Welcome to “Label Basics,” a column dedicated to helping our customers better understand the process that is label converting. We hope that by sharing our knowledge of printing and converting with you, the customer, that it will make your label buying experience a pleasant and satisfying one.
In this column, we will discuss the various types of dies, how they are made, and what their specific functions are.
BY DEFINITION:
Die: In the Flexographic industry, a die refers to the metal tool that is used to convert or cut the pressure sensitive label construction into various shapes and sizes.
A die begins its life as a round steel cylinder and by means of special computer controlled machinery and is engraved with the shape of the finished label. A person performs the final sharpening of most of these dies through a microscope and special hand tools.
Most dies fall into one of five categories: rcr, butt cut, ovals, circles, and special shapes.
The two most requested dies are Round Corner Rectangle and Buttcut.
Round Corner Rectangle
This die is usually a rectangle but can be square and have four rounded corners.
It is designed to cut only through the face of the label material to the liner.
(Label material consists of the face stock, a layer of adhesive, and a liner.)
This type of die is normally used in automatically applied, high-speed label applications.
Most any product that is purchased nowadays has an auto-applied label that identifies the product. These labels contain nutrition facts, content information, instructions for use, warnings, dose requirements, and of course, a barcode for purchase and checkout.
Buttcut
This type of die differs from the Round Corner Rectangle in that it does not cut out a complete label.
It cuts across the web so that the edge of one label is butted up to the edge of the next label on the liner. The corners are always square and there is no liner visible on the edges. These labels are usually for short run jobs and can only be applied by hand.
This is the most economical die for a customer to purchase because there is less engraving for the die maker when the die is being created.
Ovals and Circles
These two types of dies are actually just variations on the round corner rectangle.
Instead of corners and straight sides all sides are rounded.
These dies produce labels that can be both automatically and hand-applied.
Special Shapes
This type of die is also a variation of the round corner rectangle. For example, there may be more than four corners or shapes cut within shapes such as circles in rectangles or triangles in circles. Animal or object outlines like a car, a teapot, a shoe, flames, horses, dogs, or fish.
These dies are the most expensive due to the intricate engraving that is involved and there are some limitations. When ordering a special shape die, a die line has to be sent to the die maker for evaluation and special pricing.
•See Die Lists
•Label Copy Position Chart
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