Die Cuts Vs. No Die Cuts

I was puttering around the USPS site and I see there are press sheets with die cuts and ones without die cuts. I read the definition of a die cut here on SCF.

My question now is on the sheets without die cuts are those harder to remove from the sheet for use? Do the die cuts really make a difference?

-MV

No-die cuts means they're imperforate - they're not separated at all. The ones without die cuts are a LOT harder to remove, at least cleanly, neatly and evenly. A straight edge and a razor blade with very gentle pressure is what I've found to work best in removing them one at a time from the backing paper.

Thanks TAH. I don't have confidence in my cutting abilities to attempt the imperforate sheet, I'll be sticking with the sheets with the die cuts if and when I order any.

-MV

Are you collecting these to use postally? I think the difficult part would be separating the stamp from the backing. But if merely cutting the sheets then a strait edge and a razor or exacto knife does not require a lot of skill. I don't collect new issues as a rule, unless they fit into my topical collecting interests. I am watching for an issue upcoming later this year, and if there are imperforate sheets I will try to get an early order in for one or more of them. I don't plan to use them postally, but keep them as "MNH" items. Well, now that I think about it, I may try to use some imperforate examples on cover. I've some experience separating cutting adhesive labels and then having to use a razor to remove the adhesive backing. It can be done.

I take press sheets without die-cuts to my local Kinko's. They have a device with both English & metric scales that makes cutting these an easy chore. And you can use if for FREE!

Yes, there are some I like the design and want to have a sheet or two on hand so I can use them if the Post Office stops selling them.

I think the sheets with the die cuts are best suited to my needs.

There aren't any Kinko's close to where I live.


-MV

The trick is to apply enough pressure to cut through the stamp itself, but not enough to cut through the backing paper. That way they can be peeled away from the backing paper fairly easily. This actually isn't all that difficult and after the first few stamps it's actually pretty easy. The sheet sizes can get a little unwieldy to work with, but those can be trimmed down to make them more manageable if one is using them for postage. If one uses a scissors and cuts the stamp and backing paper at the same time, it can be a real bear to separate the stamp from the backing paper without damaging the stamp in the process, not to mention the scissor cuts don't always come out nice and straight. A straight edge and razor blade/box cutter is perfect and it's pretty easy to make them come out nice and square and even that way.

I like using imperfs as postage and I'd do it more often if the less-expensive sheets didn't sell out so quickly (i.e. before they're even on sale). I don't like buying the larger sheets for postage because A) I don't want to buy that much postage at a time and B) I don't want to use the same stamp for 6 months straight. I'd love it if they released a sub-$50 imperf sheet with 4 or more designs on it. I'd use those for postage all day long. I think the Hudson River School sheet is the only one currently fitting that bill, and I've already used a couple of those sheets up on mailings.

The imperforate sheets are the only way to obtain used setenants these days. I use a .5mm pencil with HB lead to make light guide lines and just cut through the whole sheet using a steel rule and xacto knife . A nice, sharp xacto will take off the backing with no problems. A vinyl eraser takes care of any pencil marks without marring the stamp surface.

Imperf No Die Cuts are more for display/framing because it was never meant for use.

Die cuts were meant for use so it's easily separated.

When did all this die-cut and no die-cut start?

I'm sure someone here can pinpoint the exact date and Scott# of the first no-die cut press sheet, but it was within the last 3-4 years or so. They've been controversial, to say the least. Only time will tell whether they become popular (or valuable) collectibles.

The first press sheets without die-cuts were issued in the summer of 2012, beginning with the five baseball player issues (one sheet for each player & one sheet with all four players). As I recall, the 4-player sheet was delayed slightly & came after the first 4. I believe this was in July.

The Baseball All Stars (Williams, Stargell, Doby, DiMaggio) issue of 2012...and back then they offered 2500 Press Sheets (without die cuts) for each individual player and they sold out -- all 10,000 of them!

I have noticed in ebay completed sold listings an already marked scarcity in many of the earlier no die cut individual sheets. Earthscapes, modern art, all five baseball, Jenny, made in America five sheets, for example. I wonder if they are truly that scarce relative to demand and if so will sales values, which in many cases are up to 5X face value, increase when they do come to market.

Batman and Circus are selling at 2X face and may be repeating the pattern as available supply diminishes.