Die cutting is the most efficient method of decal cutting, as it is the fastest and the cheapest process. To carry out this process successfully, you will need to acquire adequate knowledge of the process and relevant equipment such as decal cutters and decal slitters.

If you wish to be a decal die cutting service provider or die cut decal machines manufacturer, you will need to understand the fundamentals of the die cutting process and operation of decal cutting machines. If you are in the business of commercial decal die cutting, you need to keep your knowledge up-to-date to stay ahead of the competition.

To educate yourself and/or your workforce about the die cutting process and decal cutting machine technology, you can:

1. Browse through various resources that provide basic information about die cut decal machines and the application of decals
2. Enroll in educational courses at recognized institutions
3. Join association for professionals in tooling, machining and die-cutting

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand the fundamentals of decal cutting machines and application of decals

If you have very little exposure to the process of decal die cutting and the application methods of decals, you can learn the basics by browsing through different resources such as data publishing websites.

I recommend: You can read through the elementary information about decal cutting machines at an informative website by Geno Jezek, a researcher in the field of decal die cutting and the owner of The Advertising Store, a leading advertising firm. In addition, you can learn about the application of decals at SG Petch, a company that deals in used cars and cars on lease.

Join die cutting courses that provide information about the decal cutting process

Knowledge of the die cutting process is very important to carry out the process of decal cutting smoothly. You can join educational courses in die cutting and use that knowledge for your decal cutting business.

I recommend: Print Services & Distribution Association (PSDA)'s Print University offers a course in die-cutting, foil stamping and embossing. In addition, Tooling University of Cleveland, Ohio, offers a course in die cutting that covers detailed knowledge about the die cutting process and the related processes such as deformation process, fracture process and stripping process.

Join associations to update your knowledge about decal cutting

Associations for professionals in the field of die cutting, tooling and machining provide a platform to communicate and interact with other professionals. You can keep your knowledge up-to-date by joining these associations. As die cutting is an efficient process for decal cutting, these updates can be very useful for your decal cutting processes.

I recommend: International Special Tooling and Machining Association (ISTMA) is an international association that caters to the global special tooling and machining industry. In addition, you can join International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking (IADD), another international association for the professionals in the die cutting and die making business.

Use commercial decal die cutting services to make the most of your company logo. Whether your logo appears on refrigerator magnets, window signs or car decals, it plays an important part in your business. A good logo will capture a customers attention and draw them to your business. Include a web address and phone number on your decals to make it easy for consumers to contact you.

Many companies that offer decal die cutting services can help you design your logo as well as cutting it and help with application. Die cut decals can be solid in color or have screen printing on them. Purchasing a decal cutting machine is a great option for companies that will be mass producing decals to put on goods or those with a consistent output of decals used for advertising purposes.

1. Find out what decal die cutting services are offered.

2. Decide whether you will design the logo yourself or pay someone to design it for you.

3. Purchase decal cutting machines to bring your decal cutting in house.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for a company that offers multiple services along with decal cutting

These companies offer many services beyond commercial decal die cutting. Look to these companies when you are looking for die cutting only, or a variety of services.

I recommend: Working with Custom Graphx for all-around service. They offer design services, decal cutting and application of die cut logos. Sticker Shox offers design and up to four color process printing.

Design a logo or hire someone from the decal cutting company to create it

Look for a commercial decal die cutting company that has good design software that will allow you to custom design your logo. Some companies also offer specialists that can design the logo for you.

I recommend: Spectra Industries Inc., has an in-house design team that will work with you to custom the design your logo and has commercial decal die cutting services. Look to Decals Central for decal die cutting services where you design the decal yourself. The professionals at Decals Central can assist you with creating your design or do all the designing for you.

Purchase a decal cutting machine and take care of your labels in-house

Decal cutting machines are as widely varied in price as they are in size and function. Low cost machines work well for small simple jobs. Look to the professional machines when your decal cutting volume will be heavy.

I recommend: Find die cut decal machines with varying sizes and functions at Bren. Look to the Power-Pro Cutters for larger decal cutting or the Pro-Series for smaller jobs. Bren also offers also a large array of stencil and sign supplies to use with the cutters. Choose Tech Soft when you are looking for a more simple, low cost decal cutting machine.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When working with large volume, it is not necessarily cost-effective to bring the design and die decal cutting in-house. You may find that outsourcing this portion of your business is more cost-effective, especially if the die cutting machines will not be used for other business needs.

Decal die cutting is the easiest way of cutting decals. Innovations in the die cutting process and die cutting equipment have made it possible for high quality die cutting of decals.

If you want to be a decal die cutting service provider, you will need to understand various technical terms relating to decal die cutting. In this guide, we will cover key terms related to decal die cutting, such as steel rule dies, kiss cutting, thermal die cut and plotter cutter.

Action Steps
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Steel rule dies

A steel rule die consists of a base material that is made of wood, steel or aluminum and a steel rule that is shaped to the design to be cut. This die is used to cut out a pattern on any non-metallic material.

I recommend: For more information about the steel rule die, read through description at Mag-Knight.

Kiss cutting

Kiss cutting is the process of die cutting soft materials without cutting the liners or adhesive bases. This way the sticker (or the adhesive base) can be peeled off later without the liner. Generally, automotive stickers and decals are manufactured by this method.

I recommend: Diecrafters (PDF), a die-cutting service provider, explains the technique for the kiss cutting process. The Rep Connection, a reputable printing, design and photography service provider, also offers information about the kiss cutting process.

Thermal die cutting

Thermal die cutting is the process of die cutting using a magnesium die. The die is heated to a certain temperature and then the logotype, text or image etched on the magnesium die is stamped on to the vinyl.

I recommend: For more information on thermal die cutting, you can read through a description at Dilco Industrial. You can also browse through the website of Label source, a reputable printing company.

Plotter cutter (also known as vinyl sign cutter)

A plotter cutter is an electronic device that accurately cuts off various designs (or texts) from materials to be used as masks, dies or resists for various operations.

I recommend: To learn more about plotter cutters, browse through an informative website by the University of Alberta.

Hot stamping

Hot stamping is a printing process that uses a heated die to stamp images or designs to the destination substrate.

I recommend: You can read through the definition of this term at TSSI Systems Ltd.

Foil stamping

Foil stamping is the process of pressing a heated die on a sheet of foil. This foil is then released from the die and pressed against a paper (or other substrate material) to create a foil design.

I recommend: Read through the definition of foil stamping at Purdue University.