Standard Steel-Rule Dies
Custom Shape Pros has more than 25 years of experience making steel-rule dies.
We take pride in making accurate, affordable dies that help our customers save time cutting shapes.
Using your design, steel rule is cut, bent and placed in a laser-cut high-density 15.9 mm Russian Birch die board. (We also use 21 mm die hard board for intricate shapes.) Then foam is added to help eject material from the die during cutting. We select the steel rule based on the material that is being cut and usually use a 2 point center bevel rule.
We specialize in .937" steel-rule dies although we are able to produce other heights based on your specifications. (Non-standard rule height will likely increase time to quote and manufacture.)
Foam Side of Die
Wood Side of Die
Rule Options
We can build to your specifications and will also use appropriate rule based on the information you provide about the material you are cutting in your quote request.
Height
Most of the dies we produce use .937" high rule although we are able to use rule of other heights.
SHARPNESS
Our standard is shaved edge rule for cutting most materials. Ground edge rule is used when making dies for cutting fabric, felt and similar materials.
STAINLESS STEEL
Medical and food industries often use corrosion-resistant stainless steel rule in acrylic dies. Stainless steel rule can be sterilized.
BEVEL
Bevel refers to the shape of the cutting edge. Most of our dies use center bevel rule for greatest cutting ability and resistance to dulling. We can also use inside or side bevel rule for photo paper, similar materials and specific requests.
THICKNESS
Our standard rule is 2 point thick. We will use 1.5 point rule for intricate designs and up to 3 point rule for cutting thicker materials.
Materials You Can Cut with a Steel-Rule Die
- Blotter paper
- Burlap
- Cardstock
- Chipboard
- Construction paper
- Contact paper
- Cork sheets
- Crepe paper
- Fabric
- Felt
- Flexible magnet
- Foil paper
- Gasket material
- Grip tape
- Leather
- Medical tape
- Moleskin
- Mylar
- Neoprene
- Paper
- Photo paper
- Plastic
- Playing cards
- Polypropylene
- Rubber
- Silicone
- Sponge
- Thin metal
- Tin foil
- Tissue paper
- Velcro
- Vinyl
- Wallpaper
- Wool
The list goes on and on! A good rule of thumb is that if a material can be cut with household scissors then it can be cut it with a steel-rule die.
Have a sample you would like us to test? Send it to:
Custom Shape Pros, 8843 S. 137th Circle, Omaha, NE 68138
Standard Die Sizes
Standard dies are available in a variety of board sizes, and we can also create custom board sizes.
Please note that shapes must remain at least 1/2" from the board edges.
Standard Die Options
Pinnovation® Dies
Now it's even easier to speed up production of preprinted materials including packaging, signs, invitations and more.
We can include a set of registration pins to hold any size of preprinted material in place on a die. When you submit a quote request, make sure to include your request for a Pinnovation die if needed.
CLEAR CUTS™ Acrylic Dies
Instead of wood, Clear Cuts dies have steel rule placed in clear acrylic dies. Use these dies when you want to accurately position a die shape over artwork, photos or text and then cut exactly where you want. This is helpful when a Pinnovation die is not compatible with your die-cutting machine or press. They are ideal for door hangers, visors, photo shapes and more.
The medical industry also benefits from using acrylic dies. Built with corrode-resistant stainless steel rule and with optional removable foam, an acrylic medical die can be cleaned and sterilized.