How to Cut Cork Like a Professional

Cutting flexible cork sheets for your project can be quick and easy with the right tools and cork rolls and sheets are routinely shipped a bit oversized so that the user or installer can trim the piece to final fit. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Cork roll or cork sheet
  • Utility knife with a fresh blade
  • Measuring tools
  • Straightedge, pattern, or stencil

To prepare the cork for cutting:

Unpack the cork and lay it on a flat surface in the space where it will be installed. Allow the cork to acclimate for 24 hours or more before installation. If the material was supplied in a roll this acclimation period will also help some of the curve relax out of the material. Particularly curly pieces of cork can be pressed under a flat board or weight during this time to help them flatten out further before use or installation.

Plan your cut:

Measure everything more than once. Plan the line of your cut on the material and use gentle adhesive tape or a marker to indicate where to start and finish your cut. Prepare a pattern, straightedge, or stencil for yourself so that you have a guide for your knife.

In this image I have a piece of 1/4” thick natural cork that is about 23-1/2” x 19-1/8” to begin with. I’ll be cutting it down to 22” x 17” to fit what I’m doing. I’ve measured 17” out of the 19-1/8” width and I’ve placed some tape at the beginning and end of where I’ll be cutting to guide my straightedge.

Cut your cork:

Line your pattern or straightedge up with the cut you’ve plotted. I’m using a piece of 1/4” thick tempered hardboard because it has a nice smooth edge on it to guide the knife. Anything with a stiff, straight edge like a ruler or measuring stick will also work. Use weight, manual pressure, or some clamps to keep your pattern in place.

Measure one last time and make sure your knife has a sharp blade!

Use firm, even pressure to cut through the cork, following the straightedge or pattern with the knife. Thinner material like 1/4” or 1/8” thicknesses can usually be cut through with a single pass from the knife. Thicker or denser material, like colored cork or the 3/8” or 1/2” thick natural cork, may require a first pass to score the material and then a second pass to finish the cut.

When cutting natural cork it usually does not matter which side you’re cutting from. With the 1/4” thick colored Forbo Bulletin Board material you’ll usually want to make your cut starting on the burlap (on the back) of the material.

After making my first cut I still needed to trim the remaining 23-1/2” side down to 22”. This time I’m using a marker to indicate where I should cut (which I can get away with because the edges of this will not be exposed). If I were going to use this material without any frame or trim around it I’d probably stick to marking with tape or another removable indicator.

For best results: measure repeatedly throughout your process, use a really sharp blade, and take your time cutting through the material. If you have questions or need pointers please feel free to give us a call! We’re reachable by phone at 610-759-0320 every weekday and we would be happy to help and discuss cutting and installation methods.