Trimming Self-Adhesives

What is the best way to trim the paper around a postally-used self-adhesive stamp?

I want to clip as closely as possible, obviously without damaging the die-cut "perforations."

Clipping with scissors rarely gives me a nice straight edge. I've tried a razor and a metal straight-edge ruler. The cuts are nice and clean, but it can be difficult get even margins.

Has anyone tried using a mount-cutter or guillotine device? Of course, cutting paper will dull any blade, so it might adversely affect the smooth clean edges on your next mount?

Thoughts?
KirkS

A pair of high-quality scissors is great help in this matter. I find that I can not only cut straight, but with care can cut right up to the edge of the stamp. Regular office scissors are less reliable. My favorite scissors for this purpose is a pair of scissors made for kitchen use. The handles are large enough for my hands and the blades have mini-serrations with make for a smooth, powerful cut.

Good post!
Never sorted out that one myself,
needs to be a guillotine I should think
to get the correct vert position,
a wonky cut square looks awful.

I disagree with your distance however
I think a 1cm border looks better

If you are going for a border of 1cm, then a guillotine is essential, I agree, though you bring up a good point, and one which I have often wondered about. What kind of borders, if any do people leave on their self-seal, on-paper stamps.

Ideally I would have a set of pinking shears containing the right cut for each die-cut perf design and perforation gauge. Then you might hardly tell it was still on paper when looking at it head on.

A veritable gold mine of revenue for a clever entrepreneur. You should start selling them; every collector would have to have a full set

$5 each X 30 sizes ... Oh boy!

Hi to all

As I posted elsewhere, you can remove self adhesives quite successfully with a hair dryer. Set it on low heat. and gently peel the edge, concentrate the heat and gently pull the stamp away from the paper. It will come off quite successfully. Some people then sprinkle the back with talcum powder to prevent the stamp re sticking. but I just leave them face down for a few hours and it seems to work for me, and they do not stick to the pages.
Regards,
Horamakhet

After I purchased a new mount cutter last year, I've had good success using my older guillotine-type mount cutter to do the trimming. In my opinion, this has resulted in some nice even cuts.
Lou

Understood.

We've also had several discussions about Bestine, Orange-Glo, and related topics. But all things considered, I think I'd just as soon trim them neatly and leave the paper on.

Either way, I'm always curious.

Thanks for the input everyone,
KirkS

Haven't tried it yet but I thought I saw somewhere that a good way to cut them is use one of those fancy paper shears. There are many different patterns. Usually find them in the scrapbooking section.

Yes I found that to Horamhet. They do get curly, but I flatten them between cardboard (image side) and plastic (glue side) and the result is hingeable.