Diecutting and embossing makeready on Kluge - first attempt
I tried my first test job this weekend with diecutting and embossing on my Kluge. Had to do a fair amount of platen levelling etc but eventually got it. It was ok but I am not sure I went about things the correct way. In addition I don’t have any of the makeready supplies so was looking for advice on what to buy.
I have been trying to read the forums on makeready but I am confused about a few things.
1) Should I put a sheet of paper behind the die in the chase? If so then what is this used for? Do I apply makeready tape for low spots…or is it better to build up the die itself?
2) I have a 1/8” plate on my Kluge. Someone said to diecut directly on it. I see that many people seem to use jackets, tympan paper etc. Right now I was putting packing under the plate but I guess I would put packing under the tympan paper instead? What is best way to adhere tympan…tape?
3) I saw some articles regarding using carbon paper, transferring an image etc and applying makeready tapes. Is the benefit of this to make a reusable makeready sheet with built up areas for future die cutting.
4) I went from die cutting to embossing but had to adjust the platen levelling quite a bit as the embossing dies were to close. I was thinking I should level based on embossing and then put on another 1/16” plate or something when I go to die cut to get closer as I dont want to keep adjusting levelling if possible. Thoughts?
I intend to use the same die quite a bit (scoring and diecutting blades) and it is about 13x19 in size so fairly large. I need to get efficient at the makeready so looking for helpful solutions. My test this weekend was using a much smaller die.
I plan to order a bunch of supplies…guess I need makeready tape, shim tape, tympan paper (or can I use something else), etc.
thanks.
My comment is only on one item.
Butcher paper will work in place of tympan paper. Its function is only to hold the gauge pins and to cover anything you have used under it for makeready.
Using paper under the die tends to not work for very long, as the rule tends to cut through the paper. Also note that forms will tend to settle in and “fade” in the first couple of hundred impressions and will need spotting up as you go.
Steel shim tape is available for a number of suppliers and is generally the best solution to dealing with low spots in a cutting die. If you can die-cut directly onto a jacket, transparent tape (Scotch brand of equivalent) does a great job of spotting up the jacket, but becomes problematic if more than two thicknesses are required.