How to Cut Shadowline Ceiling Tile

A shadowline cut creates an indented lip along the outer edges of ceiling tiles. The indented lip allows the tile to be seated into the ceiling's grid network once it is installed. To custom fit shadowline ceiling tile, cut off the factory lip indentation. Next, cut a new shadowline lip into the tile to ensure it matches the rest of the ceiling tiles. Create the cut using a shadowline utility knife, which has a back fence that rests on the back face of the tile and guides the blade in a straight line across the edge.

Shadowline ceiling tile
Tape measure
Utility knife
Shadowline knife

Instructions

- 1
  Place the ceiling tile on a flat work surface. Measure the open ceiling grid space using a tape measure, add 1/2 inch to the measurement and transfer the figure to the tile. Cut the ceiling tile to the desired length using a utility knife.
- 2
  Measure back from the tile's cut edge to the spot where the shadowline lip will be made. Mark a straight line across the tile face. Adjust the utility knife's cutting depth so it will cut only halfway through the tile. Cut along the marked line on the face of the tile.
- 3
  Measure the shadowline utility knife's blade and make adjustments to make cuts to the desired depth.
- 4
  Set the blade fencing against the back face of the ceiling tile; the blade tip should be facing the outer edge of the ceiling tile that will be cut.
- 5
  Slide the shadowline utility knife into the ceiling tile material slowly. Slide the blade across the entire edge of the tile until the cut is complete.

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