Design tips for Custom-Cut products

All of the Custom-cut products on our website start with the basis that the ‘starting’ size is one of the standard sizes we have on the website. For example, greeting cards are based on the finished size template of A6, A5, 148mm x 148mm etc, swing tags are based on 85 x 55mm or 65 x 65mm.

Let’s take an example of the simplest type of custom-cut design – a swing tag

We have a range of simple shaped swing-tags on our website already – circular, bubble-top and luggage style, but our custom-cut tags give you the opportunity to create your own shaped tags that 100% suit your requirements and come with bags of unique visual appeal.

In terms of incorporating the custom-cut design all we need from you is a keyline in a different colour, or a dashed line, to indicate where the custom-cut is to be made. This could be that part of the tag is custom-cut, or the tag is completely custom-cut, as per the examples below. Custom-cuts can be used to create outlined edges or apertures within the tag.

Part Integrated Tag - the pink keyline shows the where the custom-cut is to be made	And ends up looking like this!	Fully Custom-Cut Tag - the pink keyline shows the tree is to be fully trimmed	And the result is this lovely tree	Aperture cut - outline where the cut is to be made	And then share the Love

Custom-cut Greeting Cards

Greeting cards are a little trickier as we are dealing with a folded product, giving you additional design options. Things to consider are whether the card is to fully shaped so that the face and reverse of the card are symmetrical, of if the card is the be shaped on the face only. Some examples of this are below.

Example of the keyline for a face only custom-cut greeting card	A face only custom-cut card shown as the flat sheet	And finally, a finished face only custom-cut  greeting card	Example of the keyline for a fully shaped, symetrical card	A symetrical custom-cut greeting card shown as the flat sheet	And finally an example of a finished symetrical custom-cut card

A consideration for portrait greeting cards is that they should have a flat edge at the foot or they may not stand up.

Go Bespoke!

If it’s made of paper, we can custom-cut it. From invitations, to flyers, packaging or marketing and promotion items we can help you achieve the perfect product. Simply get in touch with us and we will be happy to help.

Top tips

• For cards with a portrait orientation try to keep the bottom edge flat to enable the card to stand up.
• We recommend leaving at least half of the spine un-cut to give the card stability
• Drill holes in tags will be our standard 4mm hole – we recommend positioning them at least 8-10mm from the trimmed edge
• In terms of the die-cutting, curves are king; some very jagged edges with no much space between the 'spikes', such as grass or hair, do not perform as well.

Custom-cut products can be tricky in terms of design, particularly in creating a keyline to indicate where the cut is to be made.  But help is at hand! There is an option to request artwork assistance for the keyline when ordering your cards online and we will work with you to ensure you get the cards exactly as you want.

As always, we are here on hand to help with any questions or queries you might have. Give us a call on 01903 742003 and we will be happy to help.