How to use dies: the cutting sandwich explained
What a die is, how to build the sandwich in your machine and how to get clean cuts first time.
A die is a metal template with a cutting edge that slices paper (and sometimes thin card) as it passes through a die-cutting machine. No power needed: the rollers do the work. The secret is not force, but the order of the plates —the sandwich— and the weight of the paper.
Supplies
- Die-cutting machine (Big Shot, Sizzix, Spellbinders…) — Cutting Mats
- Cutting plates for your machine brand
- Metal die — Dies
- Cardstock of 200 to 250 gsm — Cardstock
Step by step
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Identify the plates
Each machine uses a specific set: usually a thick base, a cutting plate and sometimes a finishing plate. Always use the ones for your model; mixing brands changes the pressure and can damage the rollers.
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Build the basic sandwich
From the bottom up: base plate → cardstock → die with the cutting edge facing the paper → cutting plate. The edge faces the material you want to cut, never the plate.
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Centre the die on the paper
Leave at least 5 mm of margin around the die. If the edge reaches the paper edge, the piece comes out incomplete or jams.
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Run the machine in one go
Turn the handle at a steady pace without stopping halfway. Stopping and restarting leaves marks and half-cuts.
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Remove the piece carefully
Lift the die off the paper. If the piece sticks inside the die, push it from behind with a plastic tool or your fingers, never a craft knife: you will nick the cutting edge.
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Keep the negative
The hole left in the paper (the negative) is useful too: masking, windows or layers. Do not bin it straight away.
Practical tips
- If the die does not cut all the way through, add a kitchen paper sheet or a thin shim between the plates. Do not force extra plates: you will damage the machine.
- Fine dies (filigree, small letters) cut better in 160 to 200 gsm cardstock. 300 gsm jams them.
- Mark the correct side of each plate with a permanent marker: “top” and “bottom”. It saves guessing every time.
FAQ
Can I cut cardstock foam with paper dies?
Some will, but it shortens the life of the edge. Start with cardstock and keep foam for dies made for thicker materials.
Do dies from one brand work in another machine?
Yes, metal dies are universal. What is not interchangeable are the sandwich plates.
Related products
A few products from the shop to practise what this tutorial covers:
19-10-2026
