There are three known rubber stamp manufacturing methods: vulcanized, laser engraved, and polymer stamp. Choosing the best among these methods will give you the best output when you engage on this venture.
Vulcanized Rubber Stamps
Vulcanized rubber stamps usually look like the traditional red rubber stamp that almost everyone is familiar to. In 1890, Charles Schultze in New Orleans, USA original the first vulcanizing press. At present, when mass production of rubber stamps is the target, vulcanizing is considered by many because of its effectiveness of being cost-less. With the use of moulder, the group of stamps is manufactured. This style is appropriate when the same sign is needed to be used for more than a single time in stamp production.
To make a mould, a master plate is primarily needed. The master plate is made of metal or polymer. The master plate should contain a raised artwork so that the impression is made. It is important that the master plate is saved for future purposes because when the manufacturer again and again comes up with new master plate, his cost of manufacture also goes up. When the master plate is hard-pressed to a matrix board, the mould is then made. The rubber is then produced. Vulcanizing (heat and pressure) is functional to the master plate and matrix board. The matrix only adapts the image of the relief impressed by the master plate. This only stiffens during cooling process.
Making rubber stamps is a uncomplicated process when a mould is readily available. The unprocessed rubber stamp gum is positioned on the mould and is put in the stamp press. This time, hydraulic pressure is applied to the rubber stamp and the mould from the stamp press. This makes the rubber to soften into the spaces of the mould which has the images and text. Usually the curing and hardening process acquires around 10 minutes. After curing the rubber, it is detached from the mould and then divided into single stamps so that they can be mounted after. The vulcanizing of stamps may cost around $12,000. This is one of the advantages of the vulcanizing system since the cost is not so expensive even for mass production and the ink are impressed easily. However, one limitation of this is that the amount of money to spend for the production of master plates and moulders for the production of traditional designed stamps.
Rubber Stamps that are Laser Engraved
The unprocessed rubber that is conventionally being utilized for vulcanizing stamp dies is appropriate for the laser stamp dies. Why? Laser processing demands for a thick and perfectly unblemished facade/surface to come up with impressive image from a stamp die. Also, a very particular process of curing must be done to the rubber prior to exposure to temperature of a laser beam.
The agility of the laser, the wattage, and the quality of the rubber density establishes the quality of engraving. For instance and engraver of 50 or 100w engraves more effectively and quickly compared to a 25w engraver. Usually the engraver that has smaller wattage still requires double effort engraving to obtain good results, taking away blemish dust (that resulted from repeated laser cutting) with a reliable exhaust infiltration system is important. Usually, a specially built for purpose of both drawing, and cutting rubber, installing, and sustaining a reliable dust cleaning system is already available for the CO2 laser engraving machines.
The uncovered facade or surfaces such as mirrors and lenses should be maintained and cleaned regularly because failure to do so, the dust and dirt may be a hindrance to the total performance of the laser of the operation. The computer directly controls the lasers and this is considered advantageous because traditional style stamps and produced easily. But it should be noted that this process of engraving demands high investment and constant maintenance because of the sophisticated process itself.
Liquid Polymer Rubber Stamps
When liquid polymer rubber stamp is converted to solid, it is amazing how the process is done. With the use of two sheets of glass undergoing the UV light process (that goes into a negative that consists the artwork that will harden the polymer), the polymer stamps are produced. A water based means make the manufacturing of negative even a non-complicated process.
Basically, the images/text should be printed and impressed onto vellum (a seem to be translucent film similar to a paper). A laser printer is most appropriate to use to come up with the best quality of stamp. The negatives that are water based can be easily cleaned after use. At present, sachets are also devised to contain polymer, they are now taking the place of traditional method of utilizing foam tape. How is the process done? The negative of the image you want to impress and the polymer sachet are placed in between the sheets of glass that are spaced 2-3mm apart. Then, this is exposed in the machine for a few minutes. After the exposure, the sachet is opened, then the unexposed polymer are washed away then the die is returned back to the machine for curing of about 10 minutes. After the curing, the sheets are individually divided. There are many sizes of polymer sachets that one can choose from. It will take about 30 minutes for the processing time of a batch of polymer stamps.
For about $3,500, polymer stamp making machines can be bought. This unit is Australian made but imported units cost about $15,000 because it is computer controlled. One advantage of this method is that it demands for a lower capital for investment, it is also good to use for scrapbooking because the stamps produced using this method is very clear and of high quality. Despite this, the traditional polymers did not accept ink but modern technology does.
Generalization
For a stamp production and manufacturing business to become successful, there should be variations of equipments to use. When the rubber stamp that is not yet mounted may be cut up and attached to non-sophisticated hand stamps, dater stamps or stamps that are self-inking. Stamps that are made for crafts are attached to wooden blocks or to transparent acrylic blocks with the use of adhesive or InstaGrip mounting mat.