Introduction: Custom Laser Engraved Rubber Stamp

By More Laser Applications
About: Hi. My name is Adelle and I work for Trotec Laser, Inc. In my spare time I enjoy sharing projects for people to use on their lasers.

Customize packaging quickly and easily. Apply your logo to paper bags, envelopes, and cartons. This solution is especially useful for small quantities.

Supplies

  • CO2 laser cutter (We used a Trotec Speedy 360 120W with a 1.5" lens)
  • Aluminum cutting grid table
  • Stamp rubber trodat, AERO+ 5mm, A4 (available at the link below)
  • Stamp trodat professional 5212, 4.6" x 2.6" (116mm x 70mm) (available at the link below)
  • Various paper craft bags

www.trodatusa.com

Step 1: Import/Create Laser File

Create a design or use our free template. If you decide to make your own, note that solid, simple motifs and fonts work best. Avoid too fine of lines - a lot of material will be removed, and the lines can become skewed.

Print Settings*

  • Dimension: Professional 5212 r user-defined size 4.6" x 2.6" (116mm x 70mm)
  • Process Mode: Stamp
  • Resolution: 500 dpi
  • Cut Line: Optimized
  • Halftone: Black-white
  • Shoulders: Medium
  • Others: Optimized geometries

Laser Processing Tip

When looking to create a clean and detailed stamp impression onto paper, it is important to create “shoulders.” Shoulders will allow the characters and letters of a stamp text plate to offer more stability at the base. Depending on the intricacy and fineness of the stamp, the JobControl® software has the following shoulder settings already pre-programmed and ready for selection:

  • Steep: best suited for larger areas
  • Medium: used for standard text stamps
  • Flat: recommended for finer fonts

Attachments

Step 2: Laser Process of Rubber

Make the parameter settings. Our suggested parameters may vary depending on the laser machine used and the available laser power.

Insert the laser rubber Aero+ 5 mm into the machine. Make sure it is secure since the rubber will be vacuumed off after each pass. Below are a few ways to keep your application in place:

  • An extraction system with good extraction performance (Atmos Duo Plus)
  • Gluing the rubber plate with adhesive tape
  • Use of an adhesive mat

Cover the remaining work surface to create vacuum

Laser Engraving Process - Four Passes:
Set the "Cut" to "Skip" in the parameter settings. Focus and position the laser, then start the first engraving pass. After engraving, vacuum away any dust. Now repeat the engraving process three more times.

Note: focus again before each pass (on the new level) and vacuum the stamp plate after each pass.

Laser Processing Alternative - Three passes:
The engraving for this stamp can also be done in three passes using a resolution of 1,000 dpi.

Laser Process - Cut: After the engraving the cut takes place. Activate "Cut CO2"" in the parameter settings and skip "Engrave CO2".


Laser Parameters - Engraving*

  • Color: Black
  • Power (%): 100.00
  • Speed (%): 15.00
  • ppi/Hz: 1000
  • Passes: 1
  • Air Assist: On (maximum air assist)
  • Z-Offset: 0.00
  • Direction: Top down
  • Advance: Optimized Quality

Laser Parameters - Cutting*

  • Color: Red
  • Power (%): 100.00
  • Speed (%): 0.50
  • ppi/Hz: 1000
  • Passes: 1
  • Air Assist: On
  • Z-Offset: 0.00

Step 3: Assembly

Remove the laser rubber from the laser device and clean it with a fine brush and water. After drying, glue the stamp plate onto the stamp. Stamp a few times on scrap paper. Now the stamp is ready for use!