Direct Cutting. Fabricating an item by cutting it on a die-engraving pantograph; it is the end product (and not a die to stamp such complete item). Ivory medals, for example, can only be cut or carved in such a manner, as the material cannot be stamped or cast. Other media used for direct cutting are wood, plastic, imitation ivory (ivorine, and the organic tung nut, called vegetable ivory), amber, bone, mother of pearl, and galalith – a substance recommended by a German manufacturer of die-engraving pantographs. Organic media, such as ivory or bone, requires a very sharp cutting point to prevent chipping, as these have minute open areas irrespective of how solid they appear.

Since the object is positive the pattern must be positive, thus hubshells are required for direct cutting. Other considerations must be made in setup for direct cutting as well. The ratio of reduction, the type of cutter point, its shape and speed, and the number of cuts (first cut, fine cut) need to be adjusted to each material. See Janvier, pantograph.