#glass embossing machines

[embossingrollers]

Embossing Rollers Ltd. excels in engraving, repair, refurbishment, and pattern design services for your embossing rollers. Our precision, excellence, and cutting-edge technology ensure top-notch quality from design to sales, making us your trusted partner for seamless solutions.

Website: https://www.embossingrollers.co.uk/

[jamiepaige]

Constant Companions Closeup #7: AGGRANDICIZE

(also on spotify!)

There's no other way to intro this song - TAKE IT AWAY, TIKTOK VOICE

---

It's a hot and muggy night in Texas, mid-July of 2022.

In my dream, I am somewhere else entirely - A room in the city of Chicago, nestled somewhere high up amongst a countless number of high-rises, aesthetically somewhere between an upscale apartment, an art gallery, and a concert hall. Wide-open windows reveal the landscape of glass and steel spires, light bouncing between reflective surfaces indiscriminately and ultimately making it into the space I'd found myself in.

A good few souls were gathered here, many in suits holding notepads and handheld recorders, others in the flamboyantly-casual wear you might expect from a rock star invited to a press event. A song was playing at modest volume over an unseen sound system, an achingly familiar arrangement steadily ticking away at mid-tempo, drums striking with exacting precision upon each downbeat.

I held in my hand a phone, open to a familiar looking website. I don't recall most the actual words - it was a dream, there likely weren't any - but I recall it in broad strokes, with one specific detail, so I'll do my best to recreate the experience below.

i don't know if any of these shapes actually mean anything i just scribbled things down because i remember there being a row of Something there

"Some might bemoan this newest foray into glossy, baroque art pop as being simply a cheap Kate Bush impersonation," our dream reviewer wrote. "For Jamie, though, I believe she'd take this as a compliment."

And yes, I would. That's the kind of artist you're grateful to be mentioned in the same breath as! That being said, like, huh? That's not even how you spell aggrandize. What?

I woke up with a singular mission.

---

In this day and age, "being a star" is a strangely democratized concept. Everyone is a celebrity, with a brand image to maintain and an audience to cater to and a compelling story arc to be followed. Fandom manifests in all its beautiful and nightmarish aspects even in amounts of tens of people.

Maybe it's my boomer dadrock-loving parents, or my childhood obsession with the game Rock Band, or some chemical imbalance, or simply some toxic nostalgia manifest, but part of me couldn't help but crave it.

I wanted it to be true!! The romantic idea of the musician, touring nonstop in beatup vans across entire continents, pouring their heart out on stage and in recording booths, seeing their name up in lights and embossed in gilded vinyl records, finding constant companionship secondhand. Obviously, reality is so much messier than that, but honestly, it's a dream I've never really been able to let go of - being a star.

I shouldn't have to tell you how out of touch with reality that ideal is. That doesn't stop the dreams from coming.

The subject Aggrandicize is written for, that the lyrics are addressed to, is fame itself. To be wanted, to be dissected, to be bleached and recycled ad infinitum, to be subject to the churning violent machine of fame; To be forever just out of sight, to lack the luck, to bleed and bleed and bleed until you're nothing and not even get a single inch closer to that goal because it's impossible and it's not even what you want. Doesn't it sound like paradise? To tower over reality itself, a redwood tree amongst bushes and ferns? To take this image and stretch, to grow so big gravity revolves around you? To be more brand than body? To be a star?

I don't need that. I don't want that, even if I think I do. Maybe I want to want you to want me, but it is an ideal destined to rot me from the inside out and drain me for every ounce of blood. I just want to make music! And honestly, the path I've gone down has proven that I can have my cake and eat it, too - Playing live at Digital Stars earlier this year was one of the most gratifying and fulfilling experiences I've ever had in my life. I can make better memories by following where my art takes me, memories without 'fame' and 'fortune', memories of light and connection and getting in a room with a bunch of people who know the lyrics and singing my fucking heart out alongside them.

...

Basically, I own a TikTok account, but it'll be a cold day in hell before I ever use it.

