TechTalk #14: Creasing Techniques: Know the Differences

Creasing is generally used to fold a material. There are three very different types of creases (Crush, Cut, and Male-Female).  Each one is used on specific materials or applications.

#1 – Crush. This crease can be used on any paper product over .010” thick.  The blade is not sharp, so it deforms or crushes the material instead of cutting into it. A crush crease will usually indent the material about halfway through its thickness. For example, if the paper is .010” thick, the crush crease will be about .005” deep. Crush crease blades should never be used on parts that are going to be folded by a machine. They also should not be used on poly or synthetic material as the material has too much memory.

#2 – Cut. Cut creasing is ideal for poly materials or any material that has a high degree of memory. The crease blade on this application is sharp—it scores a line halfway through the material. The scoring allows durable materials to fold more easily. A cut crease should not be used on paper because fibers will be exposed, causing a line of missing color if the area is printed.

#3 – Male/Female. Male/female creasing can be used on any paper product. It is distinguished from crush or cut crease by the tell-tale protrusion on the opposite side. On material thinner than .010”, we use an inferring crease. This is where the male blade crosses over into the female channel. On materials .010” or thicker, we will only push the material into the female channel. Male/Female creases work well for any application but are a must for a product that is being folded by a machine.

It is important to select the appropriate type of creasing for your individual application. For example, using a crush creasing technique could cause issues in your production line if your material will be folded by machine. The quality and tolerance of your rotary dies also make a big impact on your results and can mean the difference between smooth operations and production delays. 

If you are looking to improve your creasing results, your Wilson tooling expert is here to help! Use our simple online tool to find your representative and send us your questions.