Knife Cutting Tooling Reference & Material Guide 

Flat Stock Blades: These industry standard blades come in 0.63mm, 1.0mm & 1.5mm tang thicknesses. 

Round Stock Blades: These industry standard blades come in 6mm & 8mm diameters. (Currently not supported on CUTWORX USA platforms)

Knife Performance Tips for Digital Cutting

Cut Angle: Balancing Durability and Precision

Larger Cut Angles result in increased over-cut, particularly noticeable in thicker substrates.

Material Thickness Amplifies Over-Cut, requiring compensation in toolpath design or offset calibration

High-Angle Blades Offer Greater Durability, making them suitable for abrasive or high-volume applications, though at the expense of fine detail fidelity.

Knife Design: Blade Geometry and Application Fit

Thinner Blades Yield Higher Precision, ideal for intricate contours and lightweight materials—but are prone to flexing and fracture under load.

Rigid Single-Edge Blades are recommended for dense or fibrous substrates, offering enhanced stability and cut integrity.

Oscillating-Only Blade Designs: Some single-edge blades are engineered exclusively for reciprocating motion; using them in drag systems may compromise performance or cause tool failure.

Drag Knives: Speed-Optimized for Clean Cuts

High-Speed Operation is typical across most drag knife configurations, with minimal loss in edge quality.

Ideal for Vinyl, Thin Films, and Soft Substrates, where continuous motion and low resistance allow for rapid throughput.

Oscillating Knives: Controlled Motion for Tougher Materials

Optimal Feed Rates Range from .06m/s - .25m/s (140-600in/min), depending on material density, cut complexity and style of blade tip.

Reduce Plunge Speed and Lift Angles when navigating tight angles/curves or cutting rigid substrates to prevent blade deflection or premature wear.

Recommended for Foamboard, Corrugated Plastics, and Composites, where reciprocating action enhances penetration and edge clarity.

Standard Graphics Material Types

Recommended Tools

Kiss-Cut

Single Edge 

Double Edge 

Oscillating 

Rotary 

Creasing

Pressure Sensitive Vinyl Adhesive Media

Cast Film, Decal Vinyl, Diamond Grade, Foil, Label Stock, Mounting Adhesive, Reflective Film, Static Cling Film, 3M Vinyl

Tool Type

Kiss Cut

Single Edge Blade

Double Edge Blade

Blade Name

E1, E2

E16, E17, E26, E46

E13

XY Speeds m/s

0.3m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

XY Speeds in./min

709-1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

Detail Level / Lift Angle

High 15° / Low 60°

High 15° / Low 60°

High 15° / Low 60°

Paper Sheet Products

Card Stock, Chip Board, Folding Carton, Katz Board,TM Paper, Poster Paper, Solid Board

Tool Type

Single Edge Blade

Double Edge Blade

Oscillating Blades

Creasing

Blade Name

E16, E17, E26, E46

E13

E18L, E21, E26, 

Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, D18, D602

XY Speeds m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.08m/s - .5m/s

XY Speeds in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

188 - 1181in./min

Detail Level & Lift Angle

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

Soft Foamboards

Gilman Brothers, Ultraboard, Foamcore, RynoBoard, Infinity, Fome-cor, Insite, 

Tool Type

Single Edge Blade

Double Edge Blade

Oscillating Blades

Blade Name

E16, E17, E26, E46

E13

E18L, E21, E26, 

XY Speeds m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

XY Speeds in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

Detail Level & Lift Angle

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

Thin/Soft Plastics & Polymers

PETG, Coroplast, Rigid Vinyl, Styrene, Gasket, Rubber, Lexan, Laminate, Magnet, Neoprene, Imitation Leather, Polystyrene,  Polycarbonate, Polypropylene

