---
type: faq
title: "What cutting tolerance should I expect for my printed order?"
description: "Printed sheets are stacked and guillotine-cut in batches, so a small amount of shift is normal across a run and no printer can promise identical cuts."
resource: https://www.4over4.com/faqs/cutting-shapes/what-cutting-tolerance-should-i-expect-for-my-printed-order
tags: ["Printing Terms Glossary", "faq"]
generated:
  by: "process:4over4-mapp-build"
  at: 2026-10-20T21:01:19.542Z
timestamp: 2026-10-20T21:01:19.542Z
sources:
  - resource: https://www.4over4.com/faqs/cutting-shapes/what-cutting-tolerance-should-i-expect-for-my-printed-order
    title: "What cutting tolerance should I expect for my printed order?"
status: stable
---

# What cutting tolerance should I expect for my printed order?

Printed sheets are stacked and guillotine-cut in batches, so a small amount of shift is normal across a run and no printer can promise identical cuts on every single piece. Expect cuts to vary by up to about 1/16 inch across a job. Perfectly identical trims on every piece cannot be guaranteed with batch cutting. Keep important text and logos away from the trim edge. If color needs to line up across sides, build safe margins into your file. Guideline Recommendation Cut tolerance Up to about 1/16 inch Safe margin Keep text and logos about 1/8 inch from the trim Thin borders Avoid thin symmetric borders, since any shift shows

| Guideline | Recommendation |
| --- | --- |
| Cut tolerance | Up to about 1/16 inch |
| Safe margin | Keep text and logos about 1/8 inch from the trim |
| Thin borders | Avoid thin symmetric borders, since any shift shows |

[Order Standard Business Cards](https://www.4over4.com/product/standard-business-cards)

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