Why Sharp Cutting-In Is a Skill You Can’t Fake (And Why We Don’t Need Tape!)

If there’s one thing people comment on when they watch Jessica and I work, it's this:

“Hang on… how are you doing those edges WITHOUT masking tape?”

Cutting-in is one of those skills that looks easy… until you actually try it. A steady hand, a good brush and over 30 years of experience painting homes across Surrey and Berkshire — that’s what makes the difference.

We once had a job in Ascot where the client wanted the richest, darkest navy blue you can imagine. Stunning colour, but absolutely unforgiving if the lines aren’t perfect. When we arrived, the edges were nowhere near sharp, so Jessica and I took our time getting that finish crisp, clean and beautifully tight.

That job reminded us just how many people think cutting-in is “simple,” until they see proper freehand in action.

At Kolors Decorating, sharp freehand cutting-in is one of our signature strengths. Those razor-clean edges are what make a room look properly finished — not “DIY painted,” but professionally completed with care.

Why freehand cutting-in matters:

• It gives the room a smoother, premium finish

• No tape ridges, peeling or bleeding underneath

• Faster, neater and far more consistent

• Shows real craftsmanship that tape can’t compete with

Why we don’t use masking tape:

• Tape can pull fresh paint off

• Tape can leave messy, uneven edges

• Tape often allows paint to bleed

• Tape slows everything down unnecessarily

When you’ve got the skill, freehand is cleaner, sharper and simply better.

Pickle usually lies somewhere nearby, doing his slow-blink approval whenever the edges are straight enough for his very high standards.

He takes quality control extremely seriously.

In short… cutting-in isn’t a trick — it’s a craft that takes years to perfect.

It’s one of the reasons people recommend Kolors Decorating when they want clean, precise lines and a finish that feels properly professional. This is why sharp cutting-in is a skill you can’t fake

Skill, laughter, sharp brushes and a little dog supervising — that’s the Kolors way.

Till next time,

Zo