As most of you know, die cuts are just a fancy print term for “cut outs” or shapes. An encyclopedic definition of die cutting would be: a process used in many different industries to cut a thin, flat material into a specific shape using a steel cutting die. We mostly die cut paper and stickers at amp. The benefits of die cutting include visual appeal and a good marketing technique. A fun shape will have a lingering impression on the viewer, making you or your company stand out.
To create die cuts, you must first have a “die” or “die line:” a template that ensures proper layout for a printed product. A graphic designer can create the die line on the computer first and transfer the shape to a physical die. Below are 4 images of the process: the first is a digital picture of a soapbox die, designed on the computer. The second and third images are the physical die and a paper piece stamped out on the letterpress. The last image is the finished product, a beautifully assembled soap box.
Click to enlarge.
soapbox die cut stages
At amp, we use a 1971 Heidelberg Windmill to die cut. We also refer to it as our letterpress.
Because die cutting is a specialty that requires more set-up and finishing, it is a bit more costly. However, if a print shop already has a die made that you like, your project’s cost and time decreases. For this reason, we have made you an inventory of the dies we house at amp. This is not a complete list, as we have several company-specific dies, but it is a good start if you are looking for basic shapes. We will continually update this blog so that you always have the most up-to-date information.
Die Cuts: Animal Dies
Rabbit die
Die Cuts: Badge Dies
3″x5.5″ square badge die with rounded corners
3″x4.5″ rectangular badge die with rounded corners
4″x6″ rectangular badge die with rounded corners
3.5″x4.25″ badge die
Die Cutting: Brochure Dies
Brochure die
Accordion-fold brochure
Die Cuts: Business Card Dies
Business card die
Business card die
Business card die with rounded corners
Rounded corner business card die 3.5″x1.75″
Chop corner business card die
Business card die
business card die
2 round corner 2 straight corner business card die
Scalloped business card die
Die Cuts: Card Dies
Unique card die
Scalloped holiday card die
card die
Rectangular thank you card die with rounded corners
Thank you card die
Square card die with rounded corners
Card die
Folding card die
Die Cuts: Circle Dies
Twenty-four 1″ circles die
Twelve 1.5″ circles die
Single 1.75″ Circle Die
Six 1.75″ circles die
Twelve 2″ circle die
Single 2.5″ Circle Die
Six 2.25″ circles die
Six 2.5″ circles die
Six 2.75″ circular dies
Single 3″ circle die with dot
Six 3″ circles die
Single 3.5″ circle die
Six 3.5″ circles die
Single 4″ circle die
Single 5″ circle die
Single 6″ circle die
Single 6.5″ circle die
Single 8″ circle die with dot
Pacman: single 8″ diameter circle die with dot
Single 10″ circle die
Keg Top Die
Die Cuts: Food and Drink Dies
Pizza slice die
Beer bottle die
Recipe card die with tab
Keg Top Die
Die Cuts: Envelope Dies
envelope liner die
Envelope die
Envelope liner curved flap die
envelope die
envelope insert die
Die Cuts: Fan Dies
Rounded corner rectangular die
Rectangular rounded corner fan die
Die Cuts: Gift Card Dies
gift card die with 2 slits
gift card holder die with 2 slits
gift card holder die with 4 slits
Gift card sleeve die
Die Cuts: Holiday and Seasonal Dies
Christmas ornaments die
Four-leaf clover die
Reindeer die
Santa beard die
Skeleton die
Tombstone die mailer
Leaf die
Die Cuts: Households and Household Items Dies
Pencil die
Ribbon die with hole
House die
DVD cover die
Tie Die
Soapbox die
Die Cuts: Mailer Dies
Bifold mailer die
“Hold your hand” bifold mailer die
Die Cuts: Media/Press Kit Covers Dies
Press kit die
Media kit cover die
Die Cuts: Miscellaneous Dies
Miscellaneous die
Miscellaneous die
Miscellaneous die
Paper swatch die
Miscellaneous shapes die
Miscellaneous die
Percentage die
Sticker die
Miscellaneous die
Shield die
Miscellaneous die
Hand die
smile die
Die Cuts: Music-Related Dies
Male playing guitar bifold die
Headphones die
Guitar pick die
Sticker die
Die Cuts: Oval Dies
Single 3.75×2.25 Oval die
Oval die
8 ovals die
Die Cuts: Pocket Folder Dies
Standard 9″x12″ pocket folder die with 2 pockets: no business card holder
Standard 9″x12″ pocket folder die with 2 pockets: with business card holder
Standard 9″x12″ pocket folder with double pockets and business card holder on the left die
pocket folder die with two card holders in one pocket
Standard 9″x12″ pocket folder die with pocket on the left only: with business card holder
Back of landscape pocket cover die
back of portrait pocket folder die
pocket folder die with one standard pocket and one vertical pocket
9″x12″ pocket folder with 2 vertical pockets die
Pocket folder die with two vertical pockets and one business card holder
Pocket Folder die with one vertical sleeve
pocket folder die
Die Cuts: Sleeve Dies
Business card holder die
CD sleeve die
Sleeve die
Sleeve die
sleeve die
Sleeve die
Die Cuts: Sports Dies
Football die
Hockey puck die
Die Cuts: Tab Dies
5-tab die
Die Cuts: Tag and Ticket Dies
Square, rounded-corner jewelry card die
2 rectangular necklace cards die 3.25″x5.25″
6 square earring cards die
Rectangular earring cards with upper holes die cut die
Rectangular earring cards with lower holes die cut die
1″x1″ jewelry tags die
Earring holder die
Single 3″x3″ tag die with hole
3 square, rounded-corner tags die 3″x3″ with hole
Rounded-corner, square jewelry card die
Scored, rounded-corner, jewelry tags die
3 trifold square jewelry card tags with rounded corners die
6 trifold square jewelry cards with rounded corners die
Rectangular tags die
rectangular tag die with octagonal head
Tag die
tag die
Rounded-corner rectangular tag with triangular head die
6 hang tie tags die
Single hang tie tag die
Rectangular tag die with rectangular hole
Hanging car tag die
3 bottle tags die
Hanger die
10 1″x1.5″ rectangular tag dies with rounded corners and hole in bottom left corner
10 1″x3″ rectangular tag dies with rounded corners and hole in bottom left corner
4 rectangular tag dies with pointed triangular heads and hole in the top
Booklet tags die
Tag die
Ticket die
die cut ticket
Die Cuts: Triangle Dies
Single 4.2″x3.75″ triangle die
15 triangles die
Don’t see anything here you like? Ask us! We may have that die in-house. Again, this list is not comprehensive. If we don’t have the die, we can always make it!
Happy die cutting!
– Your friends at amp