What is Die Cutting

You’ve probably heard of the term die cutting, but might not be sure exactly what it means. So let’s break it down. In the world of printing, die refers to a thin steel blade with a specific shape or pattern. You can think of it as a more heavy-duty cookie cutter.

Naturally, die-cutting is the process of cutting paper or other substrates into the specific patterns that you would like.

It is an automated operation. If the sizes and shapes that you want are more commonly used then there’s a good chance that those options will be readily available on the printer. There are also many customizable options is you want something a little more different, and unique.

Using Die Cutting For Promotional Purposes

It is often used for promotional purposes because of its customizable designs. Regular printing is pretty standard and doesn’t offer much in terms of variety. So businesses looking to stand out from the crowd and create promotional designs, prefer the options of die-cutting.

Promotional labels can be made with sculpted edges and pockets. Or they can have rounded corners and different geometric shapes. Die-cutting offers options that many companies need in order to create great promotional items.

Using It For Functionality

Die-cutting isn’t just useful for promotional purposes. Many of the customizable options are great for simple things that make a product function properly. Slits and tabs found in brochures are often created using die-cutting.

The holes in door hangers are often create using die-cutting. There are many benefits of the process that will help you and your company create great items that are functional and customized.

Things To Consider When Die Cutting

The process is different depending on what you’re using it for. There are many options readily available and some that you’ll need to customize. There are a few things that you should consider if you’re going to die-cut labels.

1. Avoid trimming sharp corners, they could tear during the process.
2. For cutting holes, leave enough space between as to avoid unnecessary rips
3. Add a line of your shape into Adobe illustrator.

Die-cutting can be as creative as you are. They can do whatever you need them to do. If you need the whole perimeter shaped, or just a corner, die-cutting can do that. It doesn’t have to just shape or cute the edges, it can provide the same services in the middle of the sheet. Wherever you want the work done, die-cutting can provide that.