How much do you know about drag tool for cutting plotters?

2025.8.16

What is a drag knife and how does it work?

Unlike rotary cutting tools, a drag knife operates by sliding its blade across a flat surface or material. It’s commonly used for precise cuts on thin or flexible materials like vinyl, leather, fabric, and paper. On CNC machines, this blade is affixed to the tool holder and follows the programmed path along the work piece.

Advantages of using a drag knife to cut materials

One more advantage of employing a drag knife is its rapid cutting speed. The blade can make cuts at an extremely fast pace, enabling swift and efficient production operations. Moreover, drag knives create clean cuts with smooth edges. This reduces the necessity for post – processing and saves time throughout the production process.

Tips for cutting different materials with a drag knife

Cut vinyl with a drag knife

Vinyl is a widely utilized material for making signs, decals, and stickers. The drag knife stands out as an outstanding tool for cutting vinyl due to its ability to make precise and detailed cuts. To achieve optimal outcomes, you should set the blade depth according to the thickness of the vinyl and adjust the cutting speed in line with the material’s density. When dealing with thin vinyl, use a slower cutting speed, and for thicker vinyl, opt for a faster one. Additionally, it’s essential to ensure that the vinyl is securely fixed to the cutting mat to avoid any movement during the cutting operation.

Discover paper and board drag technology

Paper and cardboard—frequent choices in crafting and printing—can be accurately shaped into complex designs using a drag cutter. For optimal precision, adjust the blade’s angle based on material thickness: sharper angles suit delicate papers (e.g., tissue), whereas blunter tips work better for dense cardboard. Always pair with a supportive cutting mat to stabilize the blade during operation.

Use a drag knife to cut leather

Leather holds significant appeal within fashion design, where drag knives enable detailed embellishments on accessories like handbags, footwear, and belts. Optimal results require selecting a robust blade—adapting both cutting velocity and penetration depth to compensate for varying hide thickness. Crucially, uniform tension must be applied across the leather surface before securely fixing it to the cutting mat; this minimizes displacement risks during operation.

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