---

This song, like many others I've written, was created primarily through assembling a bunch of piecemeal ideas I'd amassed over a couple years of demos. In particular, it borrows a lot from On Fire, a song I wrote for a song jam hosted by Fourth Strike Records back in 2021! I couldn't really tell you why, but I just keep returning to this song over and over - first with Encore, and now with this... Thankfully, I think I've exhausted this font of ideas at this point.

Aggrandicize, somewhat fittingly, is also the song that gave me the most technical trouble on this entire release - I think I genuinely went back and reworked the mix some fifty-odd times before finally giving up and just sending it as-is. I'm still somewhat unhappy with the final result, but hey, the only difference between a work-in-progress and a finished piece is what you call it, I guess.

This is another song I've had a lot of MV ideas for, and that may very well still see a video if I decide to go that route! There's a couple concepts that I've floated, including possibly an animated/animatic type video, but the original concept was to do a whole shitload of fake brainrot tiktoks and film them playing off a phone synced up to the music. That idea never took off, mostly because I couldn't bring myself to do all that, but there's exactly one remnant I'd like to share.

That's it for today!! If you have any questions, I'll gladly answer them below, but otherwise, I'll be back tomorrow to talk about women who love other women with Liaison!

[roach-muncher-girl]

As much as 196 was fun and the source of 98 percent of my karma, existing and posting on tumblr has always had my heart and soul

On reddit when i imagine what op looks like when posting im picturing a regular blue collar human, tapping away at a phone.

But on this hellsite?

Here i imagine the op adorned in a silk bathrobe from the waist up and cartoon loveheart boxer shorts from the waist down. They are sitting down at an oak and gold embossed desk, a wine glass topped up with diet dr pepper and a bowl of mac and cheese at their side, slowly whittling the night away at an antique typewriter. The clack and chime of the weathered machine are the only company op needs as they complete their masterwork, the sands of time sifting through from the golden hours of dusk till the cool calm of the early morning.

By morning the post is complete and is sent by way of pidgeon to the rabble in the town's square. Now nailed to the towns notice board is the following:

"Ricco from the penguins of madagascar was kind of a girlboss. I wonder what their body tastes like"

And then 5297 notes and two and a half months later its revealed that op was the one that stole someone's urn containing their grandma's ashes at dashcon or something.

[unchataparis]

Don't

Liladrien Week 2024 | Day Four: Solitude

Lila’s heels clatter against the cobblestone as she walks. When she brings her left foot down at an awkward angle, the stiletto point of her shoe dives into a crevice in the ground and nearly brings her off balance. But, elegantly, surely, Lila throws her weight in the opposite direction, manages to regain her balance, manages to not break her angle, and continues on.

It’s a cool night, not a cold one, but the brisk wind and the light rain make it feel as if it should be chillier than it really is. Along Lila’s arms, goosebumps are raised. Her dark red backless minidress looks good and costs a pretty penny, but doesn’t really do anything against the elements. Along Lila’s flank is an embossed black mini bag, containing her phone, her wallet, cosmetics, and nothing else.

Her reflection drifts alongside her in darkened windows and the glossy hoods of cars as she walks. Above, the sky is the shade of David Lynch’s Blue Velvet (1987). Lila could see cars in the distance. Lampposts flicker in and out.

Lila is far from the heart of Paris.

Ah, Paris, this lonely, dark, arrogant city. With its enviable history and funny people. Lila will never get over the way they pronounce gin . Seriously, walk up to a French person and ask them to pronounce gin.

Lila hasn’t been back in Paris for a long, long time, and she plans to thoroughly enjoy her temporary sojourn.

At the edge of an industrial complex, constructed at the mouth of a sprawling car park, is a closed travel agent’s office. Lila approaches the dim stairs that lead to the second floor above it and climbs.

Upstairs, it’s much warmer and sightly.

Lila sighs, relishing in the heat and the classy décor. Marble pillars and an under-lit bar table. Small clusters of plush armchairs are granted the veneer of privacy by their fences of giant potted leaf figs. A waterfall wall bubbles merrily on the far side from the entrance, glowing with neon light fixtures.

