Term: cut in

In painting, the term "cut in" refers to the technique of carefully painting a straight line along the edges of a surface, such as where a wall meets the ceiling, corners, trim, or baseboards. This is typically done with a brush rather than a roller to ensure precision and avoid getting paint on adjacent surfaces.

Cutting in is usually the first step before rolling the larger areas of a wall. It creates a clean, professional-looking edge and eliminates the need for masking tape in many cases when done by an experienced painter.

In Australia, as in other countries, professional painters often "cut in" freehand using an angled sash brush, relying on a steady hand and years of practice to achieve sharp, clean lines.