Corner Rounding Tool for Rigid Materials: Discover Corner Rounder

A corner rounder is a tool used to finish graphic printing projects that, as its name suggests, allows you to make a curved cut or round the corners of a material.

It is common to see this type of finish on promotional materials such as posters, flyers, photos, and business cards, as well as on items like coasters, magnets, notebooks, and various plastic items.

Products with rounded corners are generally square or rectangular in shape, with corners that form 90° angles, which have been smoothed out for aesthetic reasons, safety reasons, or both. This type of geometric shape is defined as a superellipse or Lamé curve, and it is well established that in many cases, curved edges significantly improve the finish.

As an aside, many high-tech designs are based on these types of geometric shapes; for example, the design of Apple computers and phones incorporates these features, causing light to reflect aesthetically off the surface of the devices, creating a beautifying effect and enhancing the perception of beauty. In the graphic design industry, it is commonly used for customized products and to improve their durability and safety. Rounded corners reduce the risk of bent or torn edges, while in stiffer materials, they help prevent injuries from sharp edges.

Since this is a very common finish in graphic design—both online and offline—it is essential to have the right tool to create four symmetrical curves.

How does a corner rounder work?

The operation is very simple and easy to perform. Most rounding machines are manually operated using a lever, making a cut with a blade that creates the rounded shape. They are available as standalone units whose sole function is to perform this cut, but there are also hybrid models that allow a single machine to be transformed into a multi-tool.

For example, with a simple accessory, we can transform PLASTGrommet’s HPS025 manual corner rounder into a powerful tool for rounding the corners of materials of various thicknesses and hardnesses.<
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One factor that must always be taken into account is the cutting capacity of a corner rounder, which depends on the material being used. The quality of the cut—and, therefore, the finish—will depend primarily on this factor.

Features of the Corner Rounder

It is capable of making circular corner cuts with three different radii. Available radii: 6 mm, 10 mm, and 14 mm. It’s easy to use. With the HPS025 manual eyelet setter, you can use two types of tools: nozzles for setting eyelets or the CORNER ROUNDER kit for rounding corners. To change the radius of curvature, simply replace the blade in the kit.

Another feature that sets this machine apart is that the material to be cut can be adjusted for greater precision, ensuring that the finish on different parts maintains the same level of quality.

Materials Cut by the Corner Rounder

Polypropylene: This is a synthetic fiber widely used to make stationery items and reusable packaging. For example, rubber-bound folders with plastic flaps are made of polypropylene sheets. Corrugated polypropylene is a material widely used in digital printing.

Polycarbonate: Similar to polypropylene, it is a thermoplastic widely used because it is easy to work with and mold. Due to its versatility, it has various industrial applications, such as in mouse pads, folders, or even as architectural elements, serving as a good substitute for glass in many applications.

Polyethylene: A synthetic fiber considered to be the simplest polymer. It is used to manufacture packaging, coatings, and pipes.

Corrugated cardboard: Widely known, it is a material made from paper pulp, and its thickness depends on the structure and amount of material that has been compressed.

Paper or thin cardstock: Commonly used for business cards, for example. These cards can be made of regular cardstock or laminated cardstock. Business cards with rounded corners tend to hold their shape longer than those with sharp corners.

Dibond®: This is a composite panel with aluminum outer layers and a polyethylene (PE) core. It is rigid, durable, and an ideal substrate for digital printing. It is widely used in visual communication, signage, and wayfinding. It offers a high-quality finish and is used in both interior design and brand promotions.

Foamboard: It is a rigid, lightweight material that is easy to cut. It consists of a central layer of foam and two outer layers of paper. This, combined with its low cost, makes it a widely used material in decorative printing.

Check out the industrial machines we manufacture at PLASTGrommet and streamline the finishing department at your digital printing shop.

Are you interested in getting a corner rounder? Let’s talk.