As Lila walks, her heels clatter on black-and-white chequered floor tiles before becoming muffled on scarlet carpet. She approaches the bar, clenching the edge of it coquettishly while the well-dressed and reticent bartender looks up from the silverware he is polishing.

“So, um…” Lila says, scanning the shelves of alcohol lined by along the glass shelves. “Could I have an…espresso martini, please?”

The bartender puts down his silverware. He starts up the espresso machine, which purrs like an awakening leopard. Lila leans on her elbows upon the bar, watching him work. 

He stamps freshly-ground coffee into a filter, fitting it tight into the grouphead . He lays a tiny glass cup beneath the drip and presses a button Lila can’t see. The espresso machine buzzes and dark, aromatic liquid flows down. Meanwhile, the bartender has obtained a bottle of Belvedere vodka and a bottle of Mr Black Cold Brew coffee liqueur from the shelf behind him. He adds ice into a silver cocktail shaker, then measures in two shots of vodka and one shot of coffee liqueur. A drizzle of golden honey syrup, the espresso shot is dumped in, and the entire thing is shaken economically and intently.

The final cocktail is poured into a crystal-clear martini glass; alcohol the shade of Lila's hair lightening and puffing into a foam the colour of her skin.

The bartender drops three whole coffee beans on top in the pattern of a trillium and slides the cocktail over the counter to Lila.

“Thank you!” she coos, tapping her black American Express card against the EFTPOS scanner.

After she tucks her wallet back into her bag, she drops it, letting her purse hit her flank. In the same instance, she picks up her cocktail and turns around, leaning on the bar while she sips.

Lila can hear the sound of the bartender cleaning behind her. Ahead, she could see the entirety of the demure, sophisticated little bar.

The wafts of cold and mist drifting up the stairs, losing the battle with the establishment’s artificially produced heat. The glimmer of the lustrous, dim lightning reflecting off metallic surfaces. The few patrons gathered at this hour talking to each other in low voices inside cushioned alcoves. At a table to Lila’s right, a silver fox conversing with an enchantingly sweet-looking minx.

Over by the lone table facing an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling glass, is a singular man staring down at his drink.

Lila takes a sip of her martini while taking in the back of this man. She's interested because he appears to be her age, financially-comfortable , and stylish. Then, Lila pauses. And moves closer.

Adrien Agreste is nursing a half-drunk whiskey. One fingerpad circling the rim of the glass over and over again in hypnotic circles while the amber liquid glimmers like topazes. His eyes are misty and he appears to be deep in thought. He wears a black leather jacket with a white V-neck shirt, dark jeans, and YSL Wyatt Harness boots. The Tiffany & Co. silver dog-chain necklace dangling at the crux of his sternum is blank and innocent. 

“Hi,” Lila says.

Adrien startles and looks up.

“…hey,” he says.

Read the rest on Ao3

[catboywizard]

Saying your Names

Chemical names, bird names, names of fire and flight and snow, baby names, paint names, delicate names like bones in the body, Rumplestiltskin names that are always changing, names that no one’s ever able to figure out.

Names of spells and names of hexes, names cursed quietly under the breath, or called out loudly to fill the yard, calling you inside again, calling you home.

Nicknames and pet names and baroque French monikers, written in shorthand, written in longhand, scrawled illegibly in brown ink on the backs of yellowing photographs, or embossed on envelopes lined with gold.

Names called out across the water, names I called you behind your back, sour and delicious, secret and unrepeatable, the names of flowers that open only once, shouted from balconies, shouted from rooftops, or muffled by pillows, or whispered in sleep, or caught of the throat like a lump of meat.

I try, I do. I try and try.

A happy ending? Sure enough—Hello darling, welcome home. I’ll call you darling, hold you tight. We are not traitors but the lights go out. It’s dark. Sweetheart, is that you?

There are no tears, no pictures of him squarely. A seaside framed in glass, and boats, those little boats with sails aflutter, shining lights upon the water, lights that splinter when they hit the pier.

His voice on tape, his name on the envelope, the soft sound of a body falling off a bridge behind you, the body hardly even makes a sound.

The waters of the dead, a clear road, every lover in the form of stars, the road blocked.

