Choosing a cutting rule for paper, thermal, PP and PET labels

Coated paper looks simple but the construction still matters

Coated label paper is common in printed and custom-shape work. Grammage information gains meaning when read with adhesive coat, liner stiffness, varnish and lamination, because each layer changes resistance at the rule.

An uncut production sample shows how the facestock, adhesive and liner behave together. In a kiss cut, the rule cuts the facestock and adhesive layer while leaving the release liner functional.

Match direct thermal labels to the actual production condition

Direct thermal facestock is widely used for barcode and logistics labels that receive variable information later. The actual facestock and liner help shape the cutting decision, while print performance remains within the material and printing specification.

A thermal label brief states dimensions, corner shape, sheet direction and cut type. The converter defines the safe area for variable print, and the die follows the approved contour.

Read stretch and corner geometry in PP and PET films

PP and PET label films behave differently from paper. Film can flex, transparent edges can reveal defects more clearly, and tight concave turns can make waste removal harder. A film label die follows its own layer construction.

Continuous, manufacturable contours support clean cutting. The appropriate radius comes from the actual film, adhesive, liner and shape sample.

Lamination and adhesive change cutting behaviour

A laminated paper label and its unlaminated version can have different total thickness and cutting resistance. Adhesive can move at the edge when pressure is excessive, so the review includes the complete material and production setup.

Add laminate type, varnish and adhesive grade to the brief, or provide an actual sample. Press pressure, cutting surface and die height work together as parts of the production setting.

Review the existing die when the material changes

Compare the previous facestock, liner and cut type with the new job. A meaningful difference brings the rule and ejection approach back into review, even when the contour stays the same.

• Coated paper, thermal, PP, PET or other facestock
• Adhesive and liner grade or an actual sample
• Lamination, varnish and other top layers
• Kiss cut or through cut requirement
• Label dimensions, corner geometry and sheet direction
• Previous material record when an existing die is proposed