With a Trotec laser machine, you can efficiently produce laser engraved stamp text plates. The following step-by-step tutorial outlines this process and shows you how creating the perfect stamp can be completed in just 3 simple steps. We also provide you with some tips on what to consider when laser processing a rubber stamp application.
3 simple steps for creating the perfect stamp with your laser machine
Step 1: Create the stamp template using your graphics program
To create a stamp, inverting or mirroring the graphic in the graphics program is not required and you should design the layout as it will be printed on the paper. By selecting the “Stamp” process type in the printer driver, the graphic will automatically set to be mirrored or be inverted for laser processing. You can even set the printer driver to automatically cut the cutting line, so that it does not have to be specially drawn as well.
Step 2: Printer settings
Select the following settings in the printer driver:
Size: Enter the size of the stamp. If Trodat stamp rubber is being used, then simply select it from the list Materials: Rubber - here, we use the preprogrammed and tested laser parameters from the material database. Process type: Stamp - the layout for the engraving is automatically inverted and mirrored Resolution: 600 dpi or higher Cutting line: optimized - the cutting line is adapted to the layout, which prevents an impression of the layout background Raster algorithm: Black-white Shoulders: Standard: medium
Step 3: Laser processing
Start the laser process and when finished, remove any excess dirt or debris from the rubber stamp with water and a brush or in the ultrasonic bath. Then, assemble the final product by positioning the lasered rubber into the stamp.
Things to consider when laser processing rubber stamps with a laser machine
What engraving depth needs to be achieved to produce clean impressions?
The JobControl® material database stores the recommended laser parameters for processing Trodat Aero rubber stamps, so the ideal engraving depth is set and achieved each time. If you are processing rubber from another manufacturer, make sure that the engraving depths are at least 1.1 mm for a good impression.
When looking to create a clean and detailed stamp impression onto paper, it is important to create “shoulders.” Shoulder will allow the characters and letters of a stamp text plate to offer more stability at the base. Depending on the intricacy and fineness of the stamp, the JobControl® software has the following shoulder settings already preprogrammed and ready for selection:
Steep: best suited for larger areas
Medium: used for standard text stamps
Flat: recommended for finer fonts
Why an extraction system should be used when processing stamp rubber
When laser processing stamp rubber, an excess of dust and odor will typically be released. This will require the use of a proper extraction system to efficiently remove any excess debris particles. The extraction system should be equipped with a sufficient proportion of activated carbon to filter the odors. The stamp plate should also be engraved from the top down, to ensure that the engraving quality is not sacrificed as a result from dust particles.
Laser engraving rubber will require relatively high power output to reach a certain level of productivity, and the more power that the laser system is equipped with, the faster the job can be completed. The JobControl® software offers a “link” function, which if activated, will set small connecting bridges automatically between the laser-cut and engraved text plates. Using this feature allows you to engrave and clean an entire DIN A4 stamp plate in a single process and once completed, you can simply break each individual text plate out. This process will drastically increase your output compared to creating an individual stamp motif.
Laser engraving rubber text plates
Additional information on laser engraving stamps
Using lasers for rubber stamp production offers unbeatable advantages in comparison with other technologies. You can engrave textplates for stamps, seal presses, signs, business cards and many more items.