All night I stretched my arms across him, rivers of blood, and dark woods, singing with all my skin and bone Please keep him safe. Let him lay his head on my chest and we will be like sailors, swimming in the sound of it, dashed to pieces.

Makes a cathedral, him pressing against me, his lips at my neck, and yes, I do believe his mouth is heaven, his kisses falling over me like stars.

Names of heat and names of light, names of collision in the dark, on the side of the bus, in the bark of the tree, in ballpoint pen on jeans and hands and the backs of matchbooks that then get lost.

Names like pain cries, names like tombstones, names forgotten and reinvented, names forbidden or overused.

Your name like a song I sing to myself, your name like a box where I keep my love, your name like a nest in the tree of love, your name like a boat in the sea of love—O now we’re in the sea of love!

Your name like detergent in the washing machine.

Your name like two X’s like punched-in eyes, like a drunk cartoon passed out in the gutter, your name with two X’s to mark the spots, to hold the place, to keep the treasure from becoming ever lost.

I’m saying your name in the grocery store, I’m saying your name on the bridge at dawn.

Your name like an animal covered in frost, your name like a music that’s been transposed, a suit of fur, a coat of mud, a kick in the pants, a lungful of glass, the sails in wind and the slap of waves on the hull of a boat that’s sinking to the sound of mermaids singing songs of love, and the tug of a simple profound sadness when it sounds so far away.

Here is a map with your name for a capital, here’s an arrow to prove a point: we laugh and it puts the world against us, we laugh, and we’ve got nothing left to lose, and our hearts turn red, and the river rises like a barn on fire.

I came to tell you, we’ll swim in the water, we’ll swim like something sparkling underneath the waves. Our bodies shivering, to the sound of our breathing, and the shore so far away.

I’ll use my body like a ladder, climbing to the thing behind it, saying farewell to flesh, farewell to everything caught underfoot and flattened.

Names of poisons, names of handguns, names of places we’ve been together, names of people we’d be together.

Names of endurance, names of devotion, street names and place names and all the names of our dark heaven crackling in their pan.

It’s a bed of straw, darling. It sure as shit is.

If there was one thing I could save from the fire, he said, the broken arms of the sycamore, the eucalyptus still trying to climb out of the yard—your breath on my neck like a music that holds my hands down, kisses as they burn their way along my spine���or rain, our bodies wet, clothes clinging arm to elbow, clothes clinging nipple to groin—I’ll be right here. I’m waiting.

Say Hallelujah, say goodnight, say it over the canned music and your feet won’t stumble, his face getting larger, the rest blurring on every side.

And angels, about twelve angels, angels knocking on your head right now, hello hello, a flash in the sky, would you like to meet him there, in Heaven?

Imagine a room, a sudden glow. Here is my hand, my heart, my throat, my wrist. Here are the illuminated cities at the center of me, and here is the center of me, which is a lake, which is a well that we can drink from, but I can’t go through with it. I just don’t want to die anymore.

-Richard Siken, Crush

———————————————————

unfortunately tumblr would not let me format this the same as the poem originally appeared, which was my intention. got about 2/3 through before it was like “this paragraph is too long” bc the poem is literally one long paragraph with no breaks. so, i had to compromise and add breaks btwn most sentences. hopefully this was the correct choice to maintain the rhythm of the poem best as i could.

i’ve seen quite a few quotes from Richard Siken on tumblr, but i dont think ive ever seen one posted in its entirety. i was reading Crush and really fell in love with this one. so I decided to transcribe it and post it on here. could i have found it somewhere online already and just copy/pasted? probably, yeah, but i didn’t want to.

[buzzards-sticky-fingers]

had to write a short story for a class and decided to make it vaguely about Buzzard

Twenty-seven came this time. The dog bounds from one metal husk to another, connecting dots in their lifeless constellation. I pick at my fingers as I follow the dog because it’s still too hot to pick at these corpses. Just a little while longer. The roaring fires will burn themselves out in their empty tanks.

They often arrive already dead. From what, I don’t know. Even dead machines can be used.

