Blade and pressure

There are two kinds of blades that fit inside the blade holder:

Red and Blue

The 45-degree Red capped blade is suited for cutting thinner materials such as paper, all cardstock types, heat, transfer vinyl, and wall/auto/decal vinyl.

The 60-degree Blue capped blade is much longer and is well-suited for cutting thicker materials, such as gum paste, craft plastic, craft foam, and rhinestone template material.

The Blade Length (also called Blade Exposure) is how much blade is exposed at the bottom of the blade
holder. For optimal cutting, you want this length to match the thickness of the material or be just a tiny bit longer.

A good way to test your blade length is to fold a piece of the material onto itself and then cut a line into the material by hand. Press firmly but not too hard, as more force will not determine if the blade is set to the right length. If the blade cannot cut through the material, you will need to extend the blade. If the blade cuts through the material and cuts into the next layer, you need to retract the blade. If the blade cuts through the material but does not cut into the layer below, you have the perfect length.

After inserting your blade into the blade holder and adjusting the blade exposure, insert the blade holder in the cartridge. The majority of the cutters will allow you to adjust speed and force with arrows up and down. 

Regular sign vinyl pressure - 50-80g

HTV (heat transfer vinyl) - 80-100g

Glitter HTV - 120-150g