Die Cut Vinyl Decals: Why You Should Consider This Option

So you need vinyl decals produced. You’ll quickly discover the two main options: die cut vinyl decals and kiss cut vinyl decals. Conversion Technologies International has opinions about which process is superior to the other—and we’re about to dig in.

What’s better—kiss cut, or die cut?

Before providing an answer, we do need to make one thing clear: technically, it depends. While we may recommend die cutting more often than kiss cutting, it isn’t perfect for every project. You need to learn about both processes and assess your needs before selecting one—and with that in mind, you’re on the right track!

When die cutting, we use a special blade (the die) to cut through every layer of material. This, crucially, includes the backing. The kiss cut process is shallower. It cuts through the top layer only, leaving the backing as is. This means you’re more limited in terms of the shapes and designs possible.

Die cut vinyl decals tend to be more unique than kiss cut vinyl decals. The flexibility of the die cutting process enables us to get more creative. We can tailor the shapes in a way that isn’t attainable with kiss cutting. Die cutting is cleaner and more precise, and we can apply it not only to vinyl but materials like cardstock and paper. The main drawback of die cutting, however, is that it’s more expensive. While that expense is worth it for some projects, for others it’s less so.

Kiss cutting is effective for more limited, generic designs. Because it leaves the main backing intact, it corresponds more to sticker sheets versus complex decal designs. The products are easy to peel, and you can repurposes that extra backing space for branding opportunities. It does tend to be cheaper. This method just doesn’t give you as many options as other processes.

At the end of the day, you should consider both die cutting and kiss cutting carefully before making a final decision. From there, you can explore contract manufacturing services.

Should I buy my own die cutting machine?

Theoretically, you could purchase your own die cutting machine. Some business owners choose to do this rather than outsourcing to a third party manufacturer. But there’s a reason why many others don’t—several, in fact.

While it may look as if you’re paying less when investing in an industrial die cutter, this isn’t necessarily the case. Keep in mind that you don’t only have to pay for the machine. You’ll also need to purchase the materials, of course, and pay employees to operate the machine. Even if you choose to operate it yourself, you’ll still need to consider training and other operational expenses. If you wish to manufacture die cut vinyl decals on a larger scale, you may need to invest in more permanent facilities as well.

Additionally, you can lose money on the trial and error required to operate your own die cutting equipment. Don’t assume that you’ll get the results you want the first time around. Even if you’ve used a die cutting machine before, if you haven’t used one for large scale business purposes, you’ll likely need some practice. A small mistake can ruin an entire production run. A ruined run equals wasted product—and in turn, wasted money. This is much less likely to happen when you work with an experienced third party manufacturer. For these reasons, among others, it can be a better idea to outsource.

Which companies provide die cut vinyl decals?

If you need die cut vinyl decals and don’t wish to handle the process in-house, you’ll typically work with a third party manufacturer. These manufacturers will offer contract manufacturing or toll manufacturing (or both).

Contract manufacturing is a “beginning to end” process. You make an agreement with a third party, like CTI, which will entail the entire production of your order. While you’ll know exactly how the process works and can consult with the manufacturer to varying degrees, ultimately it’s our job to process and deliver your order. You can be a bit more hands-off if you’d like, and you’ll still get the product you need, to the standards you and your manufacturer agreed upon.

Toll manufacturing works similarly, with one key difference. That difference is that you as the client provide the raw materials. While on paper this may seem to defeat the point of working with a manufacturer, remember that the manufacturer otherwise handles every other aspect of the process. If you as a business owner have a preferred provider of the materials in question, you might select toll manufacturing instead. Whether it’s a quality issue or a matter of saving money, this option ensures that flexibility.

When choosing a company, make sure you not only read reviews and testimonials, but consult with the company itself. A responsible manufacturer welcomes vetting, and will answer whatever questions you may have.

Taking the next steps

Speaking of vetting—why not call CTI at 419-924-5566 to take the first steps? Otherwise, please feel free to contact us here. It’s not just about seeing whether or not we’re the right fit for your project. It’s also about answering your questions! Let’s begin today.