What medium should I use to make an initial design on paper for paper cutting?

Question

I suppose first I will have to draw that design on paper then I will cut it. If I draw with a pencil, I guess pencil marks may show through the cuts.

After all I have to cut by holding the blade in my hand, I cannot expect machine level perfection soon.

What medium should I use to make an initial design on paper for paper cutting such that no marks are shown after I am done?

Shall I assume the scope of this is you are going to cut it by hand as supposed to using an appliance? — Matt, Apr 27 '16 at 15:44
Oh sorry, there is a communication gap. By hand, I meant that I will hold blade in my hand and then cut.@matt — Aquarius_Girl, Apr 27 '16 at 15:46
@CreationEdge sorry, I didn't get it. What template? What do you mean? — Aquarius_Girl, Apr 27 '16 at 15:49
A template is a base design, often reusable, that lets you make things without marks. Like a stencil works. — user24, Apr 27 '16 at 15:54

user24user24 · Accepted Answer · 2016-04-27 16:03:04Z

A use two different methods to accomplish this:

I will create a template piece out of a stiff piece of paper. This paper has my design drawn on it with pencil or whatever.
- Then I cut out the design on that paper.
- Once done, you lay the template over your final paper, and secure it with some type of clips. You want to make sure the template doesn't slip around.
- Then, you cut out the design just as you would use a pencil with a stencil.
- There's no need to create the entire design in your template piece. You can create small pieces, just as you would use a French curve, eraser shield, or stencil.
I simply draw the design in reverse on the back of the paper you're using, if it's meant to be viewed only from one side. Use a light pencil and make your cuts. The final product will not have the lines visible, as they're on the back.

Erasing marks afterwards has not been successful for me. It often leads to tearing of the paper, without erasing much.

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