Silica grit and stardust waft in my wake as I trudge around the largest mech, kicking up the desert with every step. It's three times my size, titanium struts bared beneath the shredded ailerons, dripping ruby flame. Between the meteoric entry and the sandpaper landing, the paint is well and truly stripped, but I see some scarlet embossing in a cranny near the stern. That's where I'll go first, when I can stand the heat and the glass underfoot is solid enough to step on.

The dog barks, and I round a broken bow to see him gnawing on the next corpse. Small, not even burning, I know I can crack it open right now. There's a cable leaking pink caught between the dog's gnashing teeth, and I trip over myself to follow it upwards. The innards spill over sheared metal edges and I quest between them. Wires, tubing, gears as large as my eye—consolation prizes, perhaps.

A wheeze makes me pause. “H-h-he-hel-help—he-hel-help—” The poor thing’s vocoder is rattling in its setting just trying to spit out one word.

“Shh, hello,” I murmur. “I thought you were dead!”

With a twist I unlatch a crumpled section of the outer shell and find the loose connection of its voice box. A good thump elicits a squeal of agonized feedback, but now it can speak.

“Please,” it says, voice crowded with static. “Please. Help.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll do what I can.” I pinch fuel lines, wipe away oil, and pick debris out of its chassis, alien metal contaminated with plain earth.

“It hurts.”

“I can see that!” I glance at the dog, now tugging on the leaking cable. Its sensors probably can’t feel that anymore.

There’s something sparking inside and I have to scrape away panels of circuitry to get at it. An unseated coupling spits electric arcs at my hand. If there’s still enough power to cause that, then…

“You will help me?”

“Yes, yes,” I soothe, flicking the coupling apart. The rattle-groan of unsteady metal covers the sound of something snapping while I dig deeper. Its face is lying there, caved into its chest cavity, blind optics wide—a better consolation prize.

“You will help?” Its withered antennae twitch. Its optics roll in pain.

“Yes—”

My fingers tiptoe across hallowed ground. The power core, still warm, hanging by a single plug.

“Yes, I’m helping.” I pop the plug out with a practiced motion. The now-corpse doesn’t twitch when I hoist the core up, satisfied.

This is the sort of prize I was hoping for.

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

CATCHES ONE'S EYE INSTANTLY AND IS A DESIGN MASTERPIECE IN EVERY WHICH WAY -- THE CAMPARI SODA BOTTLE.

PIC(S) INFO: Spotlight on the eternal design icon that is the conical bottle in which Campari Soda is still sold today. The futurist design was created by painter, sculptor, and graphic artist Fortunato Depero (1892-1960).

A SMALL HISTORY: "After the Bitter Campari and Cordial Campari, respectively ruby red drink and liquor with macerated raspberries in cognac, the company of Milan’s Davide Campari launched on the market in 1932, exactly Campari Soda, or Bitter with the addition of soda. The drink was no longer being served with the siphon, but already mixed in the right doses in comfortable glass bottles in the shape of an inverted cup.

The bottle was ordered to Bordoni glassware in the early thirties and had to be made of frosted glass with two embossed lines at the base with the words “SPECIAL PREPARATION, Davide Campari & C. MILANO”, while in the center field was to appear as "CAMPARI SODA." All these features, combined with the special shade of red and the absence of the label, instead of the typical alcohol on the market, made of Campari Soda a product that broke conventions and, because of its shape and the advertising psychology, opened new sales strategies. Interesting to note that the registration of the name “Campari Soda” in 1932 served to secure the name of the product consists of the words “Campari” and “Soda”, but the three-dimensional mark could not be deposited (shape of the bottles, embossed character of the name) because of the lack of a legal definition.

The success of the new drink is due also to the fact that Campari expanded the scope of the product by installing supplying machines in public places, by inserting a coin, they released bottles. The distributor was completed by a figure conceived and always realized by Depero which reflects the inverted cone reason, the same as the bottle. The Trentino artist had long worked on this figure, elaborating several sketches from the early years of the association with Campari, which began in 1924. It can be assumed therefore that the company had to study the Campari Soda at the end of the twenties and that Depero had been responsible for providing the first plans for an advertising presentation, projects that were later used in the early thirties.

