Can you use regluar epoxy for counter force embossing die

Looking at having a go at making my own embossing die and was wondering if normal epoxy glue will work.

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I have used Auto Body epoxy with some success. Also hot melt adhesive if the area being embossed is fairly small in size.

John Henry
Cedar Creek Press

I used the counter mix from NA Graphics and it worked well. I have yet to do to much more but want to try more.

Are you making the die or the counter?

Making the die from aluminium.

Just posting an update, I tried polyurethane resin and had great success creating the counter die from it. A few letters broke off so i need to maybe use more release agent but its certainly workable

2 part epoxy forms a reasonably hard material for the counter but is a glue so is of course very sticky and will adhere to the die so suggest using paste wax rubbed liberally on the die and hand buffed just before pouring. Pour the epoxy on the die and then cover with a piece of fiberglass or other similar material of the appropriate thickness and close press. Then after the epoxy hardens, remove from press and before you pull them apart drill 2 registration holes through and through, outside the image area of course, at a diameter of a plastic straw to keep register for future setups. I see that plastic straws are being banned to reduce pollution so you may need to find some other object for this purpose. Also you can use a Dremel tool to remove un-needed epoxy on areas outside the image to keep the embossing clean around the edges. You will need to protect yourself from the dust this creates as this dust is an inhalation hazard.
When creating your embossing die you may find that the deeper you try to make your images and letters the more shoulder you need to create. Meaning adding several degrees of angle from straight up and down. The increased shoulder not only lets the counter release from the die easier when making the counter but also gives a surface on the finished paper emboss that reflects light and gives contrast to the image so is very advantageous.