Die-cut: Guidance for Suitability

Tom Williams
by Tom Williams 7 years ago
 

Cut/Perforation Types

The different Cut and Perforation types are denoted by line stroke style (Graphic file specification).

The Finished appearance is how they appear on Paper.

Feature name Finished appearance Graphic file specification
Cut
Continuous cut

Solid line
Perforation 3/3
3 pt gap, 3 pt cut, …

12pt dash, 2pt gap,
2pt dash, 2pt gap, …
Perforation 2/10


2 pt gap, 10 pt cut, …


2pt dash, 2pt gap,
2pt dash, 6pt gap, …

Perforation 2/35


2 pt gap, 35 pt cut, …


12pt dash, 4pt gap,
2pt dash, 4pt gap,
2pt dash, 4pt gap, …
Perforation 2/70


2 pt gap, 70 pt cut, …


4pt dash, 4pt gap, …

Crease
Continuous crease

2pt dash, 2pt gap, ...
Punched hole Available as:  3 mm – 10 mm in increments of 1 mm. Fill Colour: DIE-CUT FORME, overprinted.
Diameter: 3 mm – 10 mm.

Setting your die-cut line styles

A Die-Cut Crease line style created in InDesign using a 2pt dash and a 2pt gap alongside Stroke Weight and Colour Swatch settings.

Cuts

Cuts are often used for Business Cards with an added shape or to create shaped flyer products.

Cuts can be used as either straight lines or shaped lines wherever you want to cut the finished product.

Production will assume that you want any cut-out shape to ‘fall out’ (without pushing) and will apply the minimum number of nicks required to allow them to manufacture and pack the product.

If you wish us to remove the waste from the edge of a shape, then specify the appropriate "push-out" Finishing option on the Job Summary. See Die-cut: Push-out and Waste for more information.

Business Cards and Flyers with Rounded Corners

If your Business Card or Flyer (A5 and below) requires all 4 corners to be rounded, then there is no need to order a Die Cut product. Instead order the normal product and specify a Finishing Note. The Finishing Note is:

• RO4CO Round off 4 corners

This Finishing Note adds an extra step into production, where the corners are rounded with a 6mm radius before packing. This step avoids the 'nicks' that have to be added when using a die cut to create the rounded corners. You can continue to order using a die cut product, but the new Finishing Note gives a superior end product.

Perforations

Are used for Tear-off panels, Push-out shapes and Pop-outs. There are some combinations you should avoid, and tricks for getting good results in some cases. Check out our Making it work article.

Perforation 3/3

This is the strongest perforation available.

Recommended for

  • Tear-off panels on all stocks.
    Relatively robust when flat and will fold once before tearing.

  • Mailing.
    Robust characteristic when flat ensures the perforation will post well

Not recommended for

  • Push-Out Shapes.
    The perforations are too strong and numerous for pushing-out without damaging the host

Perforation 2/10

This is a strong mid-range perforation.

Recommended for

  • Push-Out Shapes on stocks lighter than 400gsm.
    Will accept a reasonable amount of handling and shapes can be removed with minimal impact on the host.

Not recommended for

  • Push-Out Shapes on 400gsm stocks.
    The perforations are too strong and numerous for pushing-out without damaging the host.

  • Tear-Off Panels on any stock.
    The perforation is weaker than the 3/3 and will break off easily.

Perforation 2/35

This is the weaker mid-range perforation available.

Recommended for

  • Pop-outs and Push-Out Shapes on non-laminated 330gsm SmoothWove and 400gsm Silk products.
    Will accept a reasonable amount of handling and shapes can be removed with minimal impact on the host

Not recommended for

  • Push-Out Shapes on stocks lighter than 330gsm.
    The 2/10 perforation is better for thinner stocks.

  • Tear-Off Panels on any stock.
    The perforation is weaker than the 3/3 and will break off easily

Perforation 2/70

This is the weakest perforation available.

Recommended for

  • Push-Out Shapes on laminated 400gsm products.
    It puts a 0.7mm nick every 25mm or so, and the shape can be removed very easily with minimal impact to the host.

Not recommended for

  • Tear-Off Panels on any Stock.
    The perforation is weak and will separate with minimum force, even when flat.

Crease

A crease is used to prevent the fibres of the paper from cracking when folding. It also aids forming a neat fold in thicker materials. It will not automatically fold in exactly the right place. The more care you take with folding, the better the result you will obtain.

Punched Hole

Punched holes are available with diameter 2½ mm, and in increments of 1 mm, from 3 mm up to 10 mm.

Punched holes remain attached to the item

Although the holes are fully punched through, they remain attached to the item, and will require pushing out by the customer or end user.

If you require a fully drilled hole (4 mm, 5 mm, ... 10 mm), specify drilling instead.

Specifying drilling will add a day to the turnaround of your product. We recommend using punches wherever possible.

Complexity

Each punched hole contributes '2' to the complexity total, so take care not to exceed the complexity score allowed for the product. See Forme complexity for more.

 

 

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