Embossing Advice

Hi All

Anyone out there do embossing? I’m setting up a bevel emboss & can’t get the impression the same on the multiple up die we have.

It was suggested I try a ‘floating makeready’. I’ve been searching the key words on line but I’m not having any luck. Anyone familiar with this?

What kind of press are you using? Does it have heat? A floating makeready is where you tape a piece of paper to the platen. I like to use 25% rag bond paper. The counter for the die is taped to the die or if it has locating pins use those. Close the press up on impression to release the counter. You can use a spot makeready sheet under the paper to build up low areas. I usually cover the counter with a piece of mylar. If the mylar is too thick it will take some of the depth out. You will also want a makeready sheet under the platen. 

Hi Camille

I’m setting up on a Heidelberg Windmill & yes, I’m using heat. My concern or question here is that I typically use duploflex tape to mount my counter to the platen. If I place paper UNDER the counter, I’m concerned it will move/shift, possibly causing damage to the die or counter. This is a $600.00 die & I don’t want to screw it up! 

I can try your tips but they’d have to be over the counter, will this defeat the purpose?

Thank you for any tips!!

I’m sure this is moot by now, but I’ve done lots of embossing, so I thought I’d chime in. I often use a floating makeready, but I like to use a small piece of tympan paper for the base, because it’s strong and stable. Tape down all four edges securely before you stick the counter-die to it, and then slit one edge so you can slide small pieces of press packing underneath as needed. It’s nice if you can have .002″. 003″ and .004″ packing on hand. A thin sheet of mylar on top is handy to help preserve the counter, but it isn’t necessary and can reduce the crispness of the emboss. If you’re having trouble because you’re on the back edge of the platen and can’t get enough pressure, then you’ll need to mount some bearer blocks at the lower edge of the form to balance the load on the platen. 

Hi David, Thank you, yes, the job is done & gone but I’m still going to question movement/shift if I place anything UNDER the counter. Are you sure just tape would not cause any movement?

Yes. The counter actually tends to slip into place, not out of it, as long as it hasn’t been forcibly shifted. 

On jobs with combo dies, where I’m foiling and embossing at the same time, the integrity of the counter is critical, and I’ve used floating makeready then. I also buy two counters for those jobs, because they’re cheap when the die is being made, but hard to make later if you smash a counter. 

Thank you again, that’s good advice! I’ll give it a try.

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