The Optimark System has been designed to work quickly, accurately, and efficiently with Optimark brand ink and laser foam. Optimark inks have been developed by M&R’s in-house chemistry research and development department.

Optimark Ink Has Some Very Unique Features:

• The original ink is also used to re-ink the stamp. This means great impressions from imprint number one, through each re-inking.
• Excellent print quality, heat stability and moisture resistance.
• Optimark ink does not need to be pre-heated to initially ink the stamps, like other systems may require.
• Reasonably priced processing equipment that has unprecedented accuracy.
• Multiple colors can be processed at the same time.

How Optimark Stamps are Made

First using a high quality laser engraver like our Royal Mark Laser System the dies are engraved. When engraving the microporous foam a gas assist of carbon dioxide is used. This ensures excellent edge definition on the image area resulting in very accurate stamp dies. The carbon dioxide also makes it possible for the dies to be vector cut (cut out) on the Royal Mark Laser System. After the dies are engraved you can clean off any residual dust off the top using a shop vac with a soft brush attachment (use a small particle filter with the shop vac). There is no washing or secondary operation needed. Once the dies are vacuumed you are ready to ink the stamps!

Inking the Stamps Dies:

Make Sure The Ink Temperature Is: 75F* (24C)*

If the ink is cooler it could result in insufficient ink loads. If it is warmer it could result in excessive ink depletion in the squeezing process.

THE OPTIMARK VACUUM PROCESS:

1. Place dies in the die cage characters facing up. You can place up to 2 layers of dies in the basket. Do not over stuff the cage with dies as inconsistent inking will occur.
2. Close and lock the top of the die cage by pulling the cover forward.
3. Place the cage into the ink.
4. Close chamber top.
5. Close the vacuum valve on the left side of the chamber.
6. Set the timer for 10 minutes. The pressure gauge will rise to read between 28-30.
7. At the end of the 10 minute cycle slowly release the vacuum valve. When the vacuum valve is fully open and the gauge totally drops, open the top lid on the vacuum. Do not remove the dies at this time.
8. Allow the dies to SOAK in the ink for at least 10 minutes to absorb the ink into the cells.
9. After step 8, remove the ink cage and place in the secondary drip tray.
10. Properly inked dies should lay flat. If the dies appear to have any degree of curling it will indicate they do not have the proper ink loading. If this occurs, place the die cage back into the ink and check if there is sufficient ink to cover the cage. Then repeat the inking process.

• If the ink temperature is less than 75F (24C) you have 2 options:
• • a) You could place the ink trays with the ink in an inexpensive incubation oven at 85F (30C). When you are ready to vacuum the ink into the dies you remove the trays from the oven, and proceed with STEP 1 of the Optimark Vacuum Process above.
  • b) If you prefer not to heat the ink you can vacuum the ink for the normal 10 minutes then increase the SOAK time from 10 minutes to 30 minutes.

THE "patented" OPTIMARK SQUEEZE-IT PROCESS:

1. Place 2 sheets of paper towel on top of the removable plastic Squeeze-It sheet.
2. Then place the dies face up on the paper towel. The dies should not be touching each other. Multiple colors can be squeezed together as long as sufficient space is left between the colors so ink does not bleed into the other colors.
3. Place 2-4 sheets of paper towel on top of the dies.
4. Place the foam rubber cushion (in it’s plastic bag) on top of the paper towel and place the assembly into the Squeeze-It machine evenly on the platen.
5. Close the Squeeze-It door and turn the handle to lock it.
6. Turn on the power switch.
7. Press the Start button. The platen will rise and the pressure gauge will rise to the pre-set pressure. At the end of the 12 second cycle the platen will automatically come down.
8. Turn off the power switch for the Squeeze-It.
9. Open the door and remove the dies.
10. Dies are now ready for mounting.