rich 💡💰💡with ideas and imagination … you just have to cultivate your creative assets to yield max returns ✊🏾🙌🏽🙏🏽
LOVED this?
👉🏾 HIT ❤️ like
💫 FOLLOW @mayrayadirstudio for more
👀 SEE my Stories
💌 SIGN UP for email inspo (🔗 in bio)
🎁 SHARE w others
🗣️ DM or comment to continue the convo!
#creatorpreneur #creativeentrepreneur #creativespace #creativespaces #creativespacestudio #workingspace #tipsforsuccess #workspacedesign #workspaceinspo #artstudiolife #artstudiodesign #artstudiospace #artstudiodecor #artstudiopro
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