Producing photopolymer plates for embossing enables to achieve excellent results at a low cost. Here come some advice and further details from our specialized technicians, who have been assisting plate trade shops and embossers for over twenty years.
How does the process work?
It’s very simple. A “female” (positive) and a “male” (negative) film are created. The profile of the female die is more open than the other, also depending on paper grammage. When the two plates are matched, the embossed pattern is created on the paper or paperboard sandwiched between them.
What type of photopolymer plate can be used?
The most commonly used thicknesses range from 0.73 to 1.57, depending on the relief that is to be obtained and on the thickness of the paper. The plate can be either steel- or polyester-based. It is important to check its hardness.
What photopolymer plates would you suggest for embossing?
|
Harndess |
Miraclon Plate Type |
Base |
Suggested Thicknesses |
| Shore D 75° | M | Steel | 0,73 & 1,75 |
| Shore D 60° | D | Steel | 0,83 & 0,94 |
| Shore D 75° | D | Polyester | 0,80 & 0,94 |
| Shore D 60° | D | Polyester | 1,75 |
Placed into rotary machines that speed up the printing process and consequently cut production costs, Miraclon D plates enable to achieve excellent embossing results.
Miraclon plates are available at Ditom’s stock in different formats, from 210×297 to 594×841. For many of them, bigger formats can also be ordered.
How long does the process take?
Washout, drying and post-exposure times are the same as in Miraclon plates for label printing. We suggest exposing the female die for a shorter time, so that its shoulders are more vertical and the plate is etched deeper.
What happens with thin lines?
In this case, the female photopolymer plate is not washed thoroughly. The black line of the plate can be made thicker, if need be.
What are the limits?
The thickness and hardness of the support can become a limit to the use of photopolymer plates in embossing.
Can embossing and foil stamping be done simultaneously?
Definitely, but in this case brass plates must be used. Matched with a counter die made of a plastic material, they enable to carry out embossing and foil stamping in only one step.
Please do not hesitate to contact us at customercare@ditom.it, our specialized technicians will be more than happy to give you further information.