Polymer Stamp Making Process
The process of making a polymer stamp is a fairly straightforward, once you know the basics. Simply put,Photopolymer is reactive to UV light and will harden when exposed. Knowing this, a negative can be made that allows the UV light to show through only where the stamp image is to be. The negative and polymer is exposed and the excess polymer washed away, leaving your custom rubber stamp.


Design the Negative The first step in making a polymer stamp is to create the negative. This will allow UV light only to penetrate the polymer where you choose. To create the negative, first either select or draw a black and white image that has bold lines or shapes. The reason for this is fine lines do not survive the washout process well, and will not make a strong impression in clay. If you are only looking to use your stamp like a traditional rubber stamp you can get away with having finer detail on the stamp. Your image must be strong black and white contrast, no grayscale or shading. Once you have your image you need to translate that into a negative. That means making the black parts white and the white parts black. This is easily done in most graphics programs, and it is usually listed as an “invert colors” command. You can also design you image in negative format by hand if that appeals to you more, although it is a much more time consuming process.


Print the Negative The final step in creating the image is translating the image to transparency film.If you are creating your image by hand then you will need to paint the negative space of your design with opaque paint. Paint pens work very well for this. If you are going to print your negative from a computer,you had better use laser transparency film and laser printer to avoid negative not opaque enough to block the excess light.
Setting up for Exposure Once the negative is created, you can start to prepare the exposing. It is a good idea to have everything laid out and ready because the photopolymer is light reactive, and will set up quickly one exposed, even to ambient light.Washout tank with warming water,soft brush.Cut the negative out of the larger sheet leaving at least 1/2 inch black border around the edge of the image with cut-off knife or hook knife.The edge of the polymer cut down cannot be curled, and you must keep it flat with layout. Or it will causing untight touch betwwen polymer and transparency film.
Exposing the Image With this preparation done you can now proceed with the exposure process. Paste printing side of negative with the polymer, and adhere the edge with transparent tape tightly.Set time for 40 seconds using ASC exposure unit. Turn on the switch, when the time is up, ultraviolet light is automatic off, the buzzer rings, turn off the switch. Take out the polymer. (exact developing times will vary from light to light,if you use other types of exposing machine, please do experiment in advance to master the best time of exposure).
Washing out the Stamp It is now time to start the washout process. Immediately peel the negative off of the polymer. Place the polymer image in the washout tank and gently scrub with fine bristle brush or soft toothbrush until all of the excess liquid polymer is dissolved from the stamp surface. Place the stamp under the UV light again to solidify about 6-8 minutes. This fully hardens the stamp, and makes it less tacky.Now you can mount your stampto use anywhere.
The complete process from printing your artwork to a marketable rubber stamp takes about 30mins.