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Ever wondered how that decal on your Hydro Flask got its shape? Or how there are so many different paper shapes glued to a stick in that photo booth at your cousin’s wedding? They’re from a die cutting machine. Maybe it’s because we are print industry junkies, but the process in which these kinds of things are made is really quite fascinating.

What Are Dies?

Dies are metal shapes, words, or alphabet letters that can be used to cut images from a material. They’re made of metal and come in all kinds of fun shapes and sizes.

What Is Die Cutting?

Die cutting is a process in which you use a machine to mass produce cut-out shapes, kind of like a giant cookie cutter. These shapes can then be used for a variety of projects including scrapbooking, t-shirts, homemade cards, quilts, or decorations for a party. One great benefit of die cutting machines is that you’re able to cut the same exact shape over and over again, saving a lot of time and mistakes. The coolest part is it can be done in a factory or right at home!

Three different types of die cutting machines exist:

  1. Manual: Manual die cutting machines are very easy to use, don’t require a computer, and come in different costs and budgets. Small machines are good for embossing and cutting smaller projects while larger machines can cut multiple pieces of fabric at once. Another advantage of manual die cutting machines is that they can also use embossing folders, which is a piece of hard plastic that imprints or embosses a design onto paper or cardstock.
  2. Digital: Digital die cutting machines connect to a computer. These machines are also called electronic cutting machines, desktop cutting machines, or vinyl cutters, though some vinyl cutters only cut vinyl. When using a digital die cutting machine, designs are either created from scratch or imported in design software, then sent to the machine to be cut. A digital die cutting machine offers a lot of advantages. Along with being able to create your own designs, many desktop cutting machines also can draw, etch, and engrave designs, as well as cut.
  3. Industrial: Industrial die cutters are used primarily in manufacturing, but they have a wide range of applications within this field. The most popular forms to use them are for die cutting cardboard and fiberboard to create packaging supplies which include not just product packaging, but also envelope mailers, bookends, and cargo liner components. Foam parts, plastic parts, and rubber parts are also popular materials used for industrial die cutters.

Let Davant Help You Add Unique Shapes Within Your Print Materials

You don’t need to be an expert crafter to work a die cutting machine, but surely you have more important things to focus on within your business. Let the experts here at Davant handle this unique and stand-out way to draw attention to your company. People will always remember a printed piece because of its unique ability to draw attention to itself. Contact us today to reach your audience, inform your audience, and build the bond between the two: (317) 849-6565.

 

Author Davant

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