Die Cutting | Specialty Custom Shapes | Gold Image Printing

What is Die Cutting?

If you're wondering what is die cut, you've come to the right place. Die cutting is essentially cookie cutters for paper. Have you ever been preparing cookies from scratch and wanted to cut them into certain shapes? When you did this, you may have wanted a cookie cutter with a specific shape and gone through your drawer looking for one. If you couldn't find it, your next step was to go to the baking supply store and have a look for the right shape and size. Oftentimes, you'd end up settling on something that's close-enough. When it comes to running your business, you don't want your products to be "close-enough", you want them to deliver the promises your company set out to fulfill. Well, die cutting effectively lets you make your own die cutters. Instead of cookies, we're cutting paper and other printing products. 

Let's have a look at the process a bit more closely. Die cutting is a process used to generate large numbers of the same shape from paper. The process is widely used on an assortment of materials all over the world, and many manufactured products contain several die cuts, often assembled in a series of steps to create a finished product. Sharp specially shaped blades are used in die cutting. The blade is bent into the desired shape and mounted to a strong backing. The result is known as a die. The material being cut is placed on a flat surface with a supportive backing, and the die is pressed onto the material to cut it with a die cutting machine. Depending on what is being made, a single die might cut one piece of material, or it might be designed to slice through multiple layers, generating a stack of blanks.

Many consumers find it helpful to consider a cookie cutter when thinking about the capabilities of die cutting. The cookie cutter is a type of die which is capable of cutting out a potentially infinite number of blanks. Each blank will be exactly the same shape and size, meaning that the blanks can be cooked uniformly together and decorated at will for individuality. The alternative is cutting out each “cookie” by hand, a painstaking process which would result in irregular final products.

Make Use of Die Cutting

The die must be designed so that it efficiently cuts the desired material with minimal waste. Since a die must be designed for each project, it's important to always keep in mind the startup cost. For example, if you just wanted one die cut menu for your restaurant, that would be far from ideal. You can most certainly contact us to request one a sample die cut menu, but that should be the predecessor for a larger order to make the most of the die that's been created for you. Die cutting can be used on a massive variety of paper stocks. If you ever want to add die cutting to your product, or any other specialty for that matter, simply make a request for a custom quote. The unique shapes and sizes allowed by custom shape printing with a die cutting press cannot be achieved on certain materials. For most raised foil items, retractable banners, step and repeat banners, and other products made of fabric, we are unfortunately not able to do custom die printing with die cutting dies. Please keep this in mind when you order. With these facts in mind, read on to learn about the various products we have that let you make use of die cutting services online.

Die Cutting with Gold Image Printing Products

Order as many products of die cut printing as you need when you order through us at Gold Image Printing. As the leading online printing company, we're always striving to bring hassle free efficiency to our customers at affordable rates. While a manual die cutting machine may be able to give you some samples, when you rely on our die cut printing, you'll save time and resources, letting you focus on your branding and anything else that can help grow your business. A fantastic way to get inspiration for die cutting products is to have a look at our  Gold Image Printing Blog posts: and You can use die cutting to turn die cut business cards into the shape of your logo, company name, and so much more. Requests for die cutting are so common in fact, that we have dedicated product pages for our circle business cards and leaf business cards. Another popular product for die cutting is our die cut roll labels. Sure, you could stick any square or circle label onto your products, but what fun is that when you can make it into any shape you want with die cutting? Add to the customized flare of your labels with die cutting and impress customers! Need to decorate your storefront? Want your store sign to be cut into the exact shape of your brand name? Order some of our custom shape foam boards. Die cutting allows you to make these into any shape or size, from small decorations dispersed in style throughout your shop or trade show stand, to large format printing options for expos and other events. For your next trade show, or even just to add a personal touch to your deliveries, why not order some die cut stickers? Our die cutting lets you choose any shape you want, so you can wow your customers with your creativity! We look forward to receiving your next order of Gold Image Printing die cutting products!

Other specialties

Die cutting is but one of the specialties offered at Gold Image Printing. If you're looking to add die cutting or any other specialty, please contact us through a request for a custom quote so we can work with you on your next project. Increase the tactile experience of your customers with soft touch laminate, foil stamping, letterpressing, embossing, or debossing. You can also ask about adding some white ink to draw out a darker backdrop or make your product shine with digital foil. Have a look at our foil color chart to see all the vivid colors available! Finally, if you're interested in an assortment of products, from those that make use of die cutting, to any and all of our other specialties, we highly recommend setting up a corporate account. With a corporate account we will be working hand-in-hand with you as our team of professionals assists with everything from stunning graphic design to reliable consistency across your entire lineup.

FAQ

Q: What is a die cut? / What does die cut mean?
A: Die cut refers to the process of die cutting, through which specially shaped blades, or dies, are used to create unique shapes. From triangles and circles, to hearts, arrows, and logo-shapes, the possibilities of die cut shapes are endless!

Q: What is die cutting?
A: It is the same as to die cut, referring to the process of using specially shaped blades to create unique shapes for printing.

Q: How can I use die cuts without a machine?
A: So this is technically possible, you can certainly make your own dies, basically sharp cookie cutters for paper, without use of a printing service, but it will be really slow and tedious. Not to mention, unless you're mass producing the print it's going to end up costing you way more than ordering through an online printing service like Gold Image Printing.

Q: What is a die cut sticker?
A: As the name suggests, it is a sticker that has been die cut. At Gold Image Printing we offer die cut stickers at affordable prices, which you can design on your own online!

Q: Can you tell me how to make custom die cut stickers?
A: You can order die cut stickers or custom die cut labels through Gold Image Printing. When you do this, you save money, time, and valuable resources.

Q: How do I make die cuts?
A: On your own you could buy individual dies to cut out the shapes slowly by hand, or you could save a ton of time, frustration, and even money by ordering through Gold Image Printing. Ordering through us will also allow highly customized shapes, including for large format printing. Check out our custom shape foam boards for some ideas!

Q: What is a die cut card?
A: A die cut card may refer to either die cut business cards or die cut invitations, both of which use the die cutting process to achieve unique shapes.

Q: Tell me how to create a custom die cut illustrator?
A: Take advantage of our templates for products, including for custom die cut products. These are available in .JPG, .PDF, .AI, and .PSD formats, perfect for use with your favorite editing software! Need a size you can't find? Contact us!

Q: How do I make a custom design for die cutting machine use?
A: Use our free templates to help you design your own die cutting products online!

Q: How much does it cost to custom die cut?
A: The cost of die cutting will depend on the product. Your best bet is to have a look at one of our die cut products, such as die cut hang tags or die cut menus and then click through the options that best suit your needs. You'll notice the price will update in real-time as you choose what you need. This is the best way of determining whether die cutting fits in your budget. Please keep in mind too that the more you buy, the more you save!

Q: How do I add die cutting to a product?
A: Unless otherwise specified, please make a request for a custom quote if you're interested in adding die cutting to your printing service product.