Punchcutting
（重定向自Punchcutter）
![A punch (left) and the respective matrix produced from it (right). The small letters at the base of the matrix are founders marks.](/Images/godic/202502/05/De_Vinne_1904_-_Punch_and_matrix3122.jpg")
In traditional typography, punchcutting is the craft of cutting letter punches in steel from which matrices were made in copper for type founding in the letterpress era. Cutting punches and casting type was the first step of traditional typesetting. The cutting of letter punches was a highly skilled craft requiring much patience and practice. Often the designer of the type would not be personally involved in the cutting.