{"id":27787,"date":"2021-06-03T19:02:19","date_gmt":"2021-06-03T19:02:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/suprefreshprod.wpengine.com\/\/?page_id=27787"},"modified":"2025-09-25T10:01:53","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T15:01:53","slug":"digital-die-cutting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/specialty-features\/digital-die-cutting","title":{"rendered":"Digital Die Cutting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Online printing with Smartpress is synonymous with high-quality materials, expert service and eco-friendly business practices. Included in that? Premium digital die cutting on our large format products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re creating projects like wall decals<\/a> and car magnets<\/a> and die cutting is one design option you don\u2019t want to miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is Digital Die Cutting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So what do we mean when we say large format digital die cutting? It\u2019s a process where a blade or router bit cuts large sheets of digital media into finished pieces on an industrial plotting machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, it cuts your project into any size and shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For our online printing services, we primarily use a Zund digital die-cutting system to finish your product to perfection. Thanks to its Swiss engineering, the Zund executes with precision and speed. Other machines simply can\u2019t match the functionality, quality or available tooling options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Die-cut<\/figure>\n\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
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Digital Die Cutting: Any Shape, Any Size, Any Time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With this premium feature, we\u2019re not talking just simple circles, ovals or rectangles. Think any shape specific to your business or industry: abstract logos, wine bottles, food shapes for grocers, instrument shapes for school programs, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smartpress Tip:<\/em><\/strong> As you\u2019re designing your projects, remember that the smaller your dimensions and detail, the more the die cutting quality decreases. For example, cutting finite detail inside a 1\u201d x 1\u201d square may be challenging depending on the thickness of the material and the level of detail required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
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How Does Digital Die Cutting Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No matter what your project is, this feature produces the shape you need. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Digital Die Cutting Process in 4 steps:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  1. A digital file of the cut paths and cut methods is prepared and sent to a server where it is called forward by one of our Zund operators.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The file includes all directions and cut layers for each of the cutting methods specific to your job.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. The file also includes a register layer to orient the sheet placement on the cutting bed to the cutting beam and toolheads.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Our operator uses a camera to locate the registration marks printed around the perimeter of the art and the cutting begins.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
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    Die Cutting vs. Laser Cutting: What\u2019s the Difference?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Digital die cutting and digital laser cutting<\/a> are such similar terms, it\u2019s easy to get them confused. The simplest way to differentiate them is by the cutting process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As we mentioned above, die cutting is for our large format products and uses the Zund\u2019s knife or router to cut them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Laser cutting is for our small format products (business cards<\/a>, brochures<\/a>, cards<\/a>, etc.) and features a MotionCutter laser digital die-cutting system. Here, the laser cuts paper stocks<\/a> and other thin, flat materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Three<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Laser Cutting Pros<\/h3>\n\n\n\n