Are you new to card making or papercrafting and wondering how to use a die cutting machine? This article will explain what a die-cut machine is and how to get the most out of it.
The way the cutting plates are assembled varies depending on the machine, but you will always receive instructions from the machine's manufacturer.
The sandwich is made up of the cutting plates, the paper to be cut, and the die to be used. If you see sandwich guidelines to use with your machine, it has nothing to do with sandwiches - these are instructions for using your machine to cut dies.
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What is a die?
To get the most out of your die-cutting machine's main function, you'll need to create a set of dies for the various shapes you want to cut.
Die shapes in the modern era are typically thin metal shapes with a raised outline on one side. This is the die's cutting edge, but it isn't particularly sharp, so you don't have to worry about damaging your die-cut machine
Some dies are sold in groups, with a small strip of metal separating the individual shapes. Before using your die-cut machine, separate the dies by snipping through the thin metal strips with wire cutters or kitchen scissors.
How to use a die cutting machine
You sandwich the die inside your die-cutting plate, with the raised edge facing the paper or card you want to cut. You then run this sandwich through the rollers of your die cutting machine.
Many machines have a manual handle that can be turned to move the sandwich between the rollers. The pressure exerted by the rollers forces the cutting edge of the die through the paper or card as the sandwich moves between the rollers, resulting in a nice, clean die-cut shape from your die-cut machine.
Older dies are much thicker than modern dies, and the die's metal cutting edge is hidden away inside a foam backing. These cutting edges can be very sharp, so take care not to push too hard on the foam. You can still use these dies if you have a die cutting machine designed to work with thicker dies, but they will not work with most papercraft die-cutting machines. The great thing about these vintage dies is that they can cut through much thicker materials than paper and card, such as cork, felt, and fabric.
