There is no specific length of time a plotter blade lasts, but if you start experiencing issues cutting, you may need a replacement.
The consensus is that your blade should be good for 500 to 1000 miles of cut vinyl.
This estimate can account for years of cutting, provided you’re cutting thinner vinyl and no other materials. Thicker sheets of vinyl will dull your blades much faster.
Metallic materials and reflective surfaces can dull blades even more rapidly. The sharp edges will wear down because they constantly grind against glass and metal.
How Can You Tell You Need a Replacement?
One indication of a dulled plotter blade is if you’re having trouble weeding your vinyl.
Weeding vinyl is when you remove the extra material from what you’ve already cut into a design for use.
Another way you can tell your blade is dull is if your cuts are visibly rough and ragged-looking. Sometimes the rough edges are apparent at a glance. Other times you may have to do a closer inspection.
If you have another blade, try it to ensure that the issue is simply a dulled blade. Once the material cuts, you can move on to your vinyl working.
Ongoing problems, however, may signify something else is wrong. Another potential problem with your cutter could be that you’re experiencing knife offset.
Knife offset happens when the blade isn’t in the exact position it needs to be to make neat, precise cuts.
The most obvious sign you need a replacement is damage to the blade itself. Visible chips and nicks in the edge signify you need a new blade.