Cito's die-cutting and creasing lesson II: Importance of a good creasing system

High quality in die-cutting can only be achieved if both the used cutting die and the applied creasing matrix are of perfect quality and make a good match from the technical point of view. In the past, creasing matrices ware often made by hand i.e. a cardboard or a press- board sheet was glued onto the cutting plate and the contour of the cutting die was copied with blue carbon paper. On the basis of the creasing rules thus visible the appropriate crease channels were cut into the material by me

05 Dec 2016 | By PrintWeek India

Today, as a rule, Pre-manufactured standardised creasing systems are used on die-cutting machines. These systems by means of which the creasing matrix is created are available in a variety of designs: a further exposition of this subject will follow.

The creasing systems with the widest distribution worldwide are those featuring strip-shape. They are relatively easy to handle and ensure a high degree of accuracy. When using such a system, firstly the lengths of the strips have to be determined. Subsequently, the individual lengths are to be metered and cut to length with an appropriate cutting tool. By means of a locator, these strips are then mounted onto the creasing rule in the proper position of the cutting die. After pulling off the protective paper from the self-adhesive surface the strips can be transferred to the cutting plate by means of the machine.

The last and only thing to do is to remove the locators from the strips. The creasing matrix is 100% parallel to the used cutting-die and the die-cutting machine is ready to use. Such creasing systems can be employed in a variety of die-cutting machines, i.e. both on platen presses and rotary die-cutters. In this connection, however, it has to be mentioned that an application on rotary die-cutters is only possible with the so-called “hand-cut method”. Of course, today, creasing systems find the application on high-speed automatic die-cutting machines as well.

This technical article is courtesy Cito-System. The Germany-based firm is represented by Capital Graphic Supplies / A S Print Aids in India. For additional information contact Arun Gandhi.

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