Davide Campari had the merit of being among the first Italian industrialist to notice how advertising could influence in a decisive way the visual perceptual faculties of the consumer. The partnership with Depero did not tie only to the design of the product, indeed. The Rovereto artist produced an enormous amount of sketches, ink, collage of colored papers, plastics for advertising projects, of which only a fraction was then realized. In 1931, demonstrating his commitment also in the publishing field, he published the Numero Unico Futurista Campari, a collection of graphic and poetic creations of advertising, combined with the launch of the Manifesto dell’Arte Pubblicitaria Futurista."

-- FERMO EDITORE (Italian blogspot), "Depero and the Campari Soda bottle: an history lasting 80 years," by Fossella Romito, c. October 2017

Sources: www.fermoeditore.it/en/blog-en/depero-and-the-campari-soda-bottle-an-history-lasting-80-years-2, Pinterest, L'Italo-Americano, Italy On This Day, Briasco Distribuzione, Biber Architects, various, etc...

[aldiraweavetech]

Jacquard Loom Machine - 3 Fabrics & Its Importance In Various Industries

What is a Jacquard Loom Machine?

The Jacquard Loom Machine is a device fitted to a loom that simplifies the process of manufacturing textiles with such complex patterns as brocade, damask, and matelasse. It is known as one of the most advanced weaving machines around the globe.

A jacquard textile machine is used to weave the type of fabric known as a Jacquard. They were created in 1804 by the french engineer and silk manufacturer Joseph Marie Jacquard. It is capable of producing complex patterns on fabric through the use of punched cards. Plain, satin, velvet, and lace are the fabrics that were woven with the jacquard textile machine. There is an increase in the application of this technology in recent decades.

Let’s discuss the fabrics and how jacquard loom machines are used in various industries.

Brocade:

Brocade is a class of richly decorative subtle-woven fabrics, often made in colored silks and sometimes with gold and silver threads. One of the most popular machines used for weaving brocades is the computer jacquard machine. Brocade has patterns that can be woven right into the fabric as opposed to embroidered fabrics. It is additionally known as embossed cloth. Earlier, brocade was formerly used for decorative clothing, although now, it is used widely.

Where is the Brocade fabric used?

Homeware: Curtains and heavy silk drapes

Accessories: Tie, pocket squares, pillows

Furniture: Ornamental Chairs with brocade cushions and sofas with brocade patterns

Damask:

Damask is a type of fabric characterized by its flat and reversible pattern. It is typically made of silk, cotton, or synthetic fibers and is often used for table linens, upholstery, and clothing. The pattern is created by weaving the warp and weft threads of different colors in a specific manner to create a reversible design. The name “damask” originates from the city of Damascus in Syria, where the fabric was first produced.

Where are Damask fabrics used?

Apparels:

Damask is essentially used for evening wear, jackets, and other stuff clothing items that are meant to be somewhat weather-resistant.

Accessories:

Scarves, handbags, and luggage are some of the common uses of damask in everyday wear.

Decor:

Damask is regularly used in upholstery for home decor. Damask can sometimes be seen on light rugs as well.

Additionally, Damask is used in a wide variety of products, including wallpapers and suitcases, including fabrics with a damask-inspired pattern. Other frequent plastic accessories with damask designs include glass cases, laptop cases, phone cases, and many other plastic accessories.

Matelasse Fabric Matelasse is a type of fabric with a raised, quilted surface resembling a woven basket. The word "matelasse" comes from the French term for "quilted." It is usually made of cotton or silk and is often used for bedspreads, curtains, and upholstery. Matelasse fabric is characterized by its intricate patterns and soft, plush feel.  An interesting fact is that in the sewing industry, a “figured fabric” is an example of what is known as a Matelasse Fabric. This fabric has a complicated weave structure. It is manufactured using cotton, silk, or rayon. The fabric has a flexible surface with a quilted appearance, additionally, the fabric is opaque in appearance.

Where is Matelasse Fabric used?

Home Furnishing:

Curtains, bedsheets, pillowcases, bed skirts, cushion covers, etc.

