Getting the Right Impression

Another innovative and highly successful method of preserving edge sharpness and in reducing set-up is the insertion of an "Elastomer" or a layer of compressible material into the platen stack. These materials can be placed behind the cutting die or under the cutting anvil. Their role is to act as a leveling device to absorb the inevitable variation in the die and cutting anvil flatness, and to compensate for uneven platen mechanism wear. Pioneers amongst this group are X-Print, the Wilson Tyler Group, and Carton Craft Die Supply. As with other methods of press leveling these techniques require simple but key changes to the mostly ineffective make-ready methods currently in use.