What does cross cut mean in a shredder?

Q: Is cross cut shredding enough?

Dont manually rip or cut documents into pieces. Those are too easy for thieves to reassemble. Use a cross-cut shredder, not the type that cuts paper into long strips. A cross-cut creates smaller and more numerous the pieces, making reconstruction harder.

by | Updated September 20, 2022 | Paper Shredding | 3 min read

Table of Contents Show

Cross-Cut Shredding Defined
No Chance For Reassembly
Differences Between Cross-Cut and Strip-Cut Shredders
Comparing Cross-Cut Costs
Price Tag Comparison
Maximize Time-Efficiency
Need More Shredding Security?
Which is better cross cut or strip cut shredder?
What's the difference between a shredder and a cross
Is cross cut shredding enough?

What’s the difference between the two main document destruction processes? Cross-cut and strip-cut shredding are both secure methods. However, they each have their benefits and drawbacks.

Find out which type of shredding will best meet your needs by watching this video or reading the transcription below.

Video Transcription

Cross-Cut Shredding Defined

Cross-cut shredding is similar to traditional strip-cut shredding, but it cuts paper into much smaller pieces.

Cross-cutter serrated blades are placed in two sets facing opposite directions. When moving simultaneously, paper is cut into confetti-like pieces.

No Chance For Reassembly

The primary security benefit from cross-cut shredding is how difficult—if not impossible—it is for the tiny shreds to reassemble and their information stolen.

While on one hand, there’s computer software made to reconstruct strip-cut paper. On the other hand, cross-cut shredders cut a single piece of paper into 400+ pieces and a micro-cutter creates 2,000+ paper shreds, leaving even sophisticated software useless.

There are several differences between strip-cut and cross-cut shredders, but the most important is the size of paper shreds.

The security of shredders is measured in levels, and the smaller the shred the higher the level. While strip-cutters only make up levels 1–3, cross-cutting can provide level 4 and above.

Differences Between Cross-Cut and Strip-Cut Shredders

Cross-Cut	Strip-Cut
Cuts paper into small, confetti-like pieces	Cuts paper into long strips—also known as ribbon or strip-cut
Shreds slower and less at one time but is more secure	Shreds more at one time, but shreds can be reassembled more easily
Requires regular oiling and maintenance	Typically does not require regular oiling and maintenance

Comparing Cross-Cut Costs

Cross-cut shredders are typically more expensive than strip-cutters, and while one can argue the security is worth the extra cost, there are actually opportunities for more cost-efficient cross-cutting.

Before reaching for the checkbook, it’s important to consider options like mobile and drop off shredding when thinking about factors like direct costs and time.

Price Tag Comparison

A personal or office cross-cut shredder on one hand can range from several hundred dollars to the thousands—in addition to oiling and maintenance costs.

On the other hand though, shredding services are not only cheaper, but can shred more paper at one time.

For example mobile shredding is common for high-volumes—as much as 300 pounds can be shredded for $100.

With drop off shredding material, you can drop off your documents at local UPS and shipping stores for just $1 per pound.

Maximize Time-Efficiency

Save Time with Strip Cut Shredding Because cross-cut shredders cut the paper twice and can handle less at one time, cross-cut shredding can be tedious and time consuming.

One solution for saving time is shredding services. As one example, one of the main advantages of mobile shredding is the convenience of coming to you to shred your paper.

A mobile shredding truck is equipped with an industrial cross-cut shredder, and can shred as much as 300 lbs in minutes as opposed to hours.

Need More Shredding Security?

Join with Apple, Amazon, and a range of other companies we’ve helped to find the cheapest cross-cut shredding options.

Call us at (800) 747-3365, fill out the form, or contact us directly using our live chat for a free quote from professional shredders in you area.

Which is better cross cut or strip cut shredder?

A strip cutter is better in an environment where the speed of shredding is paramount. Because shredding papers into strips are more straightforward, a strip cutter churns out shreds of paper faster than a cross shredder. Confetti shredders cut a paper in multiple directions, slowing down the process.

What's the difference between a shredder and a cross

The main difference is that a micro-cut shredder offers more security because the shredded paper particles are smaller than standard cross-cut shreds. Both paper shredders cut a page diagonally from both corners. Because both shredders cut sideways means that a micro-cut shredder works the same as a cross-cut shredder.

Is cross

Cross cut shredding offers 7.5 times more security than strip cut shredding. Check out this quick video below to learn more about cross cut shredders! Pros of Cross Cut Shredding: As mentioned above, cross cut shredding offers a higher level of security when shredding corporate documents.

Is cross cut shredding enough?

Don't manually rip or cut documents into pieces. Those are too easy for thieves to reassemble. Use a cross-cut shredder, not the type that cuts paper into long strips. A cross-cut creates smaller and more numerous the pieces, making reconstruction harder.