Computerized Jacquard Loom is the best fabric weaver as it can carry out any weave pattern and produce endless fabrics. It started the manufacturing and consumerism industrial revolutions. Due to the demand for simple, minimal, and adaptable fabrics, there is a considerable increase in favor of industrial looms among designers and apparel firms.

Alidhra Weavetech is one of the most known and famous for being armed with innovative and cost-effective weaving and twisting machinery, as well as Jacquard machine solutions in the world. Weavetech is known for its innovation, creativity, excellence, and integrity.

 If you are looking for a textile manufacturing machinery industry in India, look no further and give us a call and Contact us today.

Original Source: https://weavetech.com/blog-detail/30/jacquard-loom-machine---3-fabrics-its-importa/

[pizzatheif]

two machines appear in town within days of each other. one, a bright blue with illuminated butterfly wings and MORPHO in bright bold letters at the top ; the second, black, blank. the only illumination coming from the screen tucked behind a curtain — it felt like stepping into a photo booth going through its goth phase.

hugo had seen both. hell, the blue one was hard to miss considering it had turned up in the old borders-turned-cvs that sat neatly next to that one bagel place with the thin-sliced taylor ham; his fave. in a matter of days, he’d had to start taking the long way if he wanted breakfast. traffic down that street was a nightmare — worse than usual and that’s saying something.

he decided he wasn’t gonna buy into that crap, though. a matter of principle, he’d claimed ( though he’d probably misspoken ). what did he care that some stupid machines were telling people’s fortunes? he’s content where he is, anything else needed work or schooling and when would he find the time for that?

it eats at him, though – subconsciously plagues his dreams. especially when he finds tony’d gotten his done. ❝ ey, 'ugo, lookit this shit. ❞ the blue card is shoved under his nose and hugo squints at it, narrowed eyes darting upward to meet tony's in the space of a breath. ❝ i thought we thought this shit was bull? ❞ to which tony shrugs, tucking his potential back into his pocket. ❝ you do the death one too? ❞ gaze averts and hugo holds out his hand, ❝ cuh'mon, tone. you holdin' out on me? it's me. ❞ but tony won't let him see the card and hueg don't like the feeling that settles in his stomach because of it.

a couple of days later, he follows his feet to breakfast but he ends up in front of that damn blue machine. his tummy grumbles — he ignores it.

sweaty palms are pressed to the glass when prompted. he almost leaves the stupid butterflied blue envelope that pops out.

he doesn't read the card for a week.

there’s nothing he can rationalize as to why he’s so nervous for it, only that he’s been disappointing people since he was born. what if this card finally means he’ll be disappointed in himself? what if it means tony’ll expect him to change? what if he don’t like who he’s supposed to become?

he knows the thoughts are silly. especially when he gets the call from eloise because she’d gotten her blue card and she wanted to jabber about some conspiracy theories she’d read online that the potentials aren’t what you’re supposed to become, only that they’re supposed to show you a path forward. maybe she won’t become the next picasso, but now she knows wendy doesn’t have a leg to stand on when she criticizes lu’s choices. if she hadn’t gotten an artistic path, she says, then she’d be able to explore what that might mean.

it bolsters him. at least enough to slide the card from his envelope. a cold sweat breaks out when he reads the word.

RAT

hugo flips the card over to see the silver embossed butterfly on the back before rereading those three little letters. fuck.

a rat? his life's potential is to be a fuckin’… nervous gaze darts to the empty spot on the couch, half-relieved that he’d chosen to read his card when tony wasn’t home.

a wave of anxiety shoots through him as he stands, throwing on the green jacket he’d commandeered from tone ages ago. thoughts spiral with each step out the door — who the hell would he rat on? how’d they get him cornered enough to get him to squeal? what if it’s tony he gives up? god, he’s sick to his stomach until he looks up and finds himself at the blue machine, again.

maybe it's a mistake. yeah... yeah. hugo wipes his hands on his jacket, looking over his shoulder to make sure no one was tailing him. laundry quarters are slipped into the slot and he goes through the motions to get another card.

