Die cutting help

There’s some info either in the archives here or on the letpress listserv archives, from what I remember.

Not a super complicated process. Get in touch with a local die-maker to help you design the die, make sure the cutting rule is .918”. If you want to crease as well they can help with that.

You need a die cutting jacket to protect your platen, advice here would depend on the kind of press you have.

After that, it’s similar to printing but you have to be extremely careful. You build backing up behind your jacket until you start to contact your stock with the cutting rule. At that point, in very small increments, with very small packing, you need to increase packing until any one part of your die starts to cut. That part of the die cannot be put under any more pressure or it will really wear the bearings of your press.

If your platen is adjusted correctly and you are cutting a fairly small die, the die should, in theory, start to kiss-cut your stock pretty evenly with whole sheets of packing used under the jacket, however that’s usually not the case, especially with asymmetrical dies. Once you’ve got the die cutting through in any one place, you’ll need to build up an underlay under the jacket to get all other areas of the die cutting cleanly. Just remember that letterpresses are much more delicate than clamshell die-cutters and it’s extremely important not to stress them to much—any marks cutting into your jacket and you have too much pressure.

http://s599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/sepress/die%20cutting%20basics/
some simple pics of die cutting. there are 2 different projects here. the black sheet is carbon paper used to make an image of the die. makeready tape is then stuck to light areas.
http://www.barplate.com/tape-products/makeready-tape.aspx

Thanks, is there a way to make die cut blocks at home if you have the proper equipment?

Ian:

You can certainly make simple dies yourself, but if they involve bent rules, you would be wise to have a die made by a professional die shop until you have a chance to hone your skills. Many single cavity dies can be purchased for well under $75.00 from many sources, and if simple, the price will be less.

operative words being “proper equipment” wait till you see what these hand benders with dies cost. there is a simple rule cutter on ebay for 600. then you will need the jig saw with drill. you will need a notcher. then a point cutter, (this is a special rule cutter that leaves an angled point to lay in perfectly with the beveled edge of an adjoing rule. then buy the board with ejection rubber.
i recently got a quote of 36 bucks for both a standard and a rounded corner biz card die. just to give you a price comparison. dies from a shop are so cheap now and delivery is FAST. its not really worth it to do your own any more.

i see what your saying. can you provide me with a few places to get die cuts made? thanks

where are you.

contact: john fischer…414-431-1953. [email protected]
reference to me, Eric