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Die-cut magnets best practices

Updated October 1, 2026

Design die-cut magnets with clean outlines and sublimation-ready artwork

Die-cut magnets are cut to the exact shape of your artwork, giving customers a fridge-ready keepsake with no extra backing around the design. You can create them natively in Fourthwall Designer, the same place you design the rest of your on-demand catalog.

How die-cut magnets work​

A die-cut magnet is cut to follow the outline of your artwork, so the shape of your design becomes the shape of the finished magnet. There's no rectangular border around the image, just a thin white edge that traces your outline.

Die-cut magnets print using Sublimation, a method that infuses the ink into the surface for bright, durable color. Add and design them in Designer alongside your other on-demand products.

Product mockup of three die-cut magnets showing the white die-cut edge tracing each artwork outline

The cut follows your artwork, so a clean, deliberate outline is the single biggest factor in how the finished magnet looks.

How the cut line is generated​

Fourthwall reads the transparent areas of your uploaded file to decide where to cut. Any non-transparent pixel becomes part of the magnet, and the transparent space around your design tells the cutter where the edge is.

The artwork algorithm also handles enclosed blank areas correctly. If your design has a hollow space that sits fully inside the artwork, like the gap in the center of a loop or a window between two shapes, that space is kept as part of the magnet instead of being cut away. Hollow spaces that are visually part of the design stay intact.

Die-cut magnet with line-art design showing interior blank spaces preserved inside the shape

This matters most if you're moving artwork over from Printful. Enclosed blank areas that used to get cut away now print the way you designed them, and the mockups you get in Designer are closer to the final product.

Design guidelines​

The design principles are the same as die-cut stickers. Keep the outline clean and let the transparent background define the shape.

  • Use a PNG with a transparent background. The transparent area tells Fourthwall where your artwork ends and the cut begins. Every non-transparent pixel becomes part of the magnet.
  • Keep your outline clean and smooth. Jagged edges, stray pixels, or an overly complex outline can produce a rough cut. Simplify fine detail along the outer edge of your design.
  • Avoid thin protrusions and narrow connectors. Thin arms, tails, or connectors may not survive the cut cleanly. Thicken any delicate extensions so they hold up as part of the magnet shape.
  • Remove stray pixels. Anything visible in your file prints and cuts. Clean up stray marks before you upload.
  • Leave a small safe margin. Keep important elements slightly inside the outer edge of your artwork so nothing gets trimmed during production.

File preparation​

  • Use high-resolution artwork. Export at 300 DPI (Dots per inch) or higher. The quality of your magnet depends on the quality of your file.
  • Save as PNG with transparency. PNG preserves the transparent areas and enclosed blank spaces that the cut line depends on.
  • Design in the sRGB color profile. This keeps your printed colors close to what you see on screen. Sublimation produces vivid color, so a correct profile matters.
tip

Die-cut magnets work best with bold, simple outlines. If your design has a lot of fine detail around the edges, thicken those elements so they survive the cut and hold their shape.

What your customers receive​

Customers get a flexible magnet cut to the exact shape of your design, ready for a fridge, locker, or any magnetic surface. Because the cut traces your outline, the shape itself becomes part of the appeal, so a recognizable silhouette stands out more than a busy rectangle would.

Product mockup of stacked die-cut magnets showing the outline cut following an illustrated character design

Placed on a magnetic surface, the die-cut edge sits flush with your artwork, with only a thin white border tracing the outline.

Lifestyle mockup of a single die-cut magnet placed on a refrigerator door

Frequently Asked Questions​

How are die-cut magnets printed?​

Die-cut magnets print using Sublimation, which infuses the ink into the surface for bright, long-lasting color. You design them directly in Fourthwall Designer.

Can I keep hollow areas inside my design?​

Yes. The artwork algorithm keeps enclosed blank areas that sit fully inside your artwork, like the gap in the center of a loop. These interior spaces stay intact instead of being cut away.

I'm moving my magnets over from Printful. What changes?​

Enclosed blank areas that used to get cut away are now preserved, so hollow spaces that are part of your design print correctly. The mockups in Fourthwall Designer are also closer to the final product than what you may be used to.

What file format should I use?​

Upload a PNG with a transparent background, exported at 300 DPI or higher in the sRGB color profile. The transparent background defines where the magnet is cut.

What should I avoid in my artwork?​

Avoid thin protrusions, narrow connectors, and stray pixels. Thin arms or tails may not survive the cut cleanly, so thicken any delicate extensions before uploading.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at support@fourthwall.com.

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