On our channels we often discuss about die-cutting…but what are “die-cuts”?

We talk about of die-cut adhesive when we refer to a product (single or double-sided adhesive) cut in to a specific size, based on customer's design.

A die-cut double-sided adhesive can have many characteristics, most of which can be combined with each other. For these reasons it is, sometimes, very complex for the customer to be able to define the finished product he needs and, on our side, to present the solution we can propose.
 
Let's see together some "specific words" that can facilitate communication between BMP technicians and all potential buyers.
 

KISS-CUT (ON ROLL OR CARD) & BLANK-CUT
 
A die-cut is defined as kiss-cut when it is cut to size (and supplied) positioned on a carrier (silicone paper or plastic film, in general) from which it can be easily detached.
 
The carrier can be a continuous roll, on which all the pieces are wrapped, or a card, on which there can be one or more pieces.
 

A die-cut blank, on the other hand, is nothing more than a single piece. Cut pieces cannot be supplied in rolls but only in small bags, boxes or other special packaging ... in short, they are what, in everyday life, we would call "single pieces". (image)
 

TAB & CONTINUOUS LINER
 
Removing the protective liner from a double-sided adhesive can be a difficult undertaking, even impossible for those who work with gloved hands.

The solution? Tabs, protruding liners, continuous liners and so on and so forth.
The tab is a part of the liner (which exceeds material) that helps the removal of the liner itself. We can define "tab" or "protruding liner" the part of the piece consisting of the liner alone (without adhesive).
The tab can be integrated into the die-cut (i.e. obtained from the liner of the piece) or made separately and applied to the liner directly by the customer, in this case we talk about tabbing tape.

The continuous liner is a variant of the tab that consists of a single non-shaped liner that completely covers the pieces. This type of solution is requested by the end customer when the application of the die-cut double-sided tape is done using a template or with automated processes for which it is necessary to have the adhesive tape already peeled off and ready for use.
 

PRE-CUT, CRACK LINES & DOWEL HOLES
 
We talk about pre-cut of the liner when it is engraved in order to facilitate its removal, just like the common stickers that we all know.
 
The crack line, generally performed on the paper, is a pre-engraving made to give the end user the possibility of separating the pieces supplied on a roll. This technique is used when the customer needs pieces on cards but it is not possible to supply them directly in this format. The reasons, generally, are to be found in the type of material, in the shape of the die-cut, in the packing and in the transport: producing the blank cut pieces, i.e. single or in cards, exposes them to possible damage both during packing and during shipping. Some types of adhesives, for example, cannot  be supplied loose in boxes because they would reach the customer damaged (glued together, crushed, deformed).
 

The dowel holes are slots that are obtained on the support material, during die-cutting, to allow the application of the die-cut using templates or automated processes. The card is fixed on a support equipped with pins that fit into the holes blocking the piece and allowing the operator to position the detail directly on the shaped double-sided tape.
 

These were some useful tips for classifying most of the BMP die-cut.
Stay tuned for more details!
 

BMP Team