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Use removable tape to assist in holding the template firmly in place.
Cut along ALL edges around the letters using a #16 blade in your craft knife.
(CAUTION: AVOID CUTTING TOWARDS YOUR FINGERS).
Always cut from the corners, in both directions.
This will assure that you get the corner completely cut. Start at one corner and cut about halfway to the opposite corner.
Go to the opposite corner and cut until you reach the part that has already been cut.
You will be able to feel when the blade reaches a previously cut part.
It is important to hold your handle straight up and down when doing these cuts so they will meet.
If, after cutting a section, you cannot stab the waste area with your blade and lift it out,
you need to check your cutting. (Do not tear out waste area.
You want cleanly cut corners and edges).
You may want to practice cutting on some scrap paper, without the template until you get the feel for the cutting,
then switch to your real paper or card stock.
65# card stock works well. After making a few cuts,
check the back of the card stock to make sure you are cutting all the way through.
To speed up your cutting, cut all of your down cuts with the template in a given position.
Turn the template 90 degrees and cut all of your down cuts.
Turn again, 90 degrees and repeat. Turn a 4th time and repeat. You have now made all necessary cuts.
Each cut piece should easily come out.
The first time you cut, you will want to do the above steps with just one area
(such as the area between the H and the E of HELLO) to be sure that you are doing it correctly.
NOTE: The slits to the left of the leftmost letter, and to the right of the rightmost letter, need only be cut as a slit.
You do not need to remove any paper from this area. Simply make a cut starting at the top, about halfway.
Rotate 180 degrees and cut from the other end of the slit until you overlap with the previous cut.
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