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Equipment & Technology

Technical breakdowns of die cutting machinery, tooling, and press technology.
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Technical breakdowns of die cutting machinery, tooling, and press technology.
Equipment & Technology
Hot Stamping Equipment 101: A Guide to the Kensol-Franklin Line
What hot stamping presses do, how the Kensol-Franklin product line is structured, and what to look for when evaluating equipment
Equipment & Technology
What Is a Widemouth Clamshell and Who Needs One?
Understanding the Widemouth configuration, what it enables, and how to decide if it belongs in your operation
Equipment & Technology
Understanding Crest Tonnage: What the Numbers Mean
A plain-language guide to cutting force, tonnage requirements, and how to match press spec to production reality

Industry Insights

Trends, best practices, and perspectives on die cutting and converting operations from DCA team.
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Trends, best practices, and perspectives on die cutting and converting operations from DCA team.
Industry Insights
Buying Used vs. New: What the Clamshell Press Market Actually Looks Like
The reality of used clamshell press availability, what to expect from each path, and how to think through the decision
Industry Insights
Why Die Cutting Expertise Is Disappearing, and What It Costs Your Operation
The skilled-trades gap in packaging and converting is real, accelerating, and more manageable than most operations realize
Industry Insights
The Hidden Cost of an Undersized Press
Why the wrong press for your work costs more than the right one ever would

Application Guides

Practical guidance on materials, substrates, and cutting applications.
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Practical guidance on materials, substrates, and cutting applications.
Application Guides
Precision Measurement in Die Cutting: When and Why to Use Gauging Systems
Understanding the role of measurement technology in quality control for die cutting and converting operations
Application Guides
How to Spec a Clamshell Press for Rigid Box Production
The key variables that determine press fit for luxury and rigid box die cutting, and how to evaluate them before you commit
Application Guides
Running Soft Cut on Challenging Substrates: A Field Guide
Pad selection, setup considerations, and substrate-specific guidance for the Soft Cut System

Videos

See Crest presses and die cutting processes in action, from machine demonstrations to operator tips.
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See Crest presses and die cutting processes in action, from machine demonstrations to operator tips.
Videos
Crest Large Clamshell Platen Press — In Operation
A compilation of Crest Large clamshell platen presses running across multiple production facilities — built for high-volume, large-format die cutting with the fast setup the Crest line is known for.
Videos
Crest Small Clamshell Platen Press — In Operation
A compilation of Crest Small clamshell platen presses running across multiple production environments — fast changeover, consistent cutting force, and minimal footprint in action.
Videos
Crest Medium Clamshell Platen Press — In Operation
A compilation of Crest Medium clamshell platen presses in operation — see how this mid-range press handles larger sheet sizes and heavier materials without sacrificing speed or changeover time.