This guide is written for workshops that cut and edge band their own parts, or send them out for edge banding. We start with the types of edge band and the usual thicknesses. Then we look at how the band thickness affects cut sizes and how to calculate the linear metres of edging for an order, with an example based on a kitchen cabinet. Finally you see how to mark banded edges and how OptimCut does all of this calculation.
Types of edge banding: ABS, PVC and melamine
ABS edge banding
A chlorine-free thermoplastic, impact resistant and easy to trim cleanly. It is used more and more instead of PVC, especially on fronts and on furniture for public spaces. It is usually slightly more expensive than PVC.
PVC edge banding
For a long time the market standard: flexible, durable, available in many decors and thicknesses. It runs well on hot-melt edge banders. It contains chlorine, which is why some customers avoid it.
Melamine edge banding
Thin impregnated decor paper, often pre-glued at the factory, applied with an iron or hot air. Cheap and quick, but brittle under impact. Suitable for hidden edges or budget jobs.
Besides the material, the width of the band also matters when ordering. It must be slightly wider than the board thickness, so the overhang can be trimmed after gluing. For 18 mm chipboard, 22–23 mm band is usually used, and for 38 mm worktops, 42–45 mm band.
Edge band thickness and where it is used
The band thickness is chosen according to how exposed the edge is and the look you want. The values below are the usual ones in furniture workshops. Suppliers also offer other thicknesses, and every workshop has its own habits.
| Thickness | Usual material | Where it is usually used |
|---|---|---|
| 0.4 mm | Melamine, PVC, ABS | Hidden or lightly stressed edges: back edges of shelves, cabinet interiors, budget jobs |
| 0.8 mm | PVC, ABS | Visible interior edges on budget furniture |
| 1 mm | PVC, ABS | Visible cabinet edges: side panels, bottoms, shelves, rails |
| 2 mm | PVC, ABS | Doors, drawer fronts, worktops and any edge exposed to knocks |
With 2 mm edge banding, the edge is usually radiused on the machine (1–2 mm radius). The result is nicer to the touch and chips less easily. At 0.4 mm there is nothing to radius, so use it only where the edge is not touched.
How edge banding affects cut sizes
The sizes in a design are usually finished sizes, meaning the size of the part after edge banding. If you cut the part to the finished size and then glue 2 mm banding on both ends, it comes out 4 mm longer. On a door, that means wrong gaps. On a cabinet bottom, it means it no longer fits between the side panels.
Subtracting the edge band from the size
For each banded side, subtract the band thickness from the size in that direction. Watch out for a detail that often causes confusion: banding on a long side changes the width of the part, not its length. A 720 × 560 mm side panel with 1 mm banding on the 720 mm front edge is cut at 720 × 559 mm.
Pre-milling
Many edge banders have a pre-milling unit that removes a thin strip from the edge before gluing, for a clean edge free of saw chipping. Usually 0.5–1 mm per side is removed. Whatever the cutter removes must be added to the cut size, otherwise the part comes out smaller.
The full formula, for each banded side: cut size = finished size − band thickness + pre-milling. A practical case: with 1 mm banding and 1 mm pre-milling, the two cancel out and you cut the part exactly to the finished size.
How to calculate how much edge banding you need: an example
The edge banding requirement is calculated separately for each thickness and decor. The principle is simple: add up the lengths of all banded edges, add an allowance per edge for the ends and the start, then a reserve for rejects and test runs. The allowance per edge is usually 20–50 mm, depending on the machine and how carefully you work.
| Part (finished size) | Qty | Banded edges | 1 mm band | 2 mm band |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side panel 720 × 560 | 2 | 1 × 720 (front) | 1440 mm | — |
| Bottom 564 × 560 | 1 | 1 × 564 (front) | 564 mm | — |
| Rail 564 × 100 | 2 | 1 × 564 (front) | 1128 mm | — |
| Shelf 562 × 520 | 1 | 1 × 562 (front) | 562 mm | — |
| Door 716 × 596 | 1 | all 4 sides | — | 2624 mm |
| Net total / cabinet | 3694 mm | 2624 mm |
Edge banding needed for 6 identical base cabinets
1 mm band, net per cabinet: 2 × 720 + 564 + 2 × 564 + 562 = 1440 + 564 + 1128 + 562 = 3694 mm.
2 mm band, net per cabinet: the door perimeter is 2 × (716 + 596) = 2 × 1312 = 2624 mm.
Allowance per edge: 20 mm. 1 mm band: 6 edges × 20 = 120 mm, so 3694 + 120 = 3814 mm per cabinet. 2 mm band: 4 edges × 20 = 80 mm, so 2624 + 80 = 2704 mm per cabinet.
For 6 cabinets: 1 mm band: 6 × 3814 = 22,884 mm ≈ 22.9 m. 2 mm band: 6 × 2704 = 16,224 mm ≈ 16.2 m.
10% reserve for test runs, setup and any rejects: 22.884 × 1.1 ≈ 25.2 m and 16.224 × 1.1 ≈ 17.8 m.
