Markem hot stamp press

This is a 1996 Markem LP-385 Mk. 2 hot stamp press. No longer supported by the manufacturer, most parts no longer being made, dead and scrapyard bound...until I came along. Not only did I get the machine operational, now I am running it. It has some stupid engineering, but it also has some really nice features, and it is my goal to know this machine inside and out.

The process consists of an engraved metal (usually zinc) printing plate which is heated (usually about 135c - 150c), It is impressed against "leaf foil", a very thin film with a pigment and a heat sensitive adhesive. This is pressed against the material to be printed (in this case I am printing bright silver on a dull silver material), then the print ram rises, the leaf foil advances to a clear spot, the web (portion being printed on) advances to the next position and the process is repeated.

Meanwhile to the right of the print ram is the cut ram. It uses a steel rule die and it cuts out the shape. The web advances out of the machine where the waste matrix (the strip with the holes) is collected and eventually discarded, while the printed labels are re-rolled below.

Hot stamp printing is unique in its ability to apply a shiny metallic foil imprint to a label or tag, a style that cannot be duplicated by water-based ink imprint processes. Labels and tags printed with hot stamp stand out among other labels and tags as elegant, sophisticated, and impressive. One limitation to hot stamp printing, however, is the inability to control imprint colors. The colors of dry ink used in hot stamping are predetermined by the manufacturer and cannot be altered to any other colors or shades.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Markem
• hot
• stamp
• printing
• foil
• leaf

[Huggy1959]

You've got to admit, I run much more good product than rejected and I'm getting better...

Figured I'd find you here...

And I've found others with Markem machines...

[j442o]

Bill Get to work and stop running rejected product!!!!!!!!!!!