Diecutters

A diecutter is a machine used to cut shapes from sheet materials such as paper, cardboard, leather, or fabric by means of a cutting die. The die, often paired with a counter or anvil, is driven by a press to shear the material along the defined outline. Diecutters are used in both craft contexts and industrial production to produce consistent shapes at scale.

Types include manual bench-top die cutters, which require operator effort (lever or crank action); flat-bed or platen presses used in small factories; and high-speed industrial die-cutting equipment that can run continuously. Rotary die-cutting machines use a rotating die on a web or reel to cut shapes in moving material, suitable for packaging and labeling. Dies commonly used include steel-rule dies, built from bent steel to form the cutting outline, and flexible dies, which use softer materials for light-duty cutting.

Operation involves selecting a die, setting in the press, and feeding the material between a cutting surface and the counter. Through-cutting produces shapes that are fully separated; kiss-cutting cuts through the top layer while leaving other layers intact. Some machines also perform creasing to fold lines without cutting the paper.

Materials and applications: paper and cardstock for packaging parts, greeting cards, and scrapbook embellishments; cardboard and corrugated for packaging materials; leather, fabric, and foam in prototyping and product manufacture; and labels or tags in consumer goods. The choice of machine, die type, and processing speed depends on material thickness, required tolerances, and production volume.

Safety and maintenance: operators should guard moving parts and blades; dies require regular inspection for wear, and blades or cutting rules should be replaced or repaired as needed. Regular cleaning and lubrication extend equipment life.