How to Choose the Right Supplies for Your Dies

A Practical Guide Featuring Insights from Carton Craft Supply

Choosing the right supplies is one of the most critical decisions die makers and converters face. It impacts everything—from production speed and cutting accuracy to overall job profitability. To dig deeper into what truly matters when selecting supplies, we spoke with Gabriel Delgadillo, Sales Director for Carton Craft Supply (CCS), Serviform America’s go-to partner for high-quality consumables.

Gabriel brings a field-based perspective that blends technical expertise with customer experience. Based in the Midwest and serving a wide variety of clients, Gabriel shared real-world insights that can help die makers make smarter, more profitable decisions.

The Role of Relationships and Reliability

“A customer chooses supplies based on how quickly they can get their supplies manufactured and delivered to them as it relates to cost and quality,” Gabriel said. “Of course, a customer wants the best price but sometimes, it’s the customer’s experience and relationship with the vendor that also drives choice.”

Price matters—but reliability, lead time, and the customer-vendor relationship are equally critical. As Gabriel explained, multiple factors influence the buying decision: “Several factors play into a customer’s decision making for choosing supplies including relationship, quality, price, reliability, and customer experience.”

Common Issues—and How to Avoid Them

When things go wrong, it’s often about communication. “Expectations differ between the buyer and seller and when delivery cannot be met along with quality, this leads to a bad experience on both sides,” he shared. Even trusted die makers can fall short if they cut corners on consumables. “The converter or die maker at times may decide to forgo $50-100 in added cost to the tooling,” Gabriel said, “but that can lead to a longer make-ready and slower production.”

Matrix Matters

Matrix selection is not one-size-fits-all. According to Gabriel, “Paper thickness and cutting and creasing rule height are essential in determining the right channel size of matrix.” Additional variables like run length and machine type must also be considered. Matrix used on a 100k-run carton job won’t be suitable for a corrugated B-flute application with a 180-degree fold. Choosing the right matrix ensures durability and accuracy throughout the run.

Rubber: Cutting Costs Without Compromise?

Material costs are rising, but cutting corners on rubber can cost more in the long run. “CITO Balance rubber on an older unbalanced autoplaten should be standard if not at least trialed with every converter,” Gabriel said. His advice is simple: don’t overlook how small upgrades in rubber quality can drive huge gains in speed and efficiency.

“Sometimes seeing the added cost on the front end scares people away from trying something new. They lose sight of a potentially more favorable experience and end result, which is faster make-ready’s, increased efficiency, higher profits.”

The Importance of Rule Hardness and Bevel

“Rule hardness and bevel are everything on substrate and applications,” Gabriel stated. The substrate being converted and the run length are major drivers in rule selection. A 42-degree bevel might give a cleaner cut, but some customers prefer a 52-degree bevel depending on their setup and experience. Whether it’s center bevel or long center bevel, Gabriel emphasized that these details are crucial based on the material—especially when working with abrasives like plastic.

The One Piece of Advice

When asked what advice he gives most often, Gabriel didn’t hesitate. “CITO and CCS products are at the forefront of technology with the user in mind. Yes, it may be a product that’s new to the market and it may be a higher priced item but you don’t know if it works with success and satisfaction until you try it. Just try it, sample it, and who knows, in the end, you may not be able to go without it.”

Learn More About Our Partnership

Serviform America and Carton Craft Supply work hand in hand to ensure our customers have access to the highest quality consumables and expert advice in the industry. To learn more about our partnership, visit this page. To browse product offerings or place an order, visit Carton Craft Supply’s official website.