Colvin-friedmancompany

Die Cutting Capabilities

High-Volume Precision Die Cutting for OEMs and Manufacturers

Colvin Friedman manufactures custom die-cut components with tight tolerances at production scale. We’ve delivered millions of parts since 1946, specializing in thin-gauge film and sheet plastics for clients who need consistent quality across thousands of units.

Our U.S.-based facility handles projects from prototype through full production, with an average lead time of 3 weeks and a capacity of 40,000 units per hour.

Or call Josh at (707) 769-4488

Two Die-Cutting Methods, One Goal:
Precision at Scale

We use rotary and flatbed die cutting depending on your material, volume, and specifications. Both methods deliver tight tolerances and repeatable accuracy across production runs.

Specification Rotary Die Cutting Flatbed Die Cutting
Best For High-speed, high-volume production Thicker materials, larger formats
Maximum Width 16 inches 40 inches
Maximum Thickness 0.015 inches 0.5 inches
Tolerance ±0.005 inches ±0.010 inches
Production Speed Up to 40,000 units/hour 2,000-4,000 parts/hour
Lead Time 3 weeks 3 weeks
Tooling Cost $500-$2,000 $100-$500

Can’t find your specifications? Call Josh at (707) 769-4488. If we can’t manufacture it, we’ll connect you with someone who can.

Rotary Die Cutting:
Built for Volume

Rotary die cutting runs continuously on servo-driven and line-driven presses, cutting precise shapes at speeds up to 40,000 units per hour. This method handles films, tapes, foils, and flexible laminates up to 16 inches wide.

When to use rotary die cutting
  • You need 10,000+ units
  • Material thickness is under 0.015 inches
  • Tolerances must stay within ±0.005 inches
  • Production speed matters for your timeline
What we can do with rotary die cutting
  • Small-scale and narrow-gauge lamination
  • Kiss cutting and metal-to-metal cutting
  • In-register cutting for multi-layer materials
  • Roll-to-roll processing with narrow web slitting

Or call Josh at (707) 769-4488

Flatbed Die Cutting:
Power for Thick Materials

Flatbed die cutting uses high-tonnage presses to cut materials up to 40 inches wide and 0.5 inches thick. This method handles rigid plastics, dense foams, composites, and certain metals that rotary presses cannot process.

When to use flatbed die cutting
  • Material thickness exceeds 0.015 inches
  • You need parts wider than 16 inches
  • Material is rigid or semi-rigid
  • Complex geometries require precision registration
What we can do with flatbed die cutting
  • Automated sheet-fed processing
  • Tight-tolerance kiss cutting on thick materials
  • Large format cutting up to 40 inches
  • Hot stamping and automated part collection

Or call Josh at (707) 769-4488

Materials We Cut

We specialize in thin-gauge films and sheet plastics, with capabilities extending to foams, tapes, metals, and rubbers.

Plastics

PET, polycarbonate, polyester, vinyl, acrylic, PETG

Foams

Polyurethane, EVA, polyethylene, neoprene, closed-cell and open-cell foams

Tapes

Single-sided and double-sided adhesive tapes, transfer tapes, foam tapes

Metals

Thin-gauge aluminum, copper, stainless steel foils

Rubbers

EPDM, silicone, neoprene, natural rubber

Specialty Films

Fire-rated films, RFID-blocking materials, thermal insulators, medical-grade films

Material selection affects your tolerance, die type, and cutting method. We help you choose the right substrate during consultation.

Or call Josh at (707) 769-4488

How We Take Your Project from
Design to Delivery

01

Stage 1: Consultation and Design

We review your specifications, including material, tolerances, volume, and timeline. If you haven’t selected a material, we recommend options based on your application requirements.

We produce prototypes using your design and material specifications, allowing you to verify dimensions and test functionality before production tooling begins.

02

Stage 2: Testing and Refinement

Our quality team performs statistical tolerance testing and dimensional verification on prototypes. We use CPK and PPK metrics to validate that our process can meet your specifications consistently.

Based on test results and your feedback, we refine the design and tooling. Final approval moves your project into production setup.

03

Stage 3: Production and Scaling

We fabricate dies, configure machinery, and run small-scale production to verify system performance. Once validated, we scale to full volume while maintaining quality control through statistical sampling on every order.

Why OEMs and Manufacturers
Choose Colvin Friedman

Direct Access to Decision-Makers

Talk directly to Josh, our Vice President, throughout your project. No account manager layers.

Tight Tolerances at Scale

We hold ±0.005-inch tolerances on high-volume production runs. Our quality management system and experienced operators deliver near-zero rework rates.

Fast, Predictable Lead Times

U.S.-based manufacturing with 3-week average lead times keeps your supply chain moving.

Supply Chain Integration

We integrate with your production schedule through stocking programs, JIT delivery, and same-day shipping for blanket purchase orders. You never run out of stock.

75+ Years of
High-Volume Production

We've completed tens of thousands of production runs with zero recorded quality rejections.

Why Work with Colvin Friedman

While we provide custom quality die cutting for a wide range of applications, we specialize in thin gauge film and sheet plastics. This is a specialty that demands precision and expert handling, and we have both the equipment and skilled technicians to do so. Over the years, we have completed tens of thousands of production runs, and we have done so with nearly no reworks due to our ability to minimize waste and maximize efficiency.

At all times, you have a direct line to Josh, our Vice President. He maintains constant communication with you regarding your order status and ensures any questions you have are addressed promptly.

Packaging and Stocking
Services

Packaging

We package your products in retail-ready formats before shipping to distribution centers. Options include blister packs, shrink wrapping, corrugated boxes, and custom printed packaging.

Stocking

We integrate with your inventory system for storage and stock-level monitoring. Our stocking programs include Kanban, JIT, and end-to-end solutions with same-day shipping on blanket orders.

Additional Capabilities

We offer several value-added services to ensure our organization is a “one-stop shop” for your business. We have developed these services over the years to make managing the supply chain easier for our customers. If you are looking for an additional capability beyond what you see below, we may be able to accommodate. Feel free to reach out below!

frequently asked questions

What die-cutting method is best for my project?

Rotary die cutting works best for high-volume runs of thin materials (under 0.015 inches) up to 16 inches wide. Flatbed die cutting handles thicker materials (up to 0.5 inches) and larger formats (up to 40 inches wide).

Rotary die cutting holds ±0.005 inches. Flatbed die cutting typically holds ±0.010 inches. Actual tolerances depend on material properties and part geometry.

Yes. We manufacture everything from prototypes through millions of units, scaling our approach to your volume needs while maintaining quality.

Our Quality Management System uses statistical sampling on inbound materials, work in process, and finished goods. CPK and PPK metrics verify process capability on every order.

Average lead time is 3 weeks from design approval. Tooling takes 1 to 2 weeks, depending on die complexity.

Yes. We integrate with your inventory system and offer Kanban, JIT, and end-to-end stocking programs with same-day shipping on blanket purchase orders.

Material limits depend on substrate properties. Contact Josh at (707) 769-4488 to discuss your requirements. If we cannot accommodate your project, we’ll refer you to a qualified partner.

We handle projects from prototypes through millions of units. Minimum quantities depend on tooling costs and setup requirements. Contact us to discuss your specific needs.