Using cutting dies involves a simple process with a die-cutting machine to precisely cut shapes from various materials, making it a favorite technique for crafters and designers alike.
What Are Cutting Dies?
Cutting dies are specialized tools, typically made of metal, that contain a raised blade designed to cut specific shapes when pressure is applied. Think of them as high-tech cookie cutters for paper, fabric, and other materials. They allow for consistent, intricate, and repeatable cuts that would be difficult or impossible to achieve by hand.
Essential Tool: The Die-Cutting Machine
The heart of using cutting dies is the die-cutting machine. These machines come in various sizes and models, but they all operate on the principle of applying pressure to push the die's blade through your chosen material. Most personal die-cutting machines are manual, using a crank handle, while some larger or more advanced models are electronic.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use Cutting Dies
Using cutting dies is a straightforward process once you understand the basic "sandwich" technique and how your machine operates.
1. Gather Your Materials
Before you begin, ensure you have everything ready:
- Die-cutting machine: Your chosen manual or electronic machine.
- Cutting dies: The specific shapes you want to cut.
- Material: Paper, cardstock, felt, fabric, foam, or other compatible materials.
- Cutting plates: These are clear acrylic or polycarbonate plates that come with your machine, used to create the "sandwich."
- Platform/Base plate: The foundational plate for building your sandwich (often included with the machine).
2. Prepare Your Die-Cutting Sandwich
This is the crucial step where you layer your materials. The exact order can vary slightly depending on your machine and die type, but a common configuration is:
- Platform/Base Plate: Lay this down first.
- One Cutting Plate: Place a clear cutting plate on top of the base.
- Material: Position your paper, cardstock, or other material on the cutting plate.
- Cutting Die: Place the cutting die on top of your material with the cutting edge (the raised blade) facing down towards the material. You might secure it with low-tack tape if the material tends to shift.
- Second Cutting Plate: Complete your sandwich by placing another clear cutting plate on top, encapsulating the die and material.
Simply place the die and material together, like that, between these two cutting plates.
3. Run Through the Machine
With your sandwich assembled:
- Feed into Machine: Carefully feed the assembled sandwich into the opening of your die-cutting machine.
- Apply Pressure:
- Manual Machines: Turn the crank handle. The rollers inside the machine will grip the plates and pull the sandwich through, applying even pressure to cut the material. Just run them through; it's that simple. Give the handle a few little turns until the sandwich passes completely through.
- Electronic Machines: Press the appropriate button, and the machine will automatically pull the sandwich through, applying the necessary pressure.
- Listen for the "Crunch": You'll often hear a gentle crunching sound as the die cuts through the material, which is normal.
4. Remove and Deboss (Optional)
Once the sandwich has passed through the machine:
- Remove Plates: Take the cutting plates out of the machine.
- Separate Layers: Carefully lift the top cutting plate, then remove the die.
- Reveal Your Cut: Your material should now have the precisely cut shape. Gently pop out the cut shape. If using thin paper or intricate dies, a die pick or pokey tool can help release smaller pieces or clear out negative spaces.
- Debossing: Some dies are designed to not only cut but also create a debossed (indented) effect. If your machine and die support this, you might run the sandwich through again with a different plate configuration (e.g., using a silicone mat) to enhance the debossed areas without cutting further.
Types of Cutting Dies
Understanding the different types of dies can help you choose the right tools for your projects:
- Thin Metal Dies: These are the most common type, made from etched metal. They are highly detailed and versatile, used for cutting paper, cardstock, thin felt, and some fabrics. Many also include debossing or scoring lines.
- Steel Rule Dies: Thicker and more robust, steel rule dies have sharp steel blades embedded in a foam block. They are designed for cutting thicker materials like chipboard, leather, multiple layers of fabric, and heavier felt.
- Wafer-Thin Dies: A subset of thin metal dies, often used for intricate details and delicate designs.
| Die Type | Materials Typically Cut | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Thin Metal Dies | Paper, cardstock, thin felt, vellum | Cardmaking, scrapbooking, tags |
| Steel Rule Dies | Chipboard, fabric, leather, foam, heavier felt | Boxes, bags, apparel embellishments |
Creative Applications of Cutting Dies
The versatility of cutting dies opens up a world of creative possibilities:
- Card Making: Create intricate borders, sentiments, and layered elements for handmade cards.
- Scrapbooking: Produce unique titles, photo frames, and embellishments for memory albums.
- Paper Crafting: Build 3D objects like boxes, flowers, and ornaments.
- Fabric Arts: Cut appliqué pieces for quilting, sewing, and mixed media projects.
- Home Decor: Design custom stencils, banners, and decorative elements.
- Party Supplies: Craft custom invitations, cupcake toppers, and party favors.
Tips for Success
- Read Your Machine's Manual: Always refer to your specific die-cutting machine's instructions for the correct "sandwich" order, as it can vary.
- Use the Right Plates: Ensure your cutting plates are in good condition. Heavily warped or deeply cut plates can affect your cut quality.
- Rotate Plates: To extend the life of your cutting plates and prevent excessive warping, flip and rotate them frequently.
- Clean Your Dies: After use, clean any paper fibers or material residue from your dies to maintain their sharpness.
- Experiment: Try different materials and "sandwich" configurations (e.g., adding shims for extra pressure) to find what works best for your projects.
- Secure Small Dies: Use a small piece of low-tack painter's tape or washi tape to hold smaller dies in place on your material, preventing them from shifting.
- Intricate Dies: For very intricate dies, run the sandwich through the machine multiple times (forward and backward) to ensure a clean cut, or place a piece of wax paper between the die and material for easier release.
Using cutting dies is a rewarding way to add professional finishes and intricate details to your crafts. With a little practice, you'll be creating stunning projects with ease.
