Strip Cut Shredders

Strip Cut Paper Shredder Range

If you’re in the market for a high security paper shredder, you’ve probably decided that a confetti cut shredder is the way to go. If you're not sure what kind of paper shredder you should buy, here are a few tips we've learned from 15+ years selling all manner of office supplies, including shredders.

Also known as a crosscut shredder, confetti shredder, confetti cut shredder, cross shredder, these devices are far superior to the original shredders that came onto the market a few years ago. Where older models simply cut paper into long, thin strips running the length of the document, crosscut shredders cut in two directions. First the paper is cut lengthwise, then the shredder cuts across these strips at regular intervals (this is where the name comes from). The higher the level of security required, the sorter the length of the cross cut.

The result is a pile of tiny pieces of paper. The largest pieces of shredded paper are typically around one-eighth inch by one and a half inches, and many higher security shredders cut much smaller than that. They really can look like a pile of confetti (which is where the name confetti cut shredder comes from). Why does this second, or ‘cross’ cut matter? It’s much harder to reassemble a document that’s been cut into a thousand little pieces than it is a document that’s cut into 50 strips. Let’s be real – if the secret services want your documents, they will get them; confetti cut shredder or not. But opportunist identity thieves, nosy neighbors and curious employees will not take the time and effort to put a confetti cut document back together. They'll move on to an easier target who doesn't have a confetti cut shredder!

Confetti Cut Shredder Buying Tips Here are a few things to think about when shopping for a confetti cut shredder:

1. How much do you need to shred? (How many sheets in a week and how many at a time?)

2. Consider the size of the catch bin. (Go as big as you can, as emptying shredders can become a chore!)

3. Do you need credit card shredding? (If you can, go for this option as chopping a card with scissors is no fun!)

4. Do you need CD\DVD shredding? (Many people don't but many shredders now have this capability.)

5. What is the warranty like? The warranty on the complete machine is often different to the blade warranty.