There are many methods and gimmicks used in the printing business to produce one-of-a-kind, distinctive goods. You may choose custom, contour, customized with boundary, or halo cut choices on numerous custom signs if you wish to stray from the typical rectangular or square sign form. These options let you shape your sign any way you choose.
You, the client, are free to choose the shape that represents your sign. Options for sign shapes with most any die cut sign company include:
- Round Corners
- Square or Rectangle
- Circle or Oval
- Bordered
- Customized
Contents
A Contour Cut That Is Custom
Using an individual cut allows you to create signs that are precisely cut to a desired form or along a design’s edge.
This cut is made with a digital blade or router, which produces a precise cut along the outermost portion of your design that is occasionally designated as a contour cut. To make certain that your design has been removed to the precise edge of your design, your sign is going to be printed before being cut.
Virtually any form or pattern may be created with custom cuts; the only restriction is the fact that any cut portions of your sign must measure at least 14″ wide. The integrity of this sign construction would be affected if it were trimmed smaller. For making signs without an excessive border or backdrop, the individual or contour shape choice is ideal.
A Customized Halo Cut with Border
The custom plus border option will result in cutting around the borders of your design, much as the personalized shape alternative, which slices to the shape or exact perimeter of your sign.
The band of material that is left surrounding the margins of the sign distinguishes this cut from a bespoke or contour cut. This border creates a sort of “bubble effect” around the perimeter of your sign. The customized border option effectively includes an outer border surrounding your cut-to-shape sign.
A sign’s strength is increased when it has borders, especially if it has complicated patterns.
If your design includes smaller-than-1/4-inch-wide regions, and you want the sign to be cut to shape, selecting a custom with an outer border will offer a comparable cut to shape result with the extra material needed to keep the sign without breaking.
Dash Cut
Contrary to popular belief, die cutting and contour or bespoke shape cutting are two very separate cutting techniques. A machine that produces a cut will not give you the required results if you are searching for a personalized cut. This is the main difference between dying and contour cutting, and there is usually a difference in pricing as well.
Using a tool like a cookie cutter to create precise shapes in a material is a good analogy for the die cutting process. Die cutting employs an aluminum stenciled (die) pattern that is placed into an element to punch through shapes and designs similar to how a cookie cutter works.
Consider a hole puncher that is similar to the one used to cut holes in paper, but on a much bigger size and with far more intricate designs that can penetrate much stiffer and heavier materials than paper.
The only flat substrates that can be used in this method are paper, thin metallic materials, and plastics since the die is forced through the material. Due to its ability to cut exactly the same thing from a form quickly and frequently, die cutting is frequently employed on assignments requiring a large number of pieces. Paper is a soft material that could not function as well as tougher materials because when a punch is forced through it, it could cause the paper to bend or rip.
Die cut items enable a distinctive presentation with ornamental flare. When utilized, this cut creates a window or see-through appearance. The printing industry frequently utilizes this cutting technique to create beautiful envelopes, letterhead, vinyl labels, and leather goods. Die cutting is an ornamental method that works well for smaller tasks.
Typically, elements of signs intended for commercial and residential usage do not have to be cut out of the material’s center. As a result, a lot of sign companies do not at this time provide cutting with a die as a choice. Industrial printers have occasionally used laser cutting to accomplish the same goal as die cutting.
Cutting the Final Design
Depending on your choices for design, you may decide which sort of cut is appropriate for your sign. If your sign has rich design aspects, bespoke with borders may be preferable to reduce extra material without compromising the sign’s durability. To create a neat, streamlined sign, use the custom design option to cut simple motifs and shapes.
