About Die-Cut Show-Through
This greeting card demonstrates the creative impact of die-cut windows in print design. The word "CLASSY" is physically cut through the front cover, creating a window that reveals the vibrant orange swirl pattern printed on the interior panel. This technique transforms the familiar phrase "Greeting Cards Keep it CLASSY" into an interactive reveal moment.
Die-cut show-through adds depth and intrigue to printed pieces. When the card is closed, the interior color peeks through the letter shapes, creating visual interest. As the recipient opens the card, the full interior pattern is revealed, completing the experience.
This 8.5" x 5.5" flat card folds to a standard 4.25" x 5.5" greeting card size. The precision die-cutting creates clean edges around each letter, ensuring the show-through effect is crisp and professional.
The cutting is done on our flatbed digital die cutter, which cuts custom shapes from almost any substrate we offer without the need to make a traditional die. It can cut all the way through the sheet or kiss-cut partway, and it scores as well as cuts, which is how we make flat and folded cards, stickers, and custom packaging.
Why a Die-Cut Window?
Printing can show the word "CLASSY". Cutting it out turns the word into a window. The letters get their color from the panel behind them instead of from ink, so the front and the interior are no longer two separate designs. They are one design that only comes together when the card is folded. Opening the card becomes part of reading it.
We cut it digitally for a practical reason. Traditional die cutting needs a custom die made for each shape, while digital die cutting works straight from the die line in your file. That makes a custom shape like this lettered window quick and economical to produce.
Best Practices
Design Considerations
- Design for the reveal: Plan what shows through the die-cut windows. High-contrast interior patterns create the most dramatic effect.
- Letter sizing: Die-cut letters should be large enough to show through clearly. Small or thin letters may be difficult to cut cleanly.
- Interior registration: Align interior artwork so the most interesting part shows through the die-cut windows.
- Paper selection: Heavier stocks (100# and up) work best for die-cutting as they maintain their shape better than lighter papers.
File Setup Essentials
-
Separate the die line: In Illustrator or InDesign, make two layers. Name
the first
CMYKand place your artwork on it; name the secondDie Cutand place only the die line there. - Color the lines correctly: Set cut lines to 100% Magenta and score lines to 100% Cyan. Both should be 0.5 points thick.
- Extend artwork for bleed: If the artwork should run right to a cut edge, extend it at least 0.0625" past the die line.
- Keep the die layer clean: Use no clipping masks on the die line layer, make the die line a stroke rather than a fill, and remove everything else from that layer, artwork included. Any extra information on the layer stops the die line from working.
- Mind the sheet size: The largest print area we can die cut is 16.5" x 11.5".