Cutting Corrugated Materials for Sign and Display Production: Equipment and Technique

Cutting Corrugated Materials for Sign and Display Production

Corrugated materials are widely used in retail displays, trade show graphics, and point-of-purchase signage. Cutting corrugated accurately and cleanly requires specific tool configurations and cutting parameters.

Corrugated Material Types

Single-face corrugated consists of a fluted medium bonded to a single flat liner. It is flexible and lightweight, used for packaging and simple displays.

Single-wall corrugated (the most common type) has fluted medium bonded between two flat liners. It provides rigidity suitable for display applications.

Double-wall and triple-wall corrugated provide greater rigidity for heavy-duty applications.

Cutting Considerations

Corrugated cutting direction matters. Cutting parallel to the flutes is easier than cutting perpendicular to them. Complex shapes that require cuts in multiple directions need a cutter that can handle varying resistance.

Oscillating blade tools are generally preferred for corrugated cutting because they reduce tearing and produce cleaner edges than drag knives. The CUTWORX USA Apex Series supports multiple tool configurations including oscillating blades for corrugated applications.

Production Tips

• Score fold lines before cutting to ensure clean, accurate folds
• Use a vacuum hold-down system to prevent corrugated from lifting during cutting
• Test cut parameters on scrap material before production runs

Sources: CUTWORX USA, Precision Board, B&C Graphics