Flatbed & Steel Rule Die Cutting Services

Custom Flatbed Die Cutting Services

AMD Converting & Label provides precision flatbed die cutting and steel rule die cutting services for cutting, creasing, embossing, waste stripping, and blank separation across a wide range of sheet materials. Flatbed die cutting is one of the most adaptable die cutting methods, making it an excellent choice for gaskets, labels, insulation, and other custom die cut parts. Whatever custom shape you need, we can make it happen.

Tell us your custom needs.

What Is Flatbed Die Cutting?

Flatbed die cutting, also known as steel rule or platen-press die cutting, uses a press to push a steel rule cutting die down into the material and against a solid, flat bed. Each stroke produces a single shape or multiple nested shapes before the die lifts and resets. Because the die cuts perpendicular to the material, flatbed die cutting delivers clean, consistent edges with minimal deformation, and the simple tooling keeps costs low compared to rotary dies.

Flatbed Die Cutting Features & Benefits

What flatbed die cutting lacks in raw speed, it makes up for in adaptability. Key benefits of our flatbed and steel rule die cutting include:

• Lower tooling costs than rotary die cutting
• Multi-part nesting for efficient material use
• Larger part sizes — up to 4 ft x 4 ft
• Steel rule die and punch press capability
• Clean, perpendicular cuts with smooth edges
• Well suited to short run and small-batch production

Flatbed Cutting Methods

Our flatbed die cutting supports several cutting methods depending on your part and material:

• Die-cut: the die cuts completely through the material and any liner, fully separating each part from the surrounding web.
• Butt-cut: parts are cut edge-to-edge with no gap between them, maximizing material use across the sheet.
• Kiss-cut: the steel rule blade cuts through the material and adhesive but not the liner backing, leaving parts on the liner for easy removal — ideal for adhesive-backed parts.
• Sheet: material is processed and delivered in flat sheets rather than rolls, suited to larger or rigid parts.

Steel Rule Die Cutting for Gaskets, Labels & Insulation

Flatbed die cutting is ideal for parts made from foams, fabrics, felts, films, foils, papers, plastics, and pressure-sensitive materials. Our flatbed press handles materials from 0.002″ to 0.5″ thick in sizes up to 4 ft x 4 ft, holding tolerances of +/- 0.008″. See the specifications table below for our full list of materials, formats, and industry focus.

Flatbed vs Rotary Die Cutting

The primary difference between rotary die cutting and flatbed die cutting is that flatbed is not as fast. This makes it well suited to smaller production runs, where it isn’t as easy to absorb the added cost of a rotary die. For high-volume work, rotary is usually the better fit; for short runs, lower tooling costs, thicker materials, and larger parts, flatbed is often the smarter choice.

For more information on our flatbed die cutting capabilities and specifications, see the table below.

If you are ready to start working together, call us at (262) 513-8600 or request a quote through this form.