Die cutting is a manufacturing process that uses custom-engineered blades made of steel rule or forged metal to cut, score, and perforate materials into specific shapes and sizes.

It works by placing a sheet or roll of material between a shaped metal blade (the die) and a cutting platform or anvil. The material gets pressed between these two surfaces, allowing the blade to slice cleanly through.

Dies come in various styles suited to different die cutting techniques. Common types include flatbed dies for presses, rotary dies for roll-fed materials, and steel-rule dies for folding cartons.

Die cutting creates repetitive, high-precision cuts at a rapid rate compared to manual fabrication methods. It excels at mass-producing identical parts or items within extremely fine tolerances.

The technique handles a wide array of materials, from paper, plastics, textiles, foam, leather, and rubber to ultra-thin or brittle substances like mica. Clean, burr-free cuts are achieved through even intricate shapes by expertly controlling pressure and die characteristics.

Die cutting is ideal for making custom gaskets, washers, labels, signs, prototypes and more. It generates less waste than other cutting processes. The shaped cavities or “blanks” left behind get utilized elsewhere instead of discarded as scrap.