Revising the die as soon as a cut appears shifted can make the wrong cause permanent. First determine whether the displacement repeats in one direction and amount, or varies across sheets. This check is part of the file assessment for the related production service.
Separate constant shift from variation
A repeatable shift in the same direction can point to artwork-dieline reference, die placement or a fixed register setting. If the shift changes sheet to sheet, print position, sheet dimensions, moisture or feeding behaviour become stronger candidates.
Compare four references together
Place the approved artwork PDF, production dieline, full printed sheet and cut blank in the same orientation. If reference corner, gripper allowance, sheet size and marks do not agree, measuring the product contour alone is insufficient.
Verify die geometry independently
Measure the cutting contour on an unprinted test sheet. If critical rule distances match the drawing, moving the die to compensate for a file or print issue creates a new error on the next run. Isolate the source before changing one variable.
Keep a record of the proof
Retain the first sheet, corrected sheet and approved sheet. Record press setting, reference used and observed displacement on the job ticket. A repeat run can then start from verified evidence rather than a fresh diagnosis.
Application note
Send two complete printed sheets, a cut sample and the final files so the source of the shift can be separated.
- Use the real production substrate and final file revision.
- Correct one variable at a time.
- Keep the approved sample with the job record.
