How Paper Boxes Are Made / A practical and instructive book telling how the beginner may manufacture all kinds of paper boxes, with special chapters on the printing department for paper box plants, embossing, gold-leafing, label work, etc.

by Robert F. Salade

EMBOSSING COMPOUND

There are several good, “home-made” embossing compounds in use which will give first class results.

One compound is made of sodium silicate, Alabastine, and a small quantity of LePage glue, all mixed together to form a body like soft putty.

Another compound is made of sodium silicate, carbonated magnesia, and a small portion of LePage Glue, mixed to the consistency of soft putty.

An ordinary compound for a small counter die and a short run of embossing can be made of LePage glue, a small portion of sodium silicate, and plaster of Paris.

The first-mentioned compound is the best for heavy counter dies and long runs.

Fifth, after the compound has been mixed with the aid of a printers’ pallet knife, a thick layer of the composition is spread over the printed subject on the straw-board or news-board. Roughly, this layer of composition should be about one-eighth of an inch thick. Over this lay a sheet of French folio paper. Work rapidly so that the composition will not harden before an impression of the female die is taken on it.

Sixth, take a second sheet of French folio—a full size sheet—and lay this over the first sheet, holding an end of the second sheet of French folio in the right hand as an impression is taken. Now run the press slowly and pull half-a-dozen more impressions on the large, loose sheet of French folio, moving the sheet slightly as each impression is taken. The raised detail of the counter die should by this time stand up sharply.

Seventh, with a sharp make-ready knife cut away all parts of the embossing composition which have nothing to do with the detail of the subject. In other words, scrape away all composition which forms the blank edges of the counter die, working close to the raised detail of the subject.

Near the raised, detail of the subject, cut away the composition on a bevel.

Eighth, run the press at regular speed for about five minutes, allowing all of the fine lines in the female die to work up as perfectly as possible. After the detail has been “pounded up” sharply in this way, stop the press and with make-ready knife clear away any additional composition which may have “squeezed out” from the detail into the flat edges of the counter die.

Ninth, take still another sheet of French folio, large enough in size to cover the entire counter die, including blank edges. Cover one side of this sheet with a thin film of LePage glue, and then glue this sheet over the surface of the counter die. Take a number of impressions on this final sheet so that all detail will again work up sharply.

Tenth, the counter die is now complete. Allow it to stand and harden for a couple of hours before going ahead with the regular embossing.