MAKING READY A STEEL CUTTING DIE FOR ADVERTISING
NOVELTIES, ETC.
This refers to a steel cutting die to be used only for cut-outs, such as fans, inserts for set-up boxes, fancy calendars, wall pockets, photo mounts, leather goods, etc. All of this kind of work can be cut out on a standard cutting and creasing press, or on a cylinder press, from dies made of steel cutting rule. As mentioned before, a die of this character does not contain any creasing rules, and is set in grooves sawed in laminated board.
The make-ready for a cutting die is altogether different than the make-ready on a cutting and creasing form. The make-ready is very simple. No counter-die, or “female die,” is required. The cutting rules merely strike the bare surface of the platen plate.
If desired, a sheet of chip-board, news-board or straw-board may be glued to the surface of the platen plate, but this is not necessary. The main thing is to have the impression even, and of just the right strength to make a clean, sharp cut of the stock.
The form is corked in the same manner as a form for cutting and creasing.
Guides and fenders are glued to pieces of heavy Manila paper which first have been glued to the surface of the platen plate. The Manila paper is used merely for holding the guides and fenders firmly.
In the case of the stock falling apart on the form, after the impression has been made, file a few small slots at various points on the edges of the steel cutting rules. Use a three-edge file for this purpose. The slots break certain places of the cutting rules, and thereby prevent the stock from falling apart until it reaches the stripping department. The small slots do not mar the finished work.
Rough edges of cut-outs, such as fans, odd shapes, advertising novelties, etc., are easily smoothed by taking small piles of the cut-outs and rubbing the edges with emery paper or sand paper.