Die - What does die mean?

Definition of DIE:

A cutting tool used to cut material to a specific shape. Each die is custom made; it is made in the shape of the required finished shape and therefore can only be used to cut material into that particular shape.

In labelling, each label size has a custom made die; this die is mounted onto the material press and is used to cut into a continuous web to produce the individual label shapes (and sheets). Dies are usually made of steel and there are two commonly used types; an engraved die is made from a solid steel bar, while a flexible die is made of a thin sheet of steel. Flexible die are cheaper than engraved die but engraved die can be re-sharpened; this means that when a flexible die gets worn down it must be replaced, making them best suited to short-run applications to improve the service life of a single die.

Here is the Harvard-style citation to use if you would like to reference this definition of the word die:
Label Planet (2020) What does die mean? | Die Definition. Available at: https://www.labelplanet.co.uk/glossary/die/ (Accessed: January 1, 2024).