What is Die Cutting?

Die cutting is a process to cut paper and other thin, flat materials into shapes such as a circle, heart, stars or whatever you want. Our system also allows for perforating, and scoring. i latina creative can die cut cards, greeting cards, invitations, business cards, and more.

 

Die Cut Design

Die Cut: Die cutting is a process to cut paper into various shapes. More intricate patterns can also be cut into a material such as adding a cutout honeycomb pattern or filigree. When you create a die cut design that has a lot of detail, include enough connecting/holding points so that it will remain intact when the remnants are removed.

Perforation: Very small holes are punched into the paper according to your design specifications. This allows a portion of the paper to be torn away easily where the holes are located, as with a coupon or an invitation with tear-off RSVP.

Score/Crease: Scoring is the process of creasing the paper so it will fold more easily. Crease/score lines are not recommended over printed areas as they will remove ink.

Kiss Cut: Kiss cuts are light surface cuts that go through a single layer of a two-layered material such as stickers.

Please note: The die may cause a slight discoloration on cut edges. This effect is minimal and will be more noticeable on white stocks or lightly printed areas with cutouts, and will likely not appear at all on most projects.

 

Die Cutting File Set Up

There are some extra steps required to set up a successful print file with die cutting. Please take a look at our die cutting file setup pages for Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator. If you have any questions about setting up your file, please contact hello@theprinterynco.com

 

Cutting Tolerance

Cutting tolerance is the slight variations that occur when online printing projects are cut down to size. Our cutting tolerance is 1/16″, which means the trim line can vary by up to that much. Anything that comes within 1/16” of the edge of the cut line could potentially be cut off. Text or other elements that you want to ensure are not trimmed away must be placed more than 1/16” away from the expected edge of the design. See the bleeds and borders help page for more information on bleeds, borders, and margins.

 

Cutting Tolerance and Document Setup

See the diagrams below for helpful document setup and to learn more about cutting tolerance. Please note that if your project has art going to the edge, a 1/8″ bleed is needed.

 Important elements should not be closer than 1/16” from the edge to allow for cutting tolerance.

 The dotted line outlines the intended document bounds. The solid line represents the cutting tolerance and how the cutting can vary by 1/16”.

 

Sticker Printing – Circle Options

The diagrams below illustrate considerations for circular sticker printing. Please note that with full-bleed artwork, a 1/8″ bleed is needed.

Important elements should not be closer than 1/16” from the edge to allow for cutting tolerance.

The dotted line outlines the intended document bounds. The solid line represents the cutting tolerance and how the cutting can vary by 1/16”.

 

Die Cutting Illustrator

1. In Adobe Illustrator, create a new layer on top that will contain the cut portions of your design. Name the layer “Cut.”
2. Once this layer is in place, create a new color swatch. Start by clicking on “Window,” then “Color,” then “Swatches.” The Swatch Palette will appear.
3. Click in the upper right hand corner of the Swatch Palette and select “New Swatch.”
4. Change the Swatch Name to match the desired line type (e.g. “Dieline” – see guide below).
5. Use the Color Type drop-down menu to select “Spot.”
6. Change the Color Mode to “RGB” and adjust the values to match the desired line type (see Line Type Glossaryfor definitions):
   
7. Repeat steps 2-6 for any other types of lines in your file (dieline, kiss-cut, perforation, etch, etc.).
8. On the Laser Cut layer, with the corresponding spot color, clearly define the outline of any shapes that will be cut out or etched with a .25 pt. stroke weight. All lines, including perforation, should be solid not dashed.
9. Make sure to leave at least 2 mm between lines and be mindful to create a design with enough connecting/holding points that it will remain intact when the cut pieces are removed. You may include clipping masks in your printed artwork, but please make sure the laser cut lines do not include clipping masks.
10. Once your artwork is complete, save as a PDF. Under the “Output” setting in the PDF saving options box, there is a drop-down box labeled “Profile Inclusion Policy.” Select “Don’t Include Profiles,” then click “Save PDF.”

Your file should now be ready for submission. Please note, if you have selected digital laser die cutting and also have multiple versions, there may be an additional charge for file and machine setup when the laser cut files differ by version.

Die Cutting Illustrator

1. In Adobe InDesign, create a new layer on top that will contain the laser cut portions of your design. Name the layer “Laser Cut.”
2. Once this layer is in place, create a new color swatch. Start by clicking on “Window,” then “Color,” then “Swatches.” The Swatch Palette will appear.
3. Click in the upper right hand corner of the Swatch Palette and select “New Color Swatch.”
4. Change the Swatch Name to match the desired line type (e.g. “Dieline” – see guide below).
5. Use the Color Type drop-down menu to select “Spot.”
6. Change the Color Mode to “RGB” and adjust the values to match the desired line type (see Line Type Glossaryfor definitions):
   
7. Repeat steps 2-6 for any other types of lines in your file (dieline, kiss-cut, perforation, etch, etc.).
8. On the Laser Cut layer, with the corresponding spot color, clearly define the outline of any shapes that will be cut out or etched with a .25 pt. stroke weight. All lines, including perforation, should be solid not dashed.
9. Make sure to leave at least 2 mm between lines and be mindful to create a design with enough connecting/holding points that it will remain intact when the cut pieces are removed. You may include clipping masks in your printed artwork, but please make sure the laser cut lines do not include clipping masks.
10. Once your artwork is complete, save as a PDF. Under the “Output” setting in the PDF saving options box, there is a drop-down box labeled “Profile Inclusion Policy.” Select “Don’t Include Profiles,” then click “Export.”

Your file should now be ready for submission. Please note, if you have selected digital laser die cutting and also have multiple versions, there may be an additional charge for file and machine setup when the laser cut files differ by version.

If you have any questions or are stuck in any of the steps, don’t hestitate to contact us at hello@theprinterynco.com

 

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