| -link"> | | | | innovation where polymer is injected into a flat |
| Rubber stamps made from liquid polymer has now | | | | rectangular sealed bag; this new product does away |
| been made easy with the introduction of liquid | | | | with backing sheets, foam tape and coverlay film |
| polymer in a bag. Learn the basics of polymers and | | | | normally required for stamp production. Processing |
| how this liquid converts into a solid for making rubber | | | | times are reduced by about 50% when using these |
| stamps. | | | | new bags; this reduced labour cost negates the |
| How can you make a rubber stamp from a liquid? | | | | extra cost of the bagged product. The bags are |
| You will be surprised how many everyday objects | | | | available in a range of sizes to suit production |
| start off as liquid polymers. Read on and learn more | | | | demand. Polymer in a bag has also eliminated the |
| about polymer stamp making. | | | | problem of air bubbles during processing; this |
| What are Polymers? | | | | common objection to polymer stamp making has |
| Tiny molecules strung in long repeating chains form | | | | now been overcome. |
| polymers. Why the chemistry lesson? Well for one | | | | Where the Polymer Rubber Stamp Industry is |
| thing, your body is made of them. DNA - the genetic | | | | Heading |
| blueprint that defines people and other living things - | | | | You have two distinct markets for rubber stamps. |
| is a polymer. Proteins and starches in the foods we | | | | The first is the traditional business stamp market |
| eat, the wheels on our skateboards, and even the | | | | where stamps are affixed to handles and self inking |
| tyres on our bikes and cars are polymers. In fact, we | | | | units. The second market that is growing rapidly is |
| are surrounded by polymers every day, everywhere | | | | the craft industry; these stamps are affixed to |
| we go. Polymers also form one of our recyclables, | | | | wooden or clear acrylic blocks and used for card |
| which is good for the environment. | | | | making and scrapbooking. Craft stamps such as an |
| Polymer Curing - How stamps are made with | | | | artist's range of stamps that follow a theme are |
| chemistry! | | | | traditionally made using the vulcanizing process due to |
| In polymer chemistry and process engineering, curing | | | | it being more suited to mass production of the same |
| refers to the toughening or hardening of a polymer | | | | stamp. Nowadays card makers want custom designs |
| material by the cross-linking of polymer chains; this is | | | | and clear see through stamps of which polymer is |
| brought about by chemical additives, ultraviolet | | | | making some significant inroads into this market. |
| radiation or heat. Rubber stamp polymer is supplied as | | | | Another problem has arisen where polymer 'jelly' |
| a liquid and is cured using ultraviolet radiation. Although | | | | stamps are being sold to the craft industry, these |
| natural sunlight can cure polymer, liquid stamp | | | | polymer stamps have no structural backing allowing |
| polymer requires precise exposure to UV light to | | | | the polymer stamp to adhere to an acrylic block |
| make rubber stamps. | | | | without adhesives. In theory this works well, the |
| Polymer Stamps - Make your own stamps without | | | | problem is that distortion of the stamp can occur as |
| any skills whatsoever! | | | | well as the possibility that the stamp can tear. |
| How many times has this been said in the past! | | | | Thankfully a new clear silicone based product called |
| Polymer stamp production has always attracted | | | | InstaGrip has solved this problem so a polymer stamp |
| people trying to make a quick dollar out of the | | | | with a sound structural backing can be adhered in the |
| process. We have seen salespeople selling briefcase | | | | same way, without adhesive. |
| size polymer stamp machines to the unsuspecting | | | | So where is the industry heading? |
| stationery store and newsagent owner plus more | | | | Business stamping seems to be just as strong as it |
| recently the DIY kits sold over the internet aimed at | | | | always has been, with the introduction of the bagged |
| craft people. If you are serious about stamp | | | | polymer many more manufacturers will be offering |
| production you should be wary of some of the claims | | | | polymer stamps due to the bag's labour saving |
| made about stamp making using liquid polymer. | | | | benefits and the lower entry cost for polymer |
| Polymer in a bag | | | | processing equipment. |
| The most exciting development of recent is a new | | | | |