To order: at least 26 m of 1 mm band in the carcass decor and 18 m of 2 mm band in the front decor, rounded up to what the supplier sells (by the metre or by the roll).
The example shows why calculating each thickness separately matters: if you add everything together, you order 44 m “of edge banding” and only find out at the machine that you are short of the 2 mm band. For a whole kitchen, with wall units, tall units and a worktop, the same logic applies to each type of cabinet. See also the cutting plan for a chipboard kitchen.
Cut sizes for the same cabinet
| Part | Finished size | Cut size without pre-milling | Cut size with 1 mm pre-milling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side panel | 720 × 560 | 720 × 559 | 720 × 560 |
| Bottom | 564 × 560 | 564 × 559 | 564 × 560 |
| Rail | 564 × 100 | 564 × 99 | 564 × 100 |
| Shelf | 562 × 520 | 562 × 519 | 562 × 520 |
| Door (2 mm band on 4 sides) | 716 × 596 | 712 × 592 | 714 × 594 |
How to mark banded edges
The edge bander operator should not have to guess. Every part reaches them with clear information: which edges get banding and what thickness.
- In the cut list: one column for the number of banded edges along the length and one for the width (0, 1 or 2), plus the band thickness.
- On the sketch: the usual convention is a thick line on the edge with thick banding and a thin line on the edge with thin banding. Write the legend on the sheet.
- On the part: the label stuck on right after cutting identifies the part. Many operators also mark the edges that get banding in pencil.
- The front edge: on parts with a single banded edge along the length, check on the drawing which side is the front, especially on side panels drilled for hinges.
Band the fronts of an order from the same roll or, at least, from the same batch of edge banding. Shades differ slightly between batches, and on fronts side by side the difference shows.
How OptimCut handles edge banding
In OptimCut, edge banding is defined on each part in the furniture recipe. You describe it once, and for every order of that cabinet the calculation is redone automatically.
- 1Edge banding on each side
In the Edge L and Edge W columns you choose how many sides are banded along the length and the width: 0, 1 or 2. In Edge mm you enter the band thickness for that part. If you leave the field empty, the default thickness from settings is used.
- 2Enter finished sizes
OptimCut subtracts the edge banding from the finished sizes itself, on each banded side. If you already work with cut sizes, untick Subtract edge banding from the cut size in settings.
- 3Pre-milling, at optimization
At the Some parts have edge banding. Pre-mill? step choose No or Yes, I pre-mill and how many mm the cutter removes per side. Every banded part is cut larger by that amount on each banded side.
- 4Edge banding requirement, ready calculated
In the recipe, the Material usage summary shows the total edge banding. After optimization, the CSV export (opens in Excel) contains the board requirement, the cut list, the edge banding requirement and the offcuts. The extra band per edge is set in your account (20 mm by default) and is used only in the edge banding requirement.
Board trimming and blade width are applied in the same calculation, so the final sizes come out exactly right. Details in the article on saw kerf and board trimming. The full settings are described in the user manual.
Conclusion
Edge banding calculation comes down to three rules. Choose the thickness according to how exposed the edge is. Subtract the band from the sizes and add the pre-milling, on each banded side. Calculate the metres separately for each thickness and decor, with an allowance per edge and a small reserve. Done by hand for every order, all this takes time and leaves room for mistakes. Described once in the recipe, it calculates itself.
You can try it on your own cabinets with a free Trial account: 3 optimizations per month, with up to 100 parts, no card. For larger orders, see the Pro plan. And if you work with wood decors, also read the guide to chipboard grain direction in cutting.
Frequently asked questions
How many metres of edge banding do I need for a kitchen cabinet?
For a 600 mm base cabinet, with 1 mm banding on the front edges and 2 mm banding on the door, it comes to about 3.8 m of 1 mm band and 2.7 m of 2 mm band, with a 20 mm allowance per edge. Add a reserve of about 10% and calculate each thickness separately.
Do I have to subtract the band thickness from the cut sizes?
Yes, if the sizes in the design are finished sizes and the band is 1 mm or thicker. Subtract the band thickness on each banded side and add the pre-milling, if your machine pre-mills. With 0.4 mm banding, many workshops do not subtract anything.
What is the difference between ABS and PVC edge banding?
Both are thermoplastics, with similar properties in processing and in use. ABS contains no chlorine and trims cleanly, which is why it is chosen more and more often. PVC is usually slightly cheaper and very widespread.
What edge banding thickness should I use for fronts?
For doors and drawer fronts, 2 mm banding with a radiused edge is usually used. It resists knocks better and looks better than a thin band. On the carcass, 1 mm banding is commonly used.
Does OptimCut calculate the edge banding requirement?
Yes. Edge banding is set on each part in the recipe (number of banded sides along the length and width, plus the thickness), and the CSV export after optimization includes the edge banding requirement. The extra band per edge is set in your account, 20 mm by default.
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