Die cutting is the process of using a die cutting machine and a metal die to cut a shape or design repeatedly, professionally and easily.
Die cutting dates back to the mid-’s when it was invented to streamline the time-consuming and tedious shoe-making process. It meant that cobblers were able to mass-produce the soles of shoes, marking the beginning of standardised sizing.
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The ’s saw the invention of smaller die cutting machines used in the education sector and from onwards die cutting machines for crafters were developed and became popular for use by card makers and scrapbookers. These machines were smaller and more portable which made them fit perfectly on craft tables. Soon, cutting dies became a staple piece of crafting equipment.
A cutting die is a tool made of thin metal designed to cut paper, cardstock, felt, cork sheets, thin fabric or vinyl when used in conjunction with a die cutting machine. The range of cutting dies available is limitless! There are shapes, frames, sentiments, letters and numbers.
Think of a cutting die as performing a similar job to a cookie cutter. A cookie cutter is usually a plastic shape designed to cut through cookie dough to create repeatable shapes. A cutting die has a similar purpose but is thinner and made of metal so that it can cut through paper and card.
One side of the metal die is the cutting edge and with pressure, it will cut through the desired material.
A die cutting machine is required to use cutting dies. It has a combination of rollers and cutting plates. With the application of pressure, you can cut the intended material.
The die cutting machines used in crafting can be manual, which means the die is fed through the machine via turning the crank or handle. Alternatively, there are electronic machines where the process of feeding the die through the machine is automated. The electronic machines are typically more expensive, but they are great for people who find the manual die cutting machines a strain on their wrists or arms. One thing to note is that an electric die cutting machine is noisier than a manual machine due to the motor.
Popular die cutting machine brands include Sizzix, Spellbinders and Crafter’s Companion. Each brand has varying sizes and features so you will need to take into consideration the size of your dies and the thickness of your materials.
Each die cutting machine is different so it’s best to check the requirements of your machine. For now, we will give you general guidelines on the die cutting process.
To die cut with a manual machine, you need to ‘sandwich’ your chosen die and material between the acrylic cutting pads.
For example, if you are using a die to cut from cardstock then follow these steps:
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This pulls your ‘sandwich’ through by applying pressure to create the cut.
If you are using an electric die cutter, create your ‘sandwich’ as described above. The only difference with this machine is that rather than a crank or handle, it has a motor that feeds it through the rollers automatically.
Your die cutting machine can also be used to emboss materials such as cardstock. To do this, follow the same ‘sandwich’ process. Grab an embossing folder and place the second acrylic cutting pad on top. Then, pass this through the die cutting machine. The end result is a lovely raised pattern from the embossing folder on your cardstock.
Uniquely Creative has a range of clear storage pockets that are perfect for safely storing your die sets and keeping them organised. You could store similar dies together to make it easy to find them. For example, you could have a specific storage pocket for floral dies, another for frames, another for shapes and so on.
Die cutting has become increasingly popular in papercrafts such as card making and scrapbooking as it enables crafters to create their own DIY embellishments, stickers and chipboard elements.
There are so many different types of dies. We recommend starting with some basic shapes and sentiments and then gradually building up your collection. Have fun!
MKER is Masterworks premier offering in the 57″ Blanker lineup. The large size format allows for increase yield in one pass compared to the standard format. The ER offers great versatility, ergonomic layout, 600T pressure ,and an excellent price to performance ratio.
The MKV400 is a new line up in Masterworks Die-cutter inventory. The MkV400 is equipped with 400T of work force (compared to a standard die-cutting machine of 280-320T), it also has 8 zones electric heating from 40c – 120c enabling this machine to outperform others making it one of the best choices for your embossing needs.
The MKMF is an entry level automated die cutting machine with stripping capabilities. Built to achieve fast makereadies and operator friendly operation.The MKMF delivers accurate, high volume, cost-effective operation. The MKMF brings you a high return on your investment.
The MKERsl is an entry level automated die-cutting machine with stripping and blanking capabilities. The MKERsl promises high production and fast return on investment by standardizing many features and having excellent built quality.
Mid Range Die-cutter with Stripping, a masterpiece developed by the joint venture between Masterwork and Heidelberg. The EasyMatrix is one of the most reliable die-cutter in its price category. The Short make-ready time and straightforward operation guarantee your job Done in A precise and efficient way.
The promatrix 106CS die-cutting, stripping and embossing system is designed for the most precise folding carton products. With an output of 8,000 sheets per hour and short set-up time, it promises productivity and cost-effectiveness up to the 106 format.
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