Compare Shims or Platform Systems for Adjustable Pressure

When crisp, detailed die cuts are the goal, controlling the pressure inside a home die cutting machine matters more than many crafters realize. Whether you work with delicate floral dies or heavy chipboard, achieving a clean cut without tearing or incomplete penetration often comes down to one decision: should you use simple shims or platform systems to fine-tune the pressure? This article compares shims or platform systems for adjustable pressure so you can confidently choose the right method.

Both approaches aim to solve the same problem: every die, material, and machine combination demands a slightly different sandwich thickness. Too little pressure leaves you with partially cut shapes you have to tear out by hand. Too much pressure can warp dies, damage cutting pads, or cause paper to crack. The art of personal crafting leans heavily on repeatable, reliable results, and that is exactly where the debate between traditional shims and modern platform systems comes into play.

Below, you will discover the core differences between these pressure adjustment tools, their specific types, and the real-world scenarios that make one a better fit than the other. By the end, you will have a clear framework for deciding whether shims or platform systems deserve a place in your die cutting setup.

Quick Answer

Shims are thin, often homemade layers added to the die cutting sandwich to slightly increase pressure. Platform systems are purpose-built accessories with adjustable plates or dials that offer repeatable thickness control. Choose shims for occasional adjustments and tight budgets; choose platform systems for frequent use, precision, and convenience.

Why Adjustable Pressure Is Essential in Home Die Cutting

Home die cutting machines rely on a rolling or pressing mechanism that pushes a stack of materials, known as a sandwich, through the machine. This sandwich typically consists of a base cutting plate, the die with its cutting edge facing the material, and a top cutting plate. The gap between the rollers or the travel of the press determines how much pressure is applied. When you introduce thicker materials like multiple layers of cardstock, felt, or specialty foils, the standard sandwich thickness may no longer be optimal.

Pressure adjustment becomes critical when working with intricate dies that have fine details. Thin lines and delicate cutouts require enough force to sever the material completely but not so much that the die sinks too deep and catches the material, causing frayed edges. Similarly, embossing folders and large solid dies spread pressure differently across the surface, often needing a touch more thickness than a basic cut. With the right shims or platform systems, you can dial in that perfect sweet spot without buying multiple sets of dedicated plates.

Another factor is pad wear. Cutting pads compress and lose thickness over time. Instead of replacing them immediately, a thin shim can compensate for the loss and extend pad life. Platform systems often maintain consistent pressure even as pads age, because the reference thickness is built into the platform itself. Understanding how to manipulate pressure therefore not only improves cut quality but also saves money in the long run.

What Are Shims?

Shims are additional layers inserted into the die cutting sandwich to increase the overall height and therefore the pressure exerted by the machine. They can be made from common household materials or purchased as precision-made accessories. The beauty of shims lies in their simplicity: you add a sheet of paper, a piece of cardstock, or a thin metal plate wherever extra thickness is needed, run the sandwich through, and check the result. If the cut is not deep enough, you add another shim or switch to a slightly thicker one.

Crafters have used shims for decades, long before platform systems became widely available. The trial-and-error approach does have a learning curve, but it encourages a deep intuitive understanding of one’s machine. Once you learn that a certain steel-rule die on heavy cardstock needs one extra sheet of copy paper, you can reproduce that result with near-perfect consistency using the same shim material.

Paper and Cardstock Shims

The most accessible shims are made from common paper products. A single sheet of printer paper adds roughly 0.1 mm of thickness, making it perfect for the finest adjustments. Cardstock, which can vary between 0.2 mm and 0.4 mm depending on weight, serves as a slightly thicker option. These paper shims are cheap, replaceable, and can be cut to any size to fit precisely under a die or between the cutting plates. The downside is that paper shims compress quickly under repeated pressure, losing their effectiveness after a handful of passes.

Metal Shims

Aftermarket metal shims are typically made from thin stainless steel or brass and offer uncompromising durability. They do not compress, so the added thickness remains consistent across hundreds of cuts. A metal shim of 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, or 0.2 mm can become a permanent part of a crafter’s toolkit. Because they are rigid, metal shims must be placed carefully to avoid marking cutting plates or interfering with the smooth travel of the sandwich. They are especially useful when a machine consistently needs a small but permanent amount of extra pressure.

Plastic and Specialty Shims

Translucent plastic shims, often sold in packs with varying thicknesses, offer a middle ground between paper and metal. They are more durable than paper and less likely to scratch plates than metal. Some crafters also use adhesive shims—thin tape or sticky templates affixed directly to the back of a die—to create a permanent height increase for one specific tool. This approach is common for intricate dies that always need a little extra squeeze.

What Are Platform Systems?

Platform systems are engineered accessories designed to give precise, tool-free control over the sandwich thickness. Instead of hunting for scraps of paper, you turn a dial, slide a lever, or add and remove numbered plates that click into place. The goal is repeatability: once you find the correct setting for a specific die and material, you can note the number and return to it instantly, even weeks later. Platform systems are especially popular among small craft business owners who need to produce consistent bulk cuts without stopping to test every sheet.

