Question for those that make custom cuts

[alifaxwa2]

I have made a dozen or so of my own and while they have a hand made look to them that I can tolerate, the thing I struggle most with keeping both sides of the cut centered. I do my cutting by hand with an exacto knife, though I have a mat cutter I could use.
Can someone here or by PM, give me some advice on how they put the fronts and backs together to ensure centering? Should I be cutting the front and back separetly to card size, then connecting or should I cut to say 1/4 bigger, combine then trim to size? Both these methods haven't been working consistently well for me.

Also, I currently use a pH neutral spray glue, but it doesn't allow for readjustments if I am off the mark on the centering initially. Can someone share a good glue that will allow me to peel apart the front/back if I its poorly aligned initially?

Any other advice would be appreciated.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

I always build the cards with a 1/4" bleed and then trim to size.

The build steps from my Hank Aaron sweet spot custom

As far as lining them up correctly, it's tough to make it exact, so the key is to make it as close as possible. Are you using any cropmarks whatsoever? If so, simply draw them down the outside edge (see the lower left corner of the extra card piece in photo step #5). If you aren't using cropmarks...start using them.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

And you don't want a glue that can be repositioned at all, or the structure of the entire card will be poor.

 

[alifaxwa2]

I always build the cards with a 1/4" bleed and then trim to size.

The build steps from my Hank Aaron sweet spot custom

As far as lining them up correctly, it's tough to make it exact, so the key is to make it as close as possible. Are you using any cropmarks whatsoever? If so, simply draw them down the outside edge (see the lower left corner of the extra card piece in photo step #5). If you aren't using cropmarks...start using them.

I have been using them for the final cut, but not actually combining the two layers. I will have to give that a try.

Post Thanked.