Technology

The decoration of plastic, metal or wood surfaces through Hot stamping involves the transfer of foil decoration through application of heat and pressure. A silicone rubber die is able to conform to slight surface variations, imperfections and sinks that are inherent in moulded plastic parts. The silicone rubber die is thus able to make contact with the surface to be printed at a lower pressure as compared to metal dies. The ability to compensate for surface irregularities also permits excellent repeatability when hot stamping with silicone rubber dies.

On plastic surfaces, hot stamping using silicone rubber dies gives a "printed look" vs a "branded look". Very fine details to broad areas coverage is possible even on the same die. If a metallic or wood grain marking is desired, hot stamping is still the only known decorating process that can achieve this on plastic, metal or wood. Our silicone rubbers are also good for stamping on the new generation of tough plastics and also on polycarbonate and acrylic.

Silicone dies can be made quickly and inexpensively from photoengraved moulds or when very fine quality is required, from precision engraved moulds. Additionally when more than one die is required, duplicate dies can be made very easily. This represents a huge cost savings as compared to metal dies where the entire engraving process has to be repeated when multiple metal dies are required. Our silicone rubber dies have excellent heat and pressure endurance, excellent heat recovery and release properties. Our silicone rubber has been specially formulated for hot stamping applications where excellent heat stability and durability are required. Our high heat conducting silicone rubbers also allow usage on faster press speeds and automated machines. Our silicone rubbers have also been used in heat sealing and embossing applications and even as component parts in special machine assemblies.

Hot stamping is a dry process requiring no solvents or inks and the parts can be handled immediately after decorating. The lower pressure required in printing means that smaller presses can be used along with lighter fixtures. By using transfer foils for hot stamping, multi-colour decorations can be done with a single stamping process greatly increasing output for mass-produced items.

Glossary of Terms :

Durometer - Hardness of the silicone rubber as measured on the Shore A scale. The larger the number, the harder the rubber.
 
 
Hot Stamping products
Our silicone rubber are specially formulated to provide exceptionally good heat transfer and also higher resilience to damage. The high band strength of our rubber to the base substrate provides for longer-lasting and better performing products.
 
 
Silicone Rubber Sheets
Used in decoration of raised areas, raised images, decorative banding on containers and heat sealing.
Available in different rubber & aluminium substrate thickness
Rubber hardness from 40-90 Shore A Durometer
All our sheets are precision ground to exacting flatness & thickness
Also available with textured surface, DoubleDuro®
Customised mounting & trimming
 
 
Silicone Rubber Rollers
Used in decoration of large flat or contoured surfaces, banding on caps and bottles and continuous hot stamping applications.
Available in many lengths, internal & external diameters in straight or contoured profiles
Rubber hardness from 40-90 Shore A Durometer
Precision ground for concentricity with excellent surface finishing
Can be made coreless or onto cores of steel or aluminium
Reconditioning & special custom built rollers also available
 
Flat Rubber Dies
Used in image printing on flat surfaces and decorative banding on containers & caps.
Rubber hardness from 40-90 Shore A Durometer & DoubleDuro®
Available in different aluminium substrate & rubber thickness
Customised mounting, trimmings & other substrate materials available
 
 
Contoured Rubber Dies
Used in surface decoration of raised area and image printing on curved surfaces.
Rubber hardness from 40-90 Shore A Durometer & DoubleDuro®
Die backing in aluminium or other materials Digitized contours for perfect match to product surface
Customised mounting & trimmings available
 
 
Metal Hot Stamping Die
Used to produce "branded" effect on flat or contoured surfaces. Best for long production runs, high pressure, high temperature applications.
High Precision engraving in steel, brass or other materials
Flat or digitized contoured surfaces for perfect product match
Image can be deep or shallow, with almost verical sidewalls
Straight, Curved or patterned Hairline dies with different pitches
Available with a silicone rubber layer for a degree of flex during prints
Matching male and female die set for embossing applications
Cylinder or drum engraving also available for continuous printing
 
 
 
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