Gabriela
Fri, 01/06/2012
Desycling Paper
This project is born from the idea to give a second life to paper (or other materials) through embossing (creating three-dimensional design or image on paper). I'm exploring the possibility of creating embossing molds with different materials in the Fablab and find possibilites to create graphics, textures, cuts to give a new purpose to paper and other materials.
In this case, I've created a mold with compact cardboard which can be used to emboss on different types of paper.
- Materials :
- -Design in Illustrator file
- -Compact cardboard karton parelgrijs of 4 mm thick the size depends on the size of your design. In this case I created an A4 mold
- -Paper ( any kind to experiment with)
- -Embossing machine ( there are many types on the market check your favorite 'hobby shop' ;-) online)
Process:
Check that your file is correct according to Fab Lab advice (http://fablab.waag.org/content/fablab-handy-guide)
Set you file in the laser Machine Laser Spirit GE (according to Fab lab instructions http://fablab.waag.org/machine/laser-cutter)
The settings I used for an A4 mold using this kind of cardboard are:
Speed : 25
Full Power: 100
PPi: 250
It is highly recommended to do a test first!
The laser machine will do the rest. For a mold like this one here below, it took about 50 minutes for it to be ready.
When your mold is ready, you should make a 'sandwich' with the embossing plates. Every embossing machine has different intstructions, but here's a suggestion:
It is important that the paper you want to emboss is between the plastic pad and the mold. This is what makes the embossing possible.
The next step is to pass your 'sandwich' through the embossing machine:
This is the result you will get after passing your 'sandwich' material through the embossing machine.
cardboard mold engraved paper
This is just a simple example to experiment with, but the possibilities are endless.
