When the printed stamps are produced by the Direct Image Printer they appear as one full sheet of continuous stamps. They need perforating so that they can be separated easily. This is achieved through the use of a steel die cutter. This is made up of several hardened steel blades. The layout of the blades match the exact layout of the individual stamps. A die cutter is basically a steel stamp. Each blade is a serrated edge and they work together to perforate the pattern of the postage stamps.