Flatbed steel rule dies for label machines and platen presses

Barcode die, barcode cutting rule, flatbed die: what each name means

The die that cuts barcode and product labels goes by several names. Most describe the same tool; some describe one part of it. What matters in an order is the rule height, the press and the label layout rather than the name.

We do not print barcode labels or sell label presses or finished labels. Our work is the steel rule die that cuts them.

• Barcode die, barcode label die: the complete die, with steel rules and ejection rubber set in the base, that cuts every barcode label in one stroke.
• Barcode cutting rule: the steel strip in the die; ours is 12 mm high and 1.5 pt (about 0.53 mm) thick.
• 12 mm rule: the rule height, called “12’lik” in Turkish workshops; the 12 is not a label count.
• Flatbed die: the die mounted in the flatbed die-cutting unit of a roll-fed label press or in a platen, as opposed to a rotary die.

Which machines do these dies fit?

We build each die for the machine that will cut the labels. The same barcode label needs a different die size, mounting layout and rule height in the flatbed unit of a roll-fed press than on a sheet-fed platen.

In the flatbed die-cutting unit of a roll-fed press, the web stops while the die cuts and advances one step between strokes; the die area, web width and step set the size of the die. On sheet presses the die is built to the sheet size and the die seat of the press. We do not make rotary dies, flexible dies for magnetic cylinders or label machines, and we do not print labels.

• The flatbed die-cutting unit of roll-fed label presses
• Platen and clamshell sheet presses
• Automatic flatbed sheet die cutters

Choosing an 8, 12 or 23.8 mm rule height

The die seat of the machine and the closing height of its die-cutting unit set the rule height. Flatbed units on roll-fed label presses mostly run 8 or 12 mm rule; platen and clamshell sheet presses mostly run the standard 23.8 mm rule.

If you are not sure, measure the rule height and base thickness of a die that already runs on the machine, or send it to us, and we will build the new die to the same dimensions. Our 12 mm barcode cutting rule is 1.5 pt thick and can have a titanium-coated edge where the job needs it. The guide to rule thickness and height explains the difference, and the barcode cutting rule article covers the 12 mm rule.

Lanes, step and gaps in a barcode label die

In a die for the flatbed unit of a roll-fed press, the way the labels sit on the web shapes the die as much as the label size does. One stroke cuts every lane across the web and the labels in one step along it, so the number of labels in a die is the number of lanes multiplied by the labels per step.

Where gaps are left between labels and lanes, they become the waste matrix stripped after cutting; the narrower the gap, the thinner the matrix. Because every position is repeated from one master label, each position has the same size and corner radius in the drawing. A barcode die for a sheet press follows the same logic with the sheet size and edge margins, as explained in layout and waste in sheet-fed label dies.

• Label size and corner radius
• Web width and edge margins
• Number of lanes and gap between lanes
• Gap between labels along the web and the step
• Label orientation on the web

Plywood or acrylic base?

Our standard base is plywood. On request we seat the same rules in an acrylic (plexiglass) base. State the base you need, together with how the die mounts on your machine, when you order.

Kiss cut, holes and perforation

On labels cut in the flatbed unit of a roll-fed press, the rule usually cuts the face stock and leaves the liner intact; this is a kiss cut. The same die can also carry through-cuts, holes or perforation lines. Mark what each line does on a separate layer of the dieline file.

• Kiss cut to the liner
• Through-cut
• Perforation and tear lines
• Holes and windows

Rule and rubber for the label material

Barcode labels mostly come as thermal paper, coated paper, PP or PET face stock on a glassine or PET liner. The same die behaves differently on each: the surface of thermal paper is sensitive to heat and rubbing, and because a PET liner is usually thinner than glassine, the depth window for a kiss cut narrows. Rule edge, rubber placement and density are therefore chosen for the material.

For film labels, abrasive surfaces or heavy adhesive, which wear the edge sooner, the 12 mm barcode cutting rule can be ordered with a titanium-coated edge; the coating is not a life or tolerance guarantee. Material choice is covered in the guide to paper, thermal and film labels.

• Direct thermal and thermal transfer labels
• Coated and matt paper labels
• PP and PET film labels
• Glassine and PET liners

Common cutting problems with barcode dies

The cut from a barcode die comes from the die, the material and the press setting working together. Marking the position where a fault repeats quickly shows whether the cause is in the die or the press. Detailed checks are in preventing liner cutting and position-specific cutting faults.

• Liner cut through: the rule goes too deep into the liner; press setting, make-ready plate and liner type are checked together.
• Labels do not release: the rule does not fully separate the face stock; setting, rule height and material thickness are reviewed.
• Waste matrix breaks: the gap between labels may be narrow or the corner radius sharp; gap and radius are reconsidered.
• One position cuts differently: marking that position and checking the rule there, the make-ready plate and pressure balance narrows the cause.

For converters who order barcode dies regularly

Barcode and product label jobs usually come back with the same dimensions. If you need a copy of a die made by another die maker, send the die itself or a well-cut label; rule height, base thickness, outer size and lane layout are taken from it.

If you cut the same barcode label on different presses, each press needs its own die size; give the press model and web width for each die on a separate line. For renewing worn rules and rubber on an existing die, see cutting die repair and refurbishment; for sheet labels and stickers, see label cutting dies.

• Standard-size label dies are produced within 4–18 hours, urgent jobs within 2–6 hours; the exact lead time is confirmed once the file is seen
• A repeat of the same die from an archived drawing takes 2–4 hours; the order number or the size of the previous die is enough
• Shipping options: same-day motorbike courier within Istanbul and next-day express cargo across Turkey
• On request, a photo of the finished die is shared via WhatsApp before shipment

What to send for a quote

For a die used in the flatbed unit of a roll-fed press, the way the labels sit across and along the web shapes the die as much as the label size does. Send the details below in one message; the label converter order guide helps with the file and the label die cost factors article explains the price items.

• Machine type and model, die area and mounting layout
• Rule height (8, 12 or 23.8 mm) or the dimensions of an old die
• Label size, corner radius and gap between labels
• Web width, number of lanes and gap between lanes
• Kiss cut, through-cut, holes or perforation
• Face stock and liner
• Plywood or acrylic base
• Vector file (PDF, AI, DXF), sample or existing die
• Quantity, repeat work and the delivery date you need