< Back to Glossary

Die Cutting

Die cutting is a process that uses a special machine and a custom steel blade called a die to cut, shape, or perforate materials accurately. It is used to cut low-strength materials, such as rubber, fibre, foil, cloth, and paper. 

This technique is popular in many industries. It’s used in packaging, printing, textiles, and manufacturing. It helps create custom shapes, patterns, and designs quickly and reliably.

The Die Cutting Process

  1. Design & Die Creation: A die is made in the shape of the desired cut, usually from strong steel.
  2. Material Selection: Different materials can be used, such as paper, cardboard, plastic, fabric, rubber, and foam.
  3. Cutting Process: The material goes through a die-cutting machine, which applies pressure to cut out the shape. Some machines use rollers, while others use flat plates or even lasers for more detailed cuts.

Common Uses of Die Cutting

  • Packaging: Making custom boxes, labels, and folded cartons.
  • Printing: Creating business cards, brochures, stickers, and ads with unique shapes.
  • Fashion & Textiles: Cutting fabric and leather for clothing, shoes, and accessories.
  • Automotive & Industry: Making rubber gaskets, foam padding, and other parts used in manufacturing.

Die cutting is a fast, efficient, and precise way to produce detailed shapes in low-strength materials. This makes it an important process for many industries.

See Other Guides

Medicine package under GV digital inspection in a cartoon background
Proofreading

What Is a Dieline in Printing and Packaging?

In the packaging and printing industry, the term “dieline” refers to a template needed to ensure the correct layout of a final physical package.

Photo of Brandon Malz
by
Brandon Malz
team working on text, color and graphics inspection|What Is Prepress?
Proofreading

What Is Prepress?

In spite of a whole industry dedicated to it, very few people know what prepress is. “Prepress” is used in the printing industry to refer to all of a commercial printer’s activities after they receive an order […]

Photo of Brandon Malz
by
Brandon Malz
How Modern Prepress Software Is Changing the Packaging Industry
Proofreading

How Modern Prepress Software Is Changing the Packaging Industry

When flipping through a brochure or any sort of packaging, you probably think that to get a design printed all you have to do is press the print button.

Logo of GlobalVision
by
GlobalVision Editorial Board

Eliminate Errors, Boost Efficiency

Drive efficiency across your entire proofreading workflow with the market-leading quality inspection software.
Get a Demo