Making Hot Stamping Plates with the MB-100

Set Image for Hot Stamping

The original hot stamping image can be prepared in many different ways. The preferred method is to use a personal computer and a simple "desktop publishing" software program along with a laser printer (600 dpi or greater density) for good image resolution. Customer provided copy needs to be scanned for printing by the laser printer. To make a negative with the exposure unit, the original copy must be laser printed on vellum paper. Vellum is translucent, allowing light to pass through. Simply insert our laser printer compatible vellum paper in the paper tray and print!

Using the MB-100 Exposure Unit

The vellum original is placed in the exposure unit along with a piece of "JMP Daylight Safe Negative Film." After exposure to ultraviolet light for about a minute the negative film is sprayed with a water-based developer solution. Then it is swished with a soft cotton pad and rinsed with running tap water. Just like that, an exceptionally high quality negative is made.

Once dry, the negative is placed over the photopolymer plate. A sheet of glass is clamped over the negative and photopolymer material. Exposure to the UV light is about three minutes.

Washing of the photopolymer plate is done by hand with warm water and a soft scrub brush. No detergent is required. About five minutes are required to thoroughly wash a plate.

The convection oven built into the machine is used to dry the plate. Temperature is set to about 190ºF and the drying cycle takes about 40 minutes. Then the plate is reinserted in the exposure drawer for a five minute post exposure cycle under the UV light.

Negative materials can be cut to size with ordinary scissors. Photopolymer sheet material is supplied pre-cut to the proper size for your Phase II Hot Stamping Machine or can be supplied in full sheets that you can cut with a band saw.

Polymer Plus MB-100
MB-100 Supplies
Phase II Hot Stamping Units
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