| quality laser rubber is required for engraving stamp | | | | older cumbersome method of using foam tape to |
| dies and must also have suitable compression strength | | | | create a dam and pouring of rubber stamp polymers, |
| and ink transfer properties. | | | | the sachets have also addressed the age old problem |
| To assist the engraving process, it is necessary to | | | | of removing air bubbles from the poured polymer. |
| remove the excess dust which is constantly created | | | | The negative of your artwork and polymer sachet is |
| by the laser cutting action with an efficient exhaust | | | | sandwiched between two sheets of glass spaced |
| filtration system. As very few, if any, CO2 laser | | | | 2-3mm apart which is then exposed in the machine for |
| engraving machines were initially purpose built for | | | | a few minutes. Once you have completed the |
| engraving and cutting rubber, installing and maintaining | | | | exposure it is a simple process of cutting open the |
| an effective dust extraction system pays long term | | | | sachet and washing away the excess unexposed |
| dividends. Mirrors, lenses and any exposed bearing | | | | polymer before returning the stamp die back to the |
| surfaces should be cleaned thoroughly as part of a | | | | machine for a 10 minute curing. Once the stamps are |
| regular maintenance program. Any neglect in this area | | | | cured they can be cut up individually. Polymer sachets |
| will be detrimental to overall trouble free laser | | | | are available in a range of sizes up to A4 size. |
| operation, as the build up of dust and residue will affect | | | | Processing time is about 30 minutes for a batch of |
| running efficiency and the quality of the finished stamp | | | | polymer stamps. |
| die. Lasers are controlled directly from a computer, the | | | | Cost of polymer stamp making machines range from |
| software drivers supplied with lasers work with many | | | | $3,500 AUD for an Australian made unit designed |
| graphic programs such as CorelDraw. | | | | specifically for stamp making up to high end imported |
| Approximate cost of a 25 watt Laser suitable for | | | | units with computer controlled washout for $15,000 |
| stamp making is $40,000 | | | | AUD. |
| Advantages - Production is computer controlled, | | | | Advantages - Lower capital investment, polymers |
| custom made stamps can be made easily | | | | make almost clear stamps making them ideal for |
| Disadvantages - High capital investment, maintenance | | | | scrapbooking and card making. Stamp relief can be |
| costs and running will be much higher than vulcanizing | | | | easily controlled during exposure. |
| or polymer methods of manufacture. | | | | Disadvantages - Early polymers did not accept inks as |
| Liquid Polymer Rubber Stamps | | | | well as polymers available today, this along with being |
| Converting rubber stamp polymer from a liquid into a | | | | new technology caused initial resistance to polymer |
| solid to make stamps is quite fascinating. Polymer | | | | stamps. |
| stamps are manufactured between two sheets of | | | | Summary |
| glass using precision controlled UV light which passes | | | | Most large stamp manufacturers have a mix of the |
| through a negative containing the stamp artwork | | | | above equipment. The unmounted rubber stamp dies |
| solidifying the polymer. Negative production has been | | | | produced with any of these manufacturing methods |
| simplified with the introduction of water based negative | | | | can be cut up and affixed to simple hand stamps, |
| technology, photographic chemicals for producing | | | | dater stamps or self inking stamps. Craft stamps are |
| negatives are now a thing of the past. | | | | usually affixed to wooden blocks or in the case of |
| The first step in making polymer rubber stamps is to | | | | polymer stamps affixed to clear acrylic blocks with |
| print your images, clipart or text onto Vellum, an almost | | | | adhesives or InstaGrip mounting mat. Various |
| transparent paper like film. To produce quality stamp | | | | manufactures produces stamp mounts. Astron |
| artwork you must use a laser printer, inks from bubble | | | | Industries in Australia manufacturer the clear hand |
| jet printers are translucent allowing UV light to pass | | | | stamp 'Vuestamp' and also distribute the Ideal range of |
| where it should not. Water based negatives are easily | | | | self inking mounts. Other brands of self inking mounts |
| washed out after being exposed for a few minutes in | | | | are Trodat, Colop and Shiny. |
| a UV exposure stamp machine. | | | | Read about rosy periwinkle, poinsettia facts and other |
| Polymer contained in a sachet is now replacing the | | | | information at the Knowledge Bin website. |