Metallic Elephant Stamping and Embossing Dies

 

Metallic Elephant Press 

A & G Engraving, Inc. in Los Angeles, the largest engraver on the west coast, has been producing foil stamping dies, embossing dies and counters, and deboss dies out of magnesium and copper for over 45 years.

We produce dies for all kinds of presses, and we now are a supplier of dies for the Metallic Elephant Press.

 

 

We can help you set up your graphic files to match the pre-drilled mounting plate on your press and recommend you on the most economical way to purchase your dies.

We do have a Metallic Elephant KSF series 3 hot stamp press in house and are remarkably familiar with the options needed for your press.

Please contact us at aandgengraving@gmail.com. We are located at 3846 S. Santa Fe Ave., Los Angeles, CA  90058.

Care and Maintenance of Metal Dies

 

Often, A & G Engraving, Inc. gets asked how to care, maintain, and store foil stamping and embossing dies to get the maximum life and printability out of the die.

 

All metal dies will oxidize.

 

Copper dies over time will patina or discolor to a blue or a light green color.  Copper dies will not react with water but will react slowly to the atmospheric oxygen and may look bad, but it will still be printable.

 

Magnesium dies will also oxidize but at a more reactive level.  Water and atmospheric oxygen will pit the die surface and sometimes leave a residue on the die that will destroy the printing surface of the die.

 

To avoid these chemical reactions, it is advisable to make sure all metal dies are cleaned and dried after each use and stored in a room that is dry and not exposed to high humidity.

 

Wrap all your dies in paper or cloth and place them in an airtight sealable plastic bag. 

 

Simple care and proper storage will protect your dies for years.  

The Art of Choosing The Right Die

MAGNESIUM dies are primarily used for flat foil stamped images, flat single, multi-level embossed, or debossed images.  The beveled edges of the embossed or debossed image will appear a little softer and not quite as crisp as those produced copper or brass dies.  Shorter runs and routine commercial work are especially suited for a magnesium die. Deep etch magnesium dies are the perfect choice when debossing leather or vinyl.

COPPER dies are used for the same application when longer runs, or more durability, is desired.  Fine type, detail, and reverses hold better with copper. Copper dies are generally more expensive than magnesium at the outset.  Press make-ready is usually quicker with copper dies because copper is a better conductor of heat.

BRASS dies can be used for all applications.  They are usually the highest priced of the three types.  Brass dies are machined rather than chemically etched as are magnesium and copper dies.  Brass dies are exceptionally durable, and the life of a die may be endless as brass can be reworked or repaired.  Fine details hold well when foil stamping with brass and brass dies are especially effective with combination dies.  

When sculpted, multi-layered, rounded, chiseled or special effects are required, brass is the die that can be used.  When mixtures of depth or edges or crisp bevels are needed, brass dies perform well.  Brass will provide a superior product when various interpretations of artwork are required, including shapes, textures, or edges.  Close registration among dies or to color is held closely with brass dies.

COUNTERS. Precast fiberglass counters are used with embossing dies to assure that all the image detail is transferred to the stock.  The counters push the stock into the cavity of the die allowing the stock to bottom out thus achieving the full embossed depth.  Counters are usually registered in position to the metal emboss die by a drill and pin system, or they can be taped into position for registration.