Die cutting is not nearly as simple and straightforward as it sounds, although this is not a bad characteristic but one chalked full of options for those requiring the services of die cut machines. There are numerous methods now utilized by die cutting manufacturers, some that are more appropriate for certain materials then others. This allows a company seeking die cutter services to choose a die cut machine that will cut their material in the cleanest and most energy and money efficient fashion. Whatever die cut shape is needed, and however it needs to be mass produced, it can be done with a range of die cutting options.

The classic die cutting tool is a cookie-cutter like stamp with knife sharp edges, which are often imbedded in rubber to soften the impact with material when the stamp runs all the way through. This is how most gaskets, plastic parts and vibration absorbers are produced, although even with the classic die cutting tool a variety of die cut machines exist. Steel rule dies are designed to cut through numerous sheets of material at once, while rotary die cutting uses a cylindrical die and is most often used in the corrugated box business. Kiss cutting machines also utilize the cookie-cutter dies, although ones specially designed to only cut through certain layers since they deal with products requiring layers of adhesive.

More extreme die cut machines owned by die cutting manufacturers, which have gained attention in recent years include the laser die cutting machines, ultrasonic die cutting, waterjet cutting and plasma cutting machines. Laser die cutting utilizes highly precise laser beams to burn a slice through a material, which is an ideal method for thicker and harder materials such as metal. Waterjet cutting is similar in its high power technique, only it uses intense streams of water with abrasives mixed in to erode away the parts not wanted during production.