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