Duplexing paper, what to squeeze it with?
For those of you who duplex sheets after printing, what do you use as a press after aligning the front and back sheet? It seems ridiculous that the smallest potdevin rotary press costs almost $7k. Just stacking the paper and adding weights on top isn’t the solution I’m looking for, but using a soft brayer on every sheet isn’t ideal either. Anybody have a good semi-automated solution?
Have you considered (if your sheets are small enough) a small motorized pasta press?
Daniel, What type of adhesive are you using? and what are the quantities, sheet size and stock you are working with?
Haha never thought of a pasta press!
I’m mostly running 5x10 sheets of 110# lettra and using the potdevin p-200 glue
Why wouldn’t stacking the glued sheets and pressing it work? A paper press is the traditional solution. When I duplexed my business cards I didn’t have access to a paper, nipping or copy press so I stacked the cards in even piles, put a piece of plywood over them, and put my wife’s largest cast-iron dutch oven on top of it. Worked great. As an aside, I was using Super 77 spray adhesive.
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Michael Hurley
Titivilus Press
Memphis, TN
If it is available, a small vacuum frame works great, you can place several sheets, plus stack them 5 or 10 high and it only takes several minutes per load.
*I’m not looking for a fight about impression*
The main reason for doing this process is to yield a double thick card with no bruising on the back. On some of the heavier designs with flood coats or large solids the back of the sheet is irregular. I want to make sure once the cards are trimmed that every edge is completely mounted to the other.
They are available on ebay from time to time. Sometimes you can get a great deal. Right now there is one for under $4,000
Daniel- Seriously, http://www.webstaurantstore.com/weston-01-0601-w-electrical-pasta-machin...
At 129.00, what do you have to lose?
I think mephits is on the right track.
I run Pot Devins with hot and cold glue and I usually pass the glued sheets through a pressing roller. I always stack and weight them for 18-24 hours so the sheets lay flat and the glue cures. At times I have eliminated the pressing roller so I would not compromise the printed impression, and just quickly smoothed them down with a clean paper towel then applied weights, with no noticeable effect in the finished product quality such as delaminating or stock separation.
once I start the process I can get the per piece cycle down to about 6 seconds or close to 600 an hour.
Jon Drew/Mpls
Hi Daniel. On a bit unrelated topic. Isn’t the P-200 dextrin based glue? Isn’t it brown? I’ve recently tried it and found that it leaves an ever so thin layer between the two sheets. Specially if it’s white.
What would be the main advantage to use dextrin based instead of PVA ?
I’m experimenting with it now with both the p200 & p300, initially I do not like the p200 because it takes so long to dry. The p300 (white) smells like elmers glue and seems to dry better. I’m thinking I should have tried the 201 also.
I ended up getting this laminating press on ebay for $100 and it’s pretty spectacular. The pressure adjustment is plenty accurate and the rollers are a nice stiff rubber, but not too hard.
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That seems like a great tool. Is it all metal? The side walls seem a bit plastic-like. I fear it might break.
Also if there was one with a motor that’d the ideal solution for us, but I haven’t seen this type of inexpensive laminator with a motor.
The FleaBay description for these says the frame is all metal, though it doesn’t say what kind. I expect for the kind of usage Daniel is putting it to, the frame will be plenty rigid enough. I have to admit I’m kind of tempted by one myself. I’m betting I could rig up a treadle to drive the wheel and have both hands free to feed stock. Hmmm……
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Michael Hurley
Titivilus Press
Memphis, TN
It is all metal, I’m guessing cast aluminum as a magnet doesn’t stick to it. it’s not like you’re using it as an etching press, it just needs to gently push 2 pieces of paper together. I think it works better than a pasta roller :)
The last thing I’d want is a treadle on this thing! Maybe a small direct drive electric motor.
I thought of a small motor as well, but my thought was that I’d have more speed control with a manual treadle. Since I don’t have any direct experience with the unit, though, I can’t say for sure how it would work.
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Michael Hurley
Titivilus Press
Memphis, TN