offcut

Offcut is a piece of material that remains after a larger piece has been cut to a desired size or shape. The offcut is typically smaller and may vary in length, width, thickness, and quality depending on the material and cutting method. The term is commonly used in woodworking, textiles, metalworking, and printing, among other industries.

In woodworking, offcuts include short boards, blocks, and sawdust left after a primary cut. They can be used for small components, patches, inlays, or jigs, or saved for future repairs. In textiles and garment production, offcuts refer to leftover fabric from cutting patterns, which may be employed for patches, trim, or scrap fabrics for testing and sampling. In metalworking, offcuts are remnants from machining or forming processes and are frequently recycled as scrap metal. In printing and paper production, trimmed sheets generate offcuts that can be repurposed into recycled fiber or used for test runs and mockups.

Handling and value of offcuts vary by industry. Many operations collect offcuts in dedicated waste or scrap bins and dispose of them through recycling streams or salvage markets. Some offcuts are repurposed internally to reduce material usage, sold to fabricators or hobbyists, or upcycled into new products. Effective management of offcuts supports waste reduction, cost savings, and environmental sustainability.