Problems scoring Lettra
When I score Lettra and then fold it, the paper is “cracking” badly. It doesn’t matter if I score with or against the grain, the exact same thing happens. I usually score this paper using a Scor-It board, but have had it scored at a local printer and it still cracks. Help! I really love the look of this paper for my stationery line, but this cracking isn’t working for me. Anyone else having these problems? Any ideas why this is happening or how to fix it?
1. What is the stock weight?
2. What pt. creasing rule is used?
3. Are crease guides set too close?
4. Is press packing correct?
5. Following creasing, are you folding the stock whilst looking into the crease or looking at the rise?
Assuming the above checks out, a) wax the rule; b) dampen the crease line.
ella
Your problem is not uncommon if you are scoring and not creasing.Scoring to assist a fold is usually just a dent in the paper sometimes it’s okay. Creasing is using rule and a channel to mold the paper.Crease is obtained by having the rule hit the outside of the product that has channel matrix or hand cut counter underneath it. This creates a bead on the inside of the fold that prevents the outside from cracking.See one of my vids on youtube 937die. We regularly crease stock for commercial printers that do not have diecutting or letterpress equipment.Not enough room to explain in detail.Heidelberg platen manual touches on this you could find the page on boxcars site.Hope this helps
Mike
Hi Ella,
I have used creasing matrix on Cranes Lettra and it works perfectly - no cracking like you say (I know what you are talking about because the same thing happened to me)
ironfire
With what shall I wax it Dear Forme?
Ummm. Wax? Steal a candle from a tree-hugger (it will be unlit because candles contribute to global warming), then rub it along the metal rule. (The candle - not the hugger) Helps glide the metal over the fibre.
And MC is correct: scoring and creasing are words often misused; they have, however, different application. Font and type are (too)often misused as well.
Thanks for the replies- looks like I’m going to have to learn how to crease on the Windmill.
Dear forme,
You, on Sept. 1, on another thread:
“Take this enviro nonsense, and its inane buzzwords, elsewhere. This site is for those interested in the Black Art; not for those pushing personal/political/business agenda.”
I ask the same courtesy of you … “inane buzzwords” such as “tree-hugger” are tiresome. We come to this site to discuss printing; surely that can be accomplished without insults or political opining. Thanks.
And thanks for sharing your knowledge of printing.
I don’t think Forme was insulting. I find him very knowledgable. I personally love his replies.
You don’t need to learn to score on a Windmill! I score lettra on my C & P and it works fine. What you need to do is create a channel for the scoring rule to go into. How I did this was to take some thin brass rule and tape it to either side of the “middle” where the paper is scored. That way, when the scoring rule hits the paper There is a channel where the rule fits into on the back side of the paper (touching the tympan) This may sound confusing, but I actually learned about it on Briar Press. E-mail me and I’ll send you a photo of what I mean. Good luck! I was so happy to have figured this out- I think you will be too!
Were I pushing a personal/political/business agenda, Clothdog, you might well have a point. But I wasn’t - as anybody having a modicum of common sense would understand. However, you choose - for whatever reason(s) to see/take offence where none exists. Frankly, I really don’t care what you read into my postings nor that you take offense so easily. Should you truly want to read insult and/or political opining simply post another accusatory bleating.
And, you are welcome.
Hi, If you take a couple of two point rules and space them out so a thin piece of copper wire will fit in between tape the wire to the typen sheet and go to town the paper will fold just fine.
ella_studio-Erika
Please don’t misunderstand re Heidelberg.I currently crease on Heid. cyl and platen also 20x30 Thomson (Have done on C&Ps and Miehles when I had them)mostly using matrix but sometimes making my own channel with 2sided tape and cardstock.I will post more detailed vids on Youtube in future. But for now do whatever works.If you notice most greeting cards are not creased but cut-scored it is done by by backing off your press or using lower cutting rule.Gary the space in the channel varies based on the calipre of the stock.
Mike