Collection: Cutting In Brush

A quick and simple guide on how to correctly use a cutting in brush to get the best results:

• Use an angled cutting in paint brush for the best control near edges and trim.
• Load the brush properly, ensuring you tap off any excess paint off the side of the tin.
• Begin about half an inch away from the edge you’re painting (ceiling, trim, corner), then gently work toward the edge as you move.
• Hold the brush like a pencil for better control. Use long, smooth strokes to "cut in" a straight line.
• After cutting in, feather the edge with lighter strokes to blend with the roller-painted area.

Here at Decorating Centre Online we stock a wide variety of cutting in paint brushes suitable for every painting project. Simply choose your brush of choice, add it to your basket and continue to the checkout. We offer free standard delivery on all orders over £60.00 and can provide a next day delivery service if required.

For cutting in, the best brush is usually a high-quality angled sash brush. The angled shape provides greater control and makes it easier to paint clean, straight lines around ceilings, skirting boards, door frames, and corners.

Most decorators prefer a brush between 1.5 and 2.5 inches wide for cutting in, as it offers a good balance between precision and paint-holding capacity. Smaller brushes can be useful for tight spaces, while larger brushes may be better for long, straight runs.

Choosing the right cutting in brush can make a big difference to the quality and speed of your decorating. The three most important factors to consider are size, stiffness, and angle.

Size

For most cutting in tasks, a brush between 1.5 and 2.5 inches is ideal. Smaller brushes offer greater precision for detailed work, while larger brushes hold more paint and are better for long, straight lines around ceilings and skirting boards.

Stiffness

A good cutting in brush should be firm enough to maintain control, but not so stiff that it leaves brush marks. Medium-firm bristles are often the preferred choice as they provide accuracy while still allowing the paint to flow smoothly. For water-based paints, high-quality synthetic filaments generally deliver the best results.

Angle

An angled sash brush is usually the decorator's first choice for cutting in. The angled profile helps you reach corners more easily and creates cleaner, sharper lines around edges, ceilings, doors, and trim.

The best way to cut in is to work with a high-quality angled brush and apply paint in smooth, controlled strokes along the edge you're painting. Start by loading the brush lightly, removing any excess paint, and then paint a line a short distance from the edge before carefully working the paint into the corner or along the trim.

In most cases, you should apply the same number of coats when cutting in as you do on the rest of the wall, typically two coats for the best coverage and colour consistency.

Ideally, yes. For the most uniform finish, it's best to roll the wall while the cut-in paint is still slightly wet. This helps the brushed and rolled areas blend together and reduces the risk of visible lines or flashing.

One of the biggest mistakes is using too much paint on the brush, which can lead to drips, uneven edges, and poor control.

Paint strokes after cutting in are usually caused by applying too much paint, using a poor-quality brush, or not blending the brushed areas with the rolled sections of the wall.

If the paint is still wet, gently go back over the area with a lightly loaded brush using long, smooth strokes to level out the finish. You can then roll the adjacent wall area while the paint is still wet to help blend the textures together.

For best results, cut in and roll the wall section while maintaining a wet edge so the brushed and rolled areas merge seamlessly.