I also saw the process for making the photopolymer stamps. The stamp molds are a very large plastic sheet (maybe 5′ x 3.5′ to make 6-8 sets at a time?) laid on a table. An arm sweeps over it to fill it with photopolymer “goo” (really – the technical term my guide used), then a mask is laid over it, and then a lid is closed and light is shined onto the goo. Think a tanning bed for stamps! Then they get washed in a separate machine, and more light curing before being cut.
The day I was visiting there were 2 women working in the ink department filling ink bottles. I had always envisioned a long, mechanized assembly line with hundreds of bottles of ink running through at a time. In reality, there is a nice bit of automated machinery for filling a precise amount of ink, and for putting labels on, but bottles are hand-placed into the machines 2 at a time, and the nozzles and caps are put on by hand. As it happened, ink pads weren’t being worked on while I was there.
I did get to see some cardstock being cut on a huge, machine-powered (but human-aligned) paper cutter…all of us would love to have that machine for class prep! I also saw the automated paper counting/stacking line that makes our paper packs in operation.
As I love both Stampin’ Up! and industrial tours of all kinds this was right up my alley! I really enjoyed getting to meet several of the people who make our products, and to see the processes. If you’re ever passing through southern Utah I encourage you to stop in and see if you can get a tour!
Blog-iversary Blog Candy!
Retired Rubber Rummage Sale
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Nancy’s Craft Room in Scottsdale
Stamps, dies, ribbon, embellishments, cardstock, Designer Series Paper, ink pads/refills/markers and more! Shop early for best selection. Cash and credit card/debit cards only.