How do laser cutters compare to die cutters?
Laser cutting machines have numerous advantages compared to tool-based die cutters, mostly deriving from their absence of tools. There are no costs for tools and no production delays for time to make tools. Laser cutting machines are digital systems, meaning they can import vector-based digital images into operating software. In fact, the better laser cutting machines one can now find allow you to import images and set up jobs in just a few minutes, and then go from artwork to completed job runs in just a few hours, or even less for short runs. Because there are no tools in laser cutting machines, it also means that you bypass many of the mechanical limitations inherent in dies that can be difficult to manage in label applications. Laser cutting systems can readily handle special features such as perforations, creases, score lines, kiss cuts etc. The only relevant physical limitation in laser cutting machines is the width of the laser beam, typically 210 microns in best-in-class system
