Platen Die-Cutting – How It Works and When It's Used
Platen die-cutting is one of the most widely used methods for precisely cutting and creasing corrugated board, solid board and cardboard. It's the technique behind most boxes, laminated packaging, stands and display components before they're folded and assembled.
How Does a Platen Press Work?
In a platen press, the material - a sheet of cardboard or board - is placed between two flat plates, which is where the name "platen" comes from. One of the plates holds the die: a cutting form built from blades and creasing rules arranged in the shape of the finished package. During a single press cycle, the material is cut along its outline and creased at the fold lines at the same time, so a flat sheet becomes a ready-to-fold blank in one pass.
Standard Formats and Capabilities
We die-cut corrugated, solid board and cardboard up to a standard format of B0 (1400 x 1000 mm). As one of the few companies on the market, we're also able to cut larger formats than B0, while keeping precise registration and a high-quality cut line. That means fewer component parts are needed even for large, oversized stands and displays.
Why Platen Die-Cutting Rather Than Another Method?
Platen die-cutting is particularly well suited to jobs where precision and shape flexibility matter:
- it works well both for short prototype runs and for series production,
- it's highly versatile when it comes to cutting materials of different thicknesses,
- it's flexible with registration margins - no gripper-edge allowance needed,
- it delivers repeatable quality and precise cut-line registration, which matters for parts that join together (e.g. in multi-section stands).
Use in Packaging and POS Materials
We use platen die-cutting to manufacture boxes and laminated packaging, displays, advertising stands and other POS materials built from cardboard or board. It's the step that precedes laminating (if the package is to be finished with a printed surface) and final assembly.
Die-Cutting at Marc Sp. z o.o.
We've been die-cutting on platen presses for years, with a machine park that lets us work precisely across different formats and material thicknesses. If you need blanks for packaging, stands or POS materials - get in touch to discuss your project.
