Flat Dies

Flat die forging uses two flat-surfaced dies to compress and shape heated metal stock between them through repeated strikes or pressure, gradually forming the workpiece into a desired shape. It relies on manual or mechanical control of the workpiece position, unlike enclosed impression dies, and is common in blacksmithing and open-die forging operations.

Flatbed die cutting is a process where a flat steel-rule die is pressed against a sheet material—such as paperboard, chipboard, corrugated, or plastic—using a flatbed press to cut, score, or perforate a shape. It's widely used for packaging, cartons, labels, and promotional materials requiring precise, repeatable cuts.

A die is a specialized tool used to cut, shape, or form material into a specific design. Common types include flat steel-rule dies for sheet cutting, rotary dies for high-speed roll-fed cutting, forging dies for metal shaping, and extrusion dies for continuous profile forming. Each type is suited to different materials and production speeds.

Flat steel-rule dies can cut a wide range of substrates including text and cover weight paper, chipboard, corrugated material, plastic composites, magnetic material, and kiss-cut sticker stock. Material thickness typically ranges from .002 inches up to approximately .060–.080 inches depending on the die and press configuration.

Custom flat die lead times vary by complexity. Standard embossing dies typically take about 3 days, while foil stamp dies range from 2–3 days. In-house CAD design and CNC router construction allow for faster turnaround and on-the-fly modifications compared to outsourced die-making.

Yes, because dies are constructed in-house using CNC router technology, on-the-fly modifications and maintenance can be performed quickly without waiting on third-party die shops. This allows adjustments for design changes, wear, or new material requirements to be handled efficiently during production runs.