Foreground: Arch die 'locked up' in a chase, ready to die cut. Background: Our Die library hangs vertically in rows to maximise space. We use vintage Heidelberg presses (without the ink rollers) for our traditional die cutting.
Die Cutting - for your printed designs or choose blank (unprinted) shapes
TRADITIONAL or DIGITAL die cutting uses specialist machines to produce cut-out shapes like a cookie cutter. We can create the same shape, over and over creating crisp, professional and consistent results every time. Shapes add personality to your printing! Peterkin has a huge range of die cut shapes and sizes for you to choose from in our die library, or you can create your own custom die shape.
Die cutting can be used for flat shapes with or without scoring, and to create three-dimensional objects like pockets, sleeves and boxes for packaging projects large and small.
Peterkin has an extensive selection of on-trend die cut shapes in our die library.
Our library of shapes are suitable to use for digital printing and for letterpress, hot foil press and embossing. And because they're our in house dies, it's a cost effective (yet super speccy) add-on for your printing. We also use die cutting for envelope liners to fit our envelope range, tags, place cards and pockets & sleeves.
View our library of available die cut shapes here.
What is traditional die cutting & what is it used for?
Traditional dies are thin, razor-sharp steel blades formed into specific shapes. We mount the blades into wood which is then carefully fixed into the chase of our press. Each sheet of paper or card is pressed between the die and the platen, punching the shape out with a crisp clean edge.
Traditional die cutting is always used for designs that are letterpressed, hot foiled, embossed or on double-thick (duplexed) card - this is because these processes can't be run through a digital die cutter, it might damage your cards, and duplexed stocks are too thick! Traditional dies also have superior scoring for pockets and packaging. Traditional die cutting is also used for large print runs approx 100+ pieces.
For bigger runs and custom traditional dies contact us for a quote.
What is Digital Die Cutting & what is it used for?
Digital die cutting converts your chosen vector die line to a special format to be read by computer, rather than making a physical die. Our digital die cutting machine has a camera that finds a printed mark on each page to achieve 'magic' registration. It then cuts and scores according to your die line using lots of special cutting and creasing tools.
Digital die cutting is excellent for short print runs, samples to test your designs and digital printing up to 350gsm thick card. We also use digital die cutting for our Rigid Signage & Posters (a very large flat bed die cutter), and for our Sticker / Labels (using a much smaller machine!)
Both the circle and the rose have been digitally die cut.
Create OMG Die Cut Samples
We've digitised the Peterkin die library (so there's no set up fee there for you), which means you can order one-off mind-blowing die cut single samples of all our shapes...
But (get this) you can also have one-off samples of your own unique shapes too!
Order custom digital die cut samples or standard Peterkin shapes
Order die cut printed samples here.
Digital or traditional die cutting?
We're keeping it ultra-simple...
Digital Die Cutting -- Standard thickness stocks, digitally printed.
Traditional Die Cutting -- Double thick stocks, any letterpress, foil or embossed job.
