For a business ordering its first cutting die the best start is a brief clear enough that the die maker does not have to ask questions one by one. When file, material, quantity and end use are given correctly from the start the price is realistic, production risk falls and the first quote usually settles in a single conversation.

Dimensions and product shape are settled

The die drawing gives the outer dimensions, inner cut-outs, corner radii and reference points plainly. Sending a 1:1 PDF, AI or DXF instead of an undimensioned screenshot visibly shortens the quote; where there is no file, the product itself or an old box sample is a sufficient starting point for taking dimensions.

Cut, crease and perforation lines should come in separate colours or layers; if they are all the same black line the workshop has to guess which line folds. Any old sample or photo is added to the file: an image that shows the shape is understood faster than pages of description.

  • Outer and critical inner dimensions are written in millimetres.
  • Cut, crease and perforation lines are given in separate colours.
  • An old sample, the product or a dimensioned photo is added where available.

Material information sets price and rule choice

The same drawing calls for different die decisions on carton, corrugated, label stock, PVC, leather or gasket sheet: rule height, thickness, edge form and rubbering are chosen for the material. Without thickness, grammage and surface behaviour the right rule and crease balance cannot be set; “board” is not enough, grammage and any coating are written down.

Lamination, film, varnish or an adhesive layer changes the cutting behaviour; these are stated on the order. For a new material, the product code or an uncut sample sheet lets the rule and rubber be chosen correctly from the start.

  • Material type and grammage or thickness are written together on the order.
  • Lamination, varnish or adhesive information is added.
  • For a new material, the product code or a sample sheet is added.

Quantity and delivery target change the plan

A single sample, a short run and volume production do not follow the same preparation logic: on high volume, rule durability, rubbering and machine fit come first; on a single sample, speed and dimension control. When the expected quantity and the likelihood of repeats are stated the workshop builds the die for them and the price reflects the real job.

The delivery expectation is written as a date and time; the adjective “urgent” is not enough to plan with. Knowing the approver from the start lets the drawing be approved the same day; every approval left waiting is added to the delivery date as it is.

  • The quantity range and the likelihood of repeat orders are shared.
  • The delivery expectation is stated as a date and time.
  • The approver and how to reach them are settled.

What is checked together before the quote

When cut quality, repeatability, waste rate and machine fit matter for the job, the drawing, sample and production conditions are assessed together before the quote. If the machine the die will run on is known, the board size and clamping arrangement are cut to it; if not, a dimensioned photo of an old die does the same job.

Any critical tolerance is marked on the drawing and the first part is checked against those dimensions. If the product is going into volume production, verification is done on a sample; the approved sample and file number end the discussion on every later order before it starts.

  • Critical tolerances are marked on the drawing and dimension control is agreed up front.
  • The machine model or a dimensioned photo of the old die is shared.
  • Sample approval and the file number are recorded before the production run.

Quote details we clarify together

When the file, material, quantity and deadline are clear, the quote conversation moves faster and with less back-and-forth.

  • Current revision file
  • Material and quantity details
  • Critical dimensions or production notes
  • Deadline expectation and delivery preference