Layered Adapter Platforms

One of the most familiar designs is a base tray that accepts a set of thin, rigid adapters. The platform itself takes the place of one cutting plate, and the adapters stack beneath the die or material. By adding or removing adapter layers, you change the total sandwich thickness in small, known increments. These platforms often include a printed guide that recommends the adapter configuration for common materials like vellum, cardstock, or felt. Because the adapters are flat and hard, they do not compress and maintain the set thickness indefinitely.

Dial-Controlled Pressure Platforms

A more advanced variation uses a cylindrical dial built into a platform plate. Rotating the dial shifts an internal cam or wedge mechanism that micro-adjusts the height without adding or removing separate pieces. This system is exceptionally fast to operate and eliminates the risk of misplacing adapter layers. The dial typically features clearly marked settings, sometimes with detents, so adjustments are tactile and easy to replicate. It is a favorite among crafters who frequently switch between thin paper and chunky materials like chipboard or metal sheets.

Magnetic and Multifunctional Platforms

Some modern platform systems combine pressure adjustment with other functions, such as a magnetic base to hold dies in place or a textured surface for embossing. While these features do not directly affect pressure, they streamline the workflow and reduce the chances of shifting during the press. The pressure adjustment mechanism is usually integrated into the base or spacer system, so the user benefits from both precise thickness control and die alignment in one accessory.

Comparing Shims or Platform Systems: Pros and Cons

When you place shims or platform systems side by side, the decision often reflects a trade-off between flexibility and convenience. Shims are the improvisational artist’s tool—cheap, adaptable, and always available. Platform systems are the engineer’s answer—calibrated, repeatable, and fast. Neither is universally superior; both have clear strengths and limitations that matter differently depending on your crafting style.

Ease of Use

Platform systems win decisively on ease of use after the initial setup. Turning a dial or inserting a numbered adapter takes seconds and requires no guesswork. Shims demand a little more patience: you test a cut, examine the result, adjust the shim, and repeat. For a beginner, this trial and error can be frustrating. Once you have built a mental library of which shim works for your favorite combinations, however, the process becomes second nature. If you craft in short, sporadic sessions, a platform system’s instant recall can save valuable time.

Precision and Repeatability

A well-designed platform system provides exact, documented thickness changes. You can reliably achieve a cut that kisses the backing sheet without slicing through it, which is crucial for sticker-making and intricate negative-space designs. Shims, especially those made from compressible materials like paper, may vary slightly from one use to the next due to humidity or wear. For occasional home projects, this difference is negligible. For a small business owner cutting dozens of identical wedding invitations, the repeatability of a platform system can prevent costly material waste.

Cost and Availability

Shims are virtually free when you use scrap paper and cardstock, and even a set of purpose-bought metal shims costs only a few dollars. Platform systems represent a more significant upfront investment. Some machines include a basic adapter platform, but advanced dial-based universal platforms are typically sold separately. If you own multiple die cutting machines of different brands, a universal shim kit works across all of them identically, while a platform system may be machine-specific. This cross-compatibility makes shims an economical bridge for mixed-machine craft rooms.

Material Compatibility and Versatility

Both approaches can handle an extraordinary range of materials, but they excel in different areas. Paper shims are excellent for ultra-fine micro-adjustments that even a stepped dial might skip. On the other hand, platform systems often have a wider total thickness range, allowing them to accommodate very thick materials like balsa wood, leather, or multiple fabric layers in a single pass. If you regularly work with unusual media, a platform system’s documented material settings reduce the risk of damaging your machine by over-stuffing the sandwich.

When to Choose Shims Over Platform Systems

Shims are the ideal pressure adjustment solution when budget is a primary concern. If you have just purchased your first die cutting machine and are still exploring which materials you enjoy most, the ability to experiment with free paper shims is invaluable. You can learn the fundamentals of pressure compensation without spending anything extra, and the process of trial and error will deepen your understanding of how your machine behaves.

Shims also shine in situations where you need an extremely precise, one-off adjustment that a stepped platform system might not provide. For example, if a specific glitter cardstock is just a hair thicker than regular cardstock, one extra sheet of onion skin paper might be the perfect fix. Shims can be cut to custom shapes, making them useful for spot-pressure adjustments. If a die has a weak spot where the blade never cuts completely, adding a small, shaped shim of masking tape directly behind that area concentrates extra pressure exactly where it is needed.

Finally, portability favors shims. A few pieces of paper or a slim metal shim set can be tucked into a carrying case without adding weight. If you craft at crops, retreats, or workshops where you bring your own machine, shims keep your kit light and flexible. There is no risk of leaving a crucial adapter layer behind if your shim supply can be improvised from everyday materials.

When to Choose Platform Systems Over Shims

Platform systems become the better choice as soon as speed and consistency dominate your workflow. If you operate a small crafting business producing card sets, stickers, or packaging embellishments, the time saved by snapping a platform to a known setting instead of testing shims for each run can add up to hours over a week. The repeatable pressure also ensures that every piece in a batch looks identical, which is essential for professional-quality output.

