How to Make Rubber Stamps: Comparing Methods of invent

Vulcanized Rubber Stamps

The traditional red rubber stamp that every person is customary with will have been manufactured in a vulcanizing press. The first rubber stamp vulcanizing press was patented in 1890 by Charles Schultze in New Orleans Usa. Vulcanizing is today one of the most cost productive methods of making rubber stamps for mass produced stamps. Each batch of stamps is produced using a mould. This formula of make is more fine to stamp making where the same moulds are used over and over again. making custom made stamps with a vulcanizing press requiring 'once only' moulds will drive the cost of make up significantly.

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Making the mould - before a mould can be made you must have a scholar plate manufactured from metal or polymer, the scholar plate has the important relief (the artwork is raised) to make an impression in the mould. Having a scholar plate made each time a mould is required is what drives up the cost of make for vulcanized stamps. Pressing the scholar plate into a Matrix board creates the mould that will accept the rubber. Heat and pressure is applied to the scholar plate and matrix board inside a Vulcanizing press. The Matrix follows the shape of the relief provided by the scholar plate, this then hardens on cooling.

Making Rubber Stamps - Creating stamps is a straightforward process once the mould is made. Raw rubber stamp gum is placed on top of the mould and then placed inside the stamp press. Hydraulic pressure is placed upon the rubber and the mould from within the stamp press causing the rubber to melt into the areas of the mould that comprise the images and text, curing and hardening takes about 10 minutes. Once cured the sheet of rubber is pulled away from the mould and cut up into individual stamps to be affixed to mounts.

Cost of a vulcanizing theory is almost ,000 Aud

Advantages - Low cost of output for mass produced stamps, good ink transfer.

Disadvantages - Cost of producing scholar plates and moulds for custom made stamps.

Laser Engraved Rubber Stamps

The traditional raw rubber used for vulcanizing stamp dies is quite unacceptable for the output of laser stamp dies, the laser process requires a very even thickness and flaw free covering to produce an approved printed image from a stamp die. The rubber must also be subjected to a exact curing process before it can be exposed to the elevated temperature of a laser beam.

The depth of the engraving is considered by the laser speed, its wattage and the density of the rubber. For example, a 50 or 100W engraver will engrave the rubber deeper and faster than a 25W machine, which may wish a second pass to perform a similar result. Regularly supplied in an A4 size sheet form, a good quality laser rubber is required for engraving stamp dies and must also have suitable compression power and ink change properties.

To assist the engraving process, it is important to remove the excess dust which is constantly created by the laser cutting action with an productive exhaust filtration system. As very few, if any, Co2 laser engraving machines were initially purpose built for engraving and cutting rubber, installing and maintaining an productive dust extraction theory pays long term dividends. Mirrors, lenses and any exposed bearing surfaces should be cleaned completely as part of a regular maintenance program. Any neglect in this area will be detrimental to broad problem free laser operation, as the build up of dust and residue will work on running efficiency and the quality of the closed stamp die. Lasers are controlled directly from a computer, the software drivers supplied with lasers work with many descriptive programs such as CorelDraw.

Approximate cost of a 25 watt Laser suitable for stamp making is ,000

Advantages - output is computer controlled, custom made stamps can be made easily

Disadvantages - High capital investment, maintenance costs and running will be much higher than vulcanizing or polymer methods of manufacture.

Liquid Polymer Rubber Stamps

Converting rubber stamp polymer from a liquid into a solid to make stamps is quite fascinating. Polymer stamps are manufactured in the middle of two sheets of glass using precision controlled Uv light which passes straight through a negative containing the stamp artwork solidifying the polymer. Negative output has been simplified with the introduction of water based negative technology, photographic chemicals for producing negatives are now a thing of the past.

The first step in making polymer rubber stamps is to print your images, clipart or text onto Vellum, an almost transparent paper like film.
To produce quality stamp artwork you must use a laser printer, inks from bubble jet printers are translucent allowing Uv light to pass where it should not. Water based negatives are no ifs ands or buts washed out after being exposed for a few minutes in a Uv exposure stamp machine.

Polymer contained in a sachet is now replacing the older cumbersome formula of using foam tape to create a dam and pouring of rubber stamp polymers, the sachets have also addressed the age old question of removing air bubbles from the poured polymer.

The negative of your artwork and polymer sachet is sandwiched in the middle of two sheets of glass spaced 2-3mm apart which is then exposed in the motor for a few minutes. Once you have completed the exposure it is a straightforward process of cutting open the sachet and washing away the excess unexposed polymer before returning the stamp die back to the motor for a 10 wee curing. Once the stamps are cured they can be cut up individually. Polymer sachets are available in a range of sizes up to A4 size.

Processing time is about 30 minutes for a batch of polymer stamps.

Cost of polymer stamp making machines range from ,500 Aud for an Australian made unit designed specifically for stamp making up to high end imported units with computer controlled washout for ,000 Aud.

Advantages - Lower capital investment, polymers make almost clear stamps making them ideal for scrapbooking and card making. Stamp relief can be no ifs ands or buts controlled during exposure.

Disadvantages - Early polymers did not accept inks as well as polymers available today, this along with being new technology caused first resistance to polymer stamps.

Summary

Most large stamp manufacturers have a mix of the above equipment. The unmounted rubber stamp dies produced with any of these manufacturing methods can be cut up and affixed to straightforward hand stamps, dater stamps or self inking stamps. Craft stamps are Regularly affixed to wooden blocks or in the case of polymer stamps affixed to clear acrylic blocks with adhesives or InstaGrip mounting mat. Varied manufactures produces stamp mounts. Astron Industries in Australia builder the clear hand stamp 'Vuestamp' and also distribute the Ideal range of self inking mounts. Other brands of self inking mounts are Trodat, Colop and Shiny.

How to Make Rubber Stamps: Comparing Methods of invent