An apparatus for scribing the coating on a coated panel; wherein the apparatus comprises the following: a base, at least one linear guide affixed to the base, a moveable table positioned on the at least one linear guide and the base, a pivotable bracket mounted on the base, a cutter assembly of a cutter element and a holder for the cutter element where the cutter assembly is mounted on the bracket and wherein the cutter element is in a substantially parallel relationship to the table; a loading mechanism positioned on top of the bracket, such that when the cutter device in the cutter assembly is brought into contact with a panel positioned on the moveable table, the loading mechanism applies a uniform force to the panel position on the table; a stopping means attached to the moveable table to prevent the panel from moving during scribing; and means for moving the table positioned on the base and in contact with the linear guide on the base such that when the table is moved on the guide by the means for moving the table, the cutter element in contact with the panel scribes the panel through the coating thereby forming a scribe of at least one line on the panel.