Tool Type

Single Edge Blade

Double Edge Blade

Oscillating Blades

Blade Name

E16, E17, E26, E46

E13

E18L, E21, E26, 

XY Speeds m/s

0.6m/s - .08m/s

0.6m/s - .08m/s

0.6m/s - .08m/s

XY Speeds in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

Detail Level & Lift Angle

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

Flexible Media

Scrim Vinyl, Banner Vinyl, Mesh Banner, Blockout Vinyl, PVC Banner, Polypropylene Banner, Canvas Banner, Fabric Banner, Satin Banner, Polyester Banner, Tyvek®, PET Film, Backlit Film, Frontlit Vinyl, Perforated Window Vinyl, Adhesive Vinyl, Magnetic Vinyl

Tool Type

Kiss Cut

Single Edge Blade

Double Edge Blade

Oscillating Blades

Blade Name

E1, E2

E16, E17, E26, E46

E13

E18L, E21, E26, 

XY Speeds m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

XY Speeds in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

Detail Level & Lift Angle

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

Corrugated and Packaging Substrates

POP/POS Display and Packaging Materials

Recommended Tools

Single Edge 

Double Edge 

Oscillating 

Creasing

V-Cut

Honeycomb Boards

ReBoard, Xanita, Falcon Board, X-Board, EagleCell

Tool Type

Single Edge Blade

Oscillating Blades

V-Cut

Blade Name

E16, E17, E26, E46

E18L, E21, E26, 

E73, E74

XY Speeds m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

XY Speeds in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

Detail Level & Lift Angle

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

Corrugated 

Corrugated Paperboard, Converd, Dispa, 

Tool Type

Single Edge Blade

Double Edge Blade

Oscillating Blades

Creasing

V-Cut

Blade Name

E16, E17, E26, E46

E13

E18L, E21, E26, 

Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, D18, D602

E73, E74

XY Speeds m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

XY Speeds in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

Detail Level & Lift Angle

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

Paper Sheet Products

Card Stock, Chip Board, Folding Carton, Katz Board, Paper, Poster Paper, Solid Board, Craft

Tool Type

Single Edge Blade

Double Edge Blade

Oscillating Blades

Creasing

V-Cut

Blade Name

E16, E17, E26, E46

E13

E18L, E21, E26, 

Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, D18, D602

E73, E74

XY Speeds m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

XY Speeds in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

Detail Level & Lift Angle

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

Textiles and Fabric Processing

Textiles and Apparel Materials

Recommended Tools

Rotary 

Single Edge 

Double Edge 

Oscillating 

Knit Fabrics

Jersey Knit, Interlock Knit, Rib Knit, ITY Knit, Double Knit, Scuba Knit, Ponte Knit, Liverpool Knit, Mesh Knit, Athletic Knit, Bamboo Knit, Cotton Spandex Knit, Modal Knit, Rayon Knit, Clover Knits

Tool Type

Rotary

Single Edge Blade

Oscillating Blades

Blade Name

E1, E2

E16, E17, E26, E46

E18L, E21, E26, 

XY Speeds m/s

1m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .08m/s

XY Speeds in./min

2300in.min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

Detail Level & Lift Angle

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

Woven Fabrics

Poplin, Muslin, Cambric, Twill, Denim, Chino, Gabardine, Satin, Charmeuse, Brocade, Damask, Voile, Lawn, Linen, Canvas, Silk Taffeta, Silk Dupioni, Liberty of London, Robert Kaufman, Telio, Seamwork

Tool Type

Rotary

Single Edge Blade

Oscillating Blades

Blade Name

E1, E2

E16, E17, E26, E46

E18L, E21, E26, 

XY Speeds m/s

1m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .08m/s

XY Speeds in./min

2300in.min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

Detail Level & Lift Angle

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

Technical Textiles

Dyneema®, Nomex®, Kevlar®, Gore-Tex®

Tool Type

Rotary

Single Edge Blade

Oscillating Blades

Blade Name

E1, E2

E16, E17, E26, E46

E18L, E21, E26, 

XY Speeds m/s

1m/s

0.6m/s - .8m/s

0.6m/s - .08m/s

XY Speeds in./min

2300in.min

1417 - 1889in./min

1417 - 1889in./min

Detail Level & Lift Angle

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°

High 15° / Low 45°