These systems are also advantageous when multiple people use the same machine. In a family craft room or a shared makerspace, a platform system with clearly numbered settings lets anyone reproduce the correct pressure without needing the machine owner’s intuitive shim know-how. Simply note that standard 110 lb cardstock is setting 3, and anyone can use it correctly. This reduces the friction of passing projects between friends and relatives and prevents accidental damage from over-enthusiastic sandwich packing.

Crafters who struggle with hand strength or fine motor control may find that manipulating thin slips of paper and aligning tiny metal shims is frustrating. A platform with a clear dial or chunky adapter plates is easier to handle and leaves less room for error. Additionally, if you work heavily with embossing folders and deep-etch dies that demand consistently high pressure, a solid platform system is engineered to distribute that force evenly, reducing the chance of plate warping that can occur with stacked paper shims.

How to Use Shims and Platform Systems Correctly

Using Shims Step by Step

Start by assembling the standard sandwich recommended by your machine’s manual for the material you are cutting. Run the sandwich through and examine the cut. If the die has not cut through completely, place a single sheet of common printer paper between the top cutting plate and the material, or under the paper but above the bottom plate depending on where you need to increase thickness. Run the sandwich again with the shim in place. If the cut improves but is still not perfect, add a second sheet or replace the first with a slightly thicker shim such as lightweight cardstock.

When you achieve the perfect cut, write down the shim recipe immediately. Keep the shim with the die or store it in a labeled envelope. For metal shims, take care to place them so edges do not drag against the cutting plates. If you notice indentations on your plates from a metal shim, insert a protective layer of cardstock between the shim and the plate. For intricate dies that always need a tiny boost, a piece of washi tape or low-tack adhesive shim applied directly to the die’s back can turn that die into a self-shimming tool, eliminating the need to remember a separate shim.

Using Platform Systems Step by Step

Begin by reading the platform’s material guide if one is provided. Select the recommended adapter configuration or dial setting for your specific material. Assemble the sandwich using the platform as your base plate or in place of another layer, exactly as the platform’s instructions describe. Run the sandwich through and inspect the result. If the cut is slightly too deep or too shallow, adjust the platform by adding or removing one adapter layer or by turning the dial one increment.

Make a note of the setting that worked best and attach a small label to the die or material packaging. Over time you will build a reference chart that turns die cutting into a push-button operation. Remember that even the best platform systems need occasional cleaning. Dust, paper fibers, and adhesive residue can affect the accuracy of the dial mechanism or the thickness of adapter plates, so wipe them down periodically with a soft cloth.

Conclusion

The ongoing conversation about shims or platform systems really reflects how individual crafting has become. There is no single correct answer, only the method that integrates seamlessly into your creative rhythm. Shims offer an economical, flexible path that rewards curiosity and hands-on tuning. Platform systems deliver the consistency and speed that busy crafters and small businesses rely on to meet demand without sacrificing quality.

Often the most efficient craft rooms contain both. Keep a stack of paper shims for those tricky one-of-a-kind cuts and a robust platform system for your high-volume go-to materials. With a solid understanding of how each approach affects pressure, you can move between shims or platform systems effortlessly, ensuring that every die cut comes out clean, sharp, and ready to elevate your paper craft projects.

FAQ

Can I use shims with a platform system?

Absolutely. A platform system provides a calibrated base thickness, and you can still add a thin paper or metal shim on top when you need a micro-adjustment between the preset steps. Just be cautious not to exceed the maximum sandwich thickness allowed by your machine.

Are metal shims always better than paper shims?

Not necessarily. Metal shims are more durable and do not compress, which makes them excellent for permanent adjustments. Paper shims, however, are softer and more forgiving, which can be an advantage when you want to protect delicate dies or embossing folders from excessive hard pressure.

How do I know if my machine needs a shim or a platform?

If you rarely need to adjust pressure and your projects are primarily standard cardstock, a couple of paper shims will likely suffice. If you find yourself constantly testing and readjusting, or you use a wide variety of unusual materials, a platform system can dramatically simplify your workflow.

Can I make my own shims?

Yes, homemade shims are one of the most common tools in die cutting. Paper, cardstock, vellum, and even thin plastic packaging can be repurposed as shims. For safety and consistency, ensure homemade shims have smooth, even edges and are free of tape or adhesive that could gum up your machine.

Do platform systems wear out over time?

High-quality platform systems are designed to withstand many thousands of passes, but the adapter layers or dial mechanism can eventually show signs of wear. Loose dials, cracks in plastic adapters, or warped base plates indicate it may be time for a replacement. Regular cleaning and correct storage prolong their lifespan significantly.

What thickness shim should I start with?

A single sheet of standard printer paper is the safest starting point. It adds roughly 0.1 mm of height, which is enough to compensate for a slightly worn pad or a marginally too-thin material. From there, you can stack or switch to heavier cardstock if you need a larger increase.