Colvin Friedman has been in the die-cutting business for over 75 years and is one of the oldest and most experienced providers in the United States. With every project, we emphasize quality and accuracy, taking a personal approach to every product and component we cut. We are known for our precision die cutting and have thousands of satisfied customers.
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Providing die-cutting services for the better part of a century, our team here at Colvin Friedman has perfected our die cutting process through decades of experience to cut as accurately and as consistently as possible.
Having worked with clients in a number of different industries, we know that certain products have no room for error. We have precision-cut thousands of designs for our clients. Our expertise includes the production of:
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If you would like to confirm whether or not your project can be flatbed die cut, feel free to contact our Vice President, Josh Rodman, for more information. If you are interested in using Colvin Friedman as your new flatbed die-cutting provider and would like information about our pricing, Josh can provide you with all the relevant details.
Or call Josh at (707) 769-4488
Precision die cutting is required when your product has tight tolerances, is produced from difficult to process materials or requires precise processes due to an intricate design. Some products that often require precision die-cutting are compiled in the table below.
Aerospace
Consumer Electronics
Industrial Filtration
Medical
Electronics
Packaging
Average Lead Time
Seals and Gaskets
Touch Screen Components, Screen Protectors
System Components
Durable Medical Goods
Insulators & RFID Shielding
Protective Packaging
Internal Battery Components
Additionally, the density, thickness, and other qualities of a product’s material will also affect how well it can be die cut. Listed below are some materials most commonly used in precision die cutting.
Plastics
Metal Foils
Paper Products
Textiles
Composite Materials
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
ABS
High & Low Density Polyethylene (HDPE/LDPE)
Polypropylene (PP)
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
Aluminum Foil
Copper Foil
Specialty Paper
Cardboard
Cardstock
Polyester
Nylon
Wovens and nonwovens
Fiberglass
Carbon Fiber
Not all materials behave the same under pressure, and in precision die cutting, the wrong material selection can introduce tolerance challenges, tool wear, or adhesion problems downstream.
Not all materials behave the same under pressure, and in precision die cutting, the wrong material selection can introduce tolerance challenges, tool wear, or adhesion problems downstream.
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We have the expertise and machinery to complete a wide range of precision die-cutting projects. We are generally able to cut products that fit within the specifications below. When precision is paramount, we often recommend rotary die-cutting, as it can often reach a higher tolerance level than other techniques. If we are unable to cut your product, we will help refer you to someone who can.
Maximum Product Width
Maximum Product Thickness
Tolerance Level
Maximum Production Capacity
Die Construction
16 inches, we can slit down larger jumbos
.015 inches, however, there is flexibility with different materials
Can get down to ±0.005 inches
40,000 units/hour (size dependent)
3 weeks
40 inches
.5 inches, material dependent
±0.010, material dependent
2,000 – 4,000 parts/hour (size dependent)
3 weeks
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Colvin-Friedman has spent decades refining its internal practices to deliver parts that stay within spec—through prototyping, scale-up, and long production runs. Precision begins before the press even moves.
We pre-condition raw materials to stabilize them before cutting. For pressure-sensitive adhesives, thin films, and open-cell foams, this helps offset environmental factors like temperature and humidity that could otherwise cause expansion, contraction, or shape memory effects.
Each job is mapped with inspection checkpoints tied to critical dimensions, not just general pass/fail checks. Flatbed and rotary lines both incorporate in-process verification to ensure precision holds throughout the run.
We don’t wait for defects to appear. Tool wear is tracked against part volume, material type, and die complexity. Our teams make fine adjustments to pressure, blade clearance, or timing based on live observations, not post-run scrap rates.
Our press operators bring decades of experience and are trained to spot subtle indicators of tolerance drift that automation can miss. They understand not just the numbers but how a part should behave when it's cut correctly.
Precision isn’t just a specification, it’s the result of controlled processes and focused attention, start to finish.
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Planning and Pre-Production
Die Construction
Die Construction
High Quality Materials
In Depth Client Consultation
Testing and Adjustments
CAD
Experienced Die Makers
Quality Steel for Dies
Milling and Heat Treatment
Produce Test Products
Precise Calibrations
Sample Tests
Optimized Systems
Continual QMS
Source best materials available for premium components
Specify tolerance and finishing requirements especially for more intricate cuts
Test and adjust die design if necessary for peak precision
Utilize Computer Assisted Design (CAD) software to precisely design die
Dies are created with high grade steel for clean cuts and maximum durability
Help ensure sharp and durable edges for the die
Machines are automatically set to client’s specific requirements
Integrated to ensure dimensions and tolerances remain up to standard throughout production
Use SCADA and PLC systems to enhance and automate the cutting process
Statistical techniques and modern measuring instruments employed to verify all product quality targets are maintained throughout the production process.
Our production process is precisely designed to ensure that your product is cut with the greatest quality and accuracy and that every single unit produced performs its function perfectly. The diagram below outlines our process for ensuring that your product completely fulfills your company’s needs.
01
We begin every consultation by thoroughly going through your design specifications and determining the end requirements for your product. We determine the die-cutting technique, material, and finishing that will allow us to cut your product as reliably and precisely as possible. We will then create a prototype, if none has been created yet. After approving the final design, we create our dies, which are constructed by some of the top die makers in the world. Following this, we develop a number of test products to ensure the design’s quality and precision.
02
Before beginning production, we rigorously evaluate the test products, checking for their overall dimension, fit and function, and tolerance levels to verify they will fulfill their end use requirements. If a product does not meet the desired standard of precision, we will assist in adjusting the design to ensure the most precise and efficient cutting process. Customers are invited to test the product themselves and provide design feedback. Our expert team is able to produce multiple iterations of the product to confirm its quality, functionality, and that we produce a consistently precise cut.
03
Even once the first article approval process is complete, we assess the product with our full QMS (quality management system) throughout production to guarantee it will function at the highest level of quality. At this point, the machines are equipped to fulfill your order and we proceed with the full balance of your production run.
One of the most overlooked factors in precision die cutting isn’t material or tooling but the part drawing itself. At Colvin-Friedman, we often work with clients upstream to identify design elements that may create challenges during production or unnecessarily increase cost.
Here are a few examples:
Clients don’t always need to rethink their design. But the ones who loop us in early tend to avoid late-stage surprises, cut their tooling iterations in half, and get to market faster with a more stable part.
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