Windmill Presses - different options?

[ScotJ]

Im looking at getting windmill to add some finishing options for our shops, but I'm not to familiar with them.

Are there different models that have different options? We'd like to do foil, perf, die cutting, embossing and numbering with the machine.

I see quite a few for sale, but I'm not sure which to go with.

Thanks in advace!

[Cornishpastythighs]

Are you talking the Heidelberg windmill platen, they are a joy to operate and are available with many different options, embossing, hot stamping, die cutting, numbering and they also print some nice letterpress work. The good old days

[ScotJ]

Yea- that is the machine I'm talking about.

How does the hot stamping method work?

[Cornishpastythighs]

I think they made one just for hot stamping. heated die and a feed system for the foil, I've never run hot stamping on one but have seen the results.

[LoneGoose]

Great move - every shop should have one! If you get a good one, it will give you many many years of trouble-free operating. Are you looking at the 10x15 or the 'A3' size? The larger one was usually the specialised one, I think - where you buy one just made for foiling, for example.

Newer platens might come with the original foiling mechanism, otherwise you'll need an aftermarket system.

I'd recommend before buying one to get someone who knows them to go and check the register for you - simply running a job through twice and checking.

BTW - In letterpress circles they might whimsically be known as Windmills but to the rest of the (printing) world, better to refer to them as 'platens.'

[LoneGoose]

Just found a great pic for you off some sales site.

In the foreground is the large platen, and in the background you can see the back of the 10x15 platen with original foiling system.

Heidelberg Foil Stamping Systems

[Cornishpastythighs]

Sham wow and Heidelberg Platens, you know the Germans always make good stuff.

[alan4color]

Im looking at getting windmill to add some finishing options for our shops, but I'm not to familiar with them.
We'd like to do foil, perf, die cutting, embossing and numbering with the machine.

!

perf and diecut are pretty simple to learn foil, embossing and printing take skill ( read a blend of art and science).

The key to success in addition to having the work is a skilled operator.

Hopefully the place where you pick up the press will supply all the addition stuff you need furniture to lock up the dies, you would need a foil cutter saw to cut dies and a bunch of other stuff.

Check out where your getting the work done now to see whats needed

good luck