Professional die cutting on a platen press
We die-cut printed materials and box blanks to a high standard on a platen press, for a wide range of products and gifts
Die cutting gives printed products the exact shape you need. It is also used for perforating and creasing
Die cutting is done on a platen press: specialist production equipment fitted with ready-made dies that carry the blades that cut the shapes from the material.
It works by pressure: two metal plates are pressed together, one carrying the die and the other holding the material.
During die cutting, parts of the future box are cut out along their outline, internal cut-outs and notches are made, custom shapes are cut, and perforations and fold lines are added by creasing. This is how tags, price tags and leaflets are cut, and how rigid boxes are made with exact dimensions and consistent parts across the whole run.
You can choose press die cutting for the components of every box style we make.
Platen die cutting is used to prepare the material for round boxes, drawer boxes, lid and base boxes, collapsible boxes and other box styles.
Our die-cut projects
Here are projects we have die-cut on our platen press, so you can see the results for yourself and order this service for your boxes or other products
Why work with us
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Benefit 1
Our production facility has professional equipment for high-quality platen die cutting
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Benefit 2
We die-cut a wide range of products: boxes, greeting cards, tags, folders, price tags and more
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Benefit 3
We offer a wide range of high-quality materials
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Benefit 4
We deliver within the agreed lead times
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Benefit 5
We give professional advice, in whatever format suits you, on materials, box sizes for your products and any other questions about designing and making your boxes
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Free consultation
Have anyAsk us on WhatsApp
questions?
Frequently asked questions about platen die cutting
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What materials can be die-cut on a platen press?
Platen die cutting works with paper, board and corrugated board in various thicknesses up to 3 mm. This includes many types of paper, speciality board, greyboard, laminated material made from two types of paper and more. We also die-cut plastic, leather and leatherette.
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Do I need a die made in advance?
Our range includes many ready-made dies for different products. If you use one of these, you only pay for the products. If you need a custom product, however, a matching die has to be made in advance, and its cost is added to your quote. The die is reusable, so you save on repeat orders because you do not pay for it again.
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Can platen die cutting be used to make boxes?
Platen die cutting produces uniform, clean shapes that are ideal for assembling boxes. Boxes made from die-cut parts have exact dimensions and a neat, well-proportioned look, which is why the technique is widely used to make boxes of all shapes and sizes.
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What are the stages of making boxes with a platen press?
First, we define all the specifications of your product: materials, design and dimensions. We discuss all of this during a consultation. Next, we select the board and carry out any preparation needed, such as wrapping or printing. Then we prepare a die to the required dimensions and die-cut the agreed number of box blanks on the platen press. The final stage is assembly, gluing and packing the boxes for delivery.
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Can platen die cutting be combined with other finishes, such as printing or embossing?
Yes, die cutting works with all our other services. The material can be printed in your chosen colour or design first and then die-cut. Or we can die-cut the blanks first and then add gold foil stamping. We will discuss all the options with you to find the best design solution for your boxes.
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Can a platen press be used for creasing?
Yes, a platen press uses sharp knives to cut the material and blunt rules to crease fold lines. Cuts can be made along the outline, as perforations, notches or internal cut-outs.
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What is the minimum and maximum order quantity for die-cut boxes from Boxes?
You can order boxes from us in any quantity from 100 boxes. The platen press can die-cut large numbers of identical pieces.
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What does the cost of die cutting depend on?
Several factors affect the cost of platen die cutting, including the complexity of the die, the size of the cut area, the material you choose and any additional finishing. On large runs, the cost per piece goes down because the total production costs are spread over more units.
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How platen die cutting helps make durable boxes and other printed products
Platen die cutting is a print finishing technique that cuts a set shape out of sheet material. The shape is pressed out with a die fitted with knives. Under pressure, the material is cut in the right places, forming the finished printed product or a component for assembling a box. Boxes offers professional die cutting and a wide range of ready-made dies and materials.
How does a platen press work?
Die cutting is done on a platen press, a machine with two metal plates:
- a fixed plate that holds the die;
- a moving plate that holds the material.
The moving plate is pressed against the plate with the die, cutting the shape out of the paper. Edges and the finest details are cut cleanly, and fold lines are creased into the blank at the same time.
The process involves:
- Preparing the die: the knives are set in a specific pattern to cut out the required shape.
- Placing the material. This can be paper, board or corrugated board from 0.3 to 3 mm thick, as well as plastic, leather, leatherette or self-adhesive paper.
- Cutting. The two plates close and the knives cut through the material under pressure.
After cutting, the waste around the shape is removed, leaving a clean shape with crisp edges.
What products can be die-cut?
Platen die cutting is used to make:
- price tags, labels and tags;
- business cards;
- greeting cards;
- folders and hang tags;
- jigsaw puzzles and other custom shapes.
It is also used to make boxes and the components for assembling them.
Boxes can produce whatever shapes you need. Die-cut shapes can be cut along the outline and include notches, internal cut-outs of various shapes and sizes, creasing and perforation. You can choose from our large range of dies, or we can make a custom die to your specification.
Key benefits of platen die cutting
Platen die cutting has many benefits:
- it can give your printed product any shape you want;
- it creates neat, precise shapes;
- it achieves fine detail, thin lines, notches and cut-outs exactly as designed;
- it can cut any quantity of printed products;
- it lowers costs on large runs, because the die is reusable;
- it handles dense materials that are hard to cut by hand.
Thanks to its flexibility, the technique can create a wide variety of shapes within a die area of 480 × 680 mm.
It cuts finished products in one go, or components for assembling boxes of any shape and specification. Precise blanks make assembly easier and better, so the boxes look neat. The platen press lets us create very strong branded boxes.
You can order die-cut boxes or die cutting for other printed products from Boxes. Our specialists handle the job professionally: they select the right materials, advise you and carry out every stage.
We work with clients across the EU and deliver finished orders by the most convenient delivery method.