Die cutting and creasing is the process of scoring or cutting material to create a bespoke shape.
Eco – 100% of materials used in die and laser cutting are recyclable, including the waste paper, die forms and metal cutting rules.
Traditionally the best method of die cutting is by using a die forme which is applied under pressure to cut out the shape on the printed material. The waste material is ‘stripped out’ and recycled. Presentation folders and packaging are great examples of die cutting and creasing.
Top Tip:
Brief your die maker in the material you are going to be die cutting, they will choose the correct cutting rule to give the best cut and crease effect.
With no tooling required, minute detail can be laser cut through paper vapourising the material. With perfectly clean edges and pin point accuracy, this technology will become more prevalent in the industry. Hybrid machines that laser cut a die board and then cut mechanically are also coming into the market.
Top Tip:
Only paper thicknesses can be cut at present, thick materials such as boards leave burn marks, we cut up to 350g.
Creasing is the same methodology as die cutting but uses a blunt rule to apply a soft score into the material to assist with folding a thick material.
Top Tip:
Especially useful on coated papers where cracking of the coating is possible, a good crease will help the fold and overall appearances.
Making the die is a highly skilled process; depending on what material is going to be die cut, its thickness, its surface quality, its internal structure and coating all affects what cutting rules to use.
The forme is packed with ejection rubber (being applied here) to release the printed sheet from the die forme at high speed.
