What Is the Afinia DLF Quattro?
The DLF Quattro is a digital label finisher that turns printed label rolls into finished, ready-to-apply rolls. It uses four drag-knife heads to contour cut your labels from a digital file, so you never need a physical die. It is built for businesses that run short jobs, change designs often, and want fast turnaround.
If you already print your own labels, this DLF Quattro finisher closes the gap between “printed” and “shippable.” You keep the whole job under your own roof.
Key Features at a Glance
- Four drag-knife cutting heads: four heads work together to boost cutting output on every job.
- Die-free label cutting: cut custom shapes from a vector PDF file instead of steel tooling.
- Complete roll-to-roll workflow: laminate, cut, remove the matrix, slit, and rewind in one pass.
- Speeds up to 9 m/min: actual speed depends on your label shape and detail.
- Touchscreen Cutting Manager software: import cut files, set up jobs, and adjust settings right at the machine.
- Automatic web guide: keeps your material aligned without collars or manual guides.
- Camera registration: reads black marks on your printed roll to line up every cut.
- Up to 8 slitting blades: split one wide web into narrower finished rolls.
One Pass From Printed Roll to Finished Labels
The DLF Quattro combines five finishing steps into one smooth run. You load a printed roll at one end. You pull finished rolls off the other.
- Unwind: load your pre-printed roll, up to 19.68 in (500 mm) in diameter.
- Laminate (optional): add a protective laminate to strengthen the web.
- Contour cut: the four heads cut your label shapes, guided by registration marks.
- Remove the waste matrix: the finisher strips away the leftover material around each label.
- Slit and rewind: blades slit the web into lanes, and the rewinder builds clean, finished rolls on 3-in cores.
Need more flexibility? Ask us about the optional split rewind with an extra output mandrel. An optional laminate liner rewinder also lets you run linered laminate.
No Dies Required
Traditional finishing means ordering a new die for every new shape. That adds cost. It also adds days or weeks of waiting. The DLF Quattro skips that step completely.
Here is how digital die cutting works on this machine. You design your cut line as a vector file in a program like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW. You save it as a PDF. The Cutting Manager reads that file and drives the heads. The finisher even detects head positions from your PDF, which speeds up setup.
For printed labels, include the black registration mark in your artwork. The camera uses it to match each cut to your print. Want a new shape tomorrow? Just make a new file. That is label finishing without dies, and it is why so many growing brands make the switch.
What Can the DLF Quattro Cut?
You can finish most common label materials, including paper, BOPP, PET, and similar stocks. Results depend on your material thickness, adhesive, liner, laminate, and the complexity of your shape. Tight turns and fine detail may call for slower speeds.
One rule matters most. Your material must sit on a liner. The DLF Quattro is a label finisher, so it is not meant for tag stock or free-hanging cut-through work.
Want to cut blank labels for printing later? Use Blank Label Mode. It cuts plain labels on liner without registration marks, so you can stock custom blanks for your printer.
Is the DLF Quattro Right for You?
This finisher is a strong fit if you:
- Run short to medium label runs.
- Change designs or SKUs often.
- Need custom label shapes or variable designs.
- Want faster turnaround without waiting on outside finishing.
- Already print labels in-house on a roll-fed printer.
We want you in the right machine, so here is the honest part. If you run the same label shape at very high volume every day, a die-based system may serve you better. If your volume is lower, consider our smaller Afinia finishers. The DLF-220S, DLF-220S Dual, DLF-220L, and DLF-350L cover a range of widths and budgets. You can compare them all in our Afinia finishing lineup.
What You Need to Run It
Plan for three things before your finisher arrives:
- An air compressor. The DLF Quattro needs one, and it is not included.
- Wear parts. Cutting knives, slitter blades, and cutting strips wear over time and need regular replacement. You can rotate slitter blades to use a fresh edge first.
- Set up and training. Installation and on-site operator training are provided by Afinia Label or an authorized representative. We will walk you through what that looks like for your shop.
Once a job is running, sensors and automation let the finisher work mostly on its own. You should still check in during long runs, new jobs, or new materials.
Pair It With an Afinia Label Printer
The DLF Quattro works best as the second half of a complete in-house system. Print your rolls on an Afinia X350 digital roll-to-roll press or an Afinia L901 industrial label printer. Running bigger volumes? The Afinia DLP-2200 digital label press gives you more print capacity to feed your finisher. Browse all Afinia printers to find your match.
Why Buy From TCS Digital Solutions
We help businesses bring label printing in-house every day. Our team knows the Afinia lineup and will help you match the right printer, finisher, and media to your work. When you have questions after setup, our technical support team is here for you. Need to spread out the cost? See our easy financing options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Dlf Quattro Need Dies?
No. You cut every shape from a vector PDF file using four drag-knife heads, so you never order or store dies.
Can the Four Heads Cut Different Shapes at Once?
Not within the same job. The heads work in tandem and cut the same shape. You can adjust settings such as cut pressure and spacing on each head.
How Fast Is It?
You can finish at up to 9 m/min. Your real speed depends on shape and detail. Complex shapes cut more slowly.
Do the Four Heads Limit How Many Labels Fit Across My Web?
No. Your layout depends on web width, label size, spacing, and shape. It is not tied to the number of heads.
Can It Cut Perforations?
Yes. Cutting Manager has settings for perforation cuts through the label material. It does not perforate the liner.
Do I Have to Laminate My Labels?
No, lamination is optional. We recommend it for many jobs because it strengthens your web and makes matrix removal more reliable.
Are Registration Marks Required?
Yes, for printed labels. You print a black mark with your labels so the camera can align each cut. Blank Label Mode does not use marks.
Does It Need an Air Compressor?
Yes. You will need an air compressor to run the finisher. It is not included.
Are Installation and Training Included?
Yes. Afinia Label or an authorized representative handles installation and on-site operator training. Ask us for details for your location.
What Are the Ongoing Consumables?
Plan to replace cutting knives, slitter blades, and cutting strips as they wear. Your usage decides how often.
Bring Your Label Finishing In-House
Stop waiting on dies and outside finishers. The Afinia DLF Quattro 4x Plotter Digital Label Finisher puts fast, flexible cutting right in your shop. Contact our team for a quote and current availability, or explore financing to get started sooner.
| Specification | DLF Quattro |
| Max web width | 13.78 in (350 mm) |
| Max cutting width | 13 in (330 mm) |
| Max label length | 19.68 in (500 mm) |
| Max cutting speed | Up to 9 m/min (about 29 ft/min), shape dependent |
| Cutting technology | Four drag-knife plotter heads |
| Max input roll diameter | 19.68 in (500 mm) |
| Max finished roll diameter | 11.81 in (300 mm) |
| Min slitting width | 0.75 in (19 mm) |
| Slitting blades | Up to 8 |
| Registration | Camera-based black-mark detection |
| Media | Paper, BOPP, PET, and similar label stocks on liner |
| Core size | 3 in (76 mm) |
| Power | 100 to 240V, 50/60Hz, 1kW |
| Air supply | Air compressor required (not included) |
