| What does it mean when printing companies say | | | | expanding will not create a problem but the |
| they need to get a die made? There are multiple | | | | magnesium die due to the magnesium will actually |
| types of dies used for different processes. | | | | expand a great deal and can cause fit problems if |
| There are engraving dies. These are made of | | | | you have tight register to another part of the |
| steel and copper. The process wipes ink across | | | | printed piece. |
| the die and then the paper is hit with that die | | | | There are foil stamping dies. These are made of |
| injecting the ink into the paper. These dies last a | | | | the same materials as the embossing die. A flat |
| long time and can be used multiple times. This is | | | | foil stamping die will not have a counter die. That |
| usually for fine type with serifs. | | | | is where the foil is flat on the sheet or no raised |
| There are embossing dies. These are usually | | | | image. The combination die (embossing & foil |
| made of brass or copper but sometimes | | | | stamping) has a counter and is made of brass |
| magnesium on the low end. The brass or copper | | | | usually. The foil is transferred via heat and |
| are good for multiple uses and can have multi | | | | pressure on both processes but with a |
| levels to give great detail. The edges can be | | | | combination stamp it is also raised at the same |
| beveled to achieve the maximum depth allowed | | | | time to the level of the paper. |
| by the paper. These are the dies that artistic or 2 | | | | A steel rule die is not like any of the above |
| dimensional effects are created on. The | | | | mentioned dies. It is used to diecut or cut the |
| magnesium die is primarily made for short runs | | | | paper in whatever shape the die is made in. Within |
| and will not stand up to wear and tear real well. | | | | the steel rule die, you have a cutting rule where |
| You can only achieve one level in magnesium. All | | | | the metal is sharp enough to cut through the |
| embossing dies require a counter die that fits into | | | | paper when pressure is applied and you have |
| the die as a mirror image. These two dies actually | | | | scoring rules which have rounded edges and are |
| squeeze the paper fibers between them and give | | | | made to crease the paper so it folds accurately |
| the raised image. An interesting note is while | | | | and crisply. |
| embossing many times you apply heat to iron the | | | | All of these types of dies are done in house at |
| paper texture. The brass and copper while | | | | The Odee Company. |