RAT

❝ fuck! ❞ he jumps out of the booth and slaps a five on the counter. ❝ can i get change? ❞ is his voice cracking? he clears his throat, voice dropping half an octave with the follow up demand of : ❝ quarters. ❞ hands are clammy, again, as he punches in his social, again, to draw another card.

RAT ( again ).

he sits in the booth, this time, world crashing down around him. how would lulu spin a card like this? his phone is in his hands as he hovers over her name, hesitation stalling him until there's a knock on the booth that rouses him from his panicked thoughts. a mumbled apology falls from him as he pushes past the person waiting their turn and he shoves the three identical cards into his pocket, as deep as they'll go.

he shoulda never read the card. he shoulda dumped it or maybe never tried it in the first place. how're you supposed to come back from this? is he just supposed to give up crime in favor of a boring-ass nine-to-five? you can't be a fuckin' rat and not expect to get got because of it.

he doesn't realize where he's going until he walks into a dude at the end of a line and almost gets himself punched because of it.

he’d heard the news label it the machine of death. hugo swallows thickly, stepping gingerly behind the dark curtain when it's finally his turn. he’s gotta know if they’re related – is he gonna pull cement shoes? is he gonna get whacked just for pulling RAT? the white card slips into the slot and hugo all but rips it out in his fervor.

PIZZA

❝ wh... what the fuck is that s'pposed'tuh mean? ❞

[creatureindustry4u]

Batch Coding Machine: Revolutionizing Efficiency in Manufacturing

In today’s rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape, batch coding machines have become indispensable tools for businesses striving to maintain accuracy, efficiency, and compliance. These machines ensure that products are labeled with critical information, such as batch numbers, expiration dates, and barcodes, which is essential for both consumers and regulatory agencies. Below, we dive deep into the world of batch coding machines, exploring their types, functionalities, benefits, and how they are transforming industries worldwide.

What is a Batch Coding Machine?

A batch coding machine is a device designed to print or emboss essential information on products or packaging. This information includes manufacturing dates, expiration dates, batch numbers, and other identifiers that help track products throughout the supply chain. These machines are widely used across industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, cosmetics, and electronics.

With advancements in technology, batch coding machines now incorporate features like high-speed printing, automated adjustments, and error detection, making them more reliable and efficient than ever.

Types of Batch Coding Machines

1. Inkjet Batch Coding Machines

Inkjet printers are among the most common batch coding solutions. They use tiny nozzles to spray ink onto surfaces, creating clear and precise codes. These machines are suitable for high-speed production lines and can print on a variety of surfaces, including paper, plastic, glass, and metal.

Advantages:

High-speed printing

Suitable for various surfaces

Low maintenance requirements

2. Laser Batch Coding Machines

Laser coding machines use focused laser beams to etch information onto surfaces. These machines are ideal for industries requiring permanent and tamper-proof markings.

Advantages:

Permanent markings

No need for consumables like ink

Eco-friendly and cost-effective over time

3. Thermal Transfer Batch Coding Machines

Thermal transfer printers use heat to transfer ink from a ribbon onto the surface of a product or label. These machines are commonly used in industries where high-resolution printing is required.

Advantages:

High-quality prints

Ideal for flexible packaging

Durable codes resistant to smudging

4. Contact Coding Machines

Contact coders use a stamping mechanism to transfer ink onto a product. Though older than other methods, they are still used in industries where simplicity and cost-effectiveness are priorities.

Advantages:

Simple operation

Low initial cost

Reliable for low-volume production

Key Features of Modern Batch Coding Machines

1. Versatility

Modern batch coding machines are designed to handle a wide range of materials, including cardboard, plastic, glass, and metal. This versatility makes them suitable for diverse industries.

2. Integration with Production Lines

Advanced models can seamlessly integrate with production lines, ensuring that coding operations do not disrupt workflow.

3. User-Friendly Interfaces

Most machines now come equipped with touchscreen interfaces and intuitive software, allowing operators to easily adjust settings and monitor performance.

4. Compliance with Regulations

Batch coding machines ensure adherence to regulatory standards, such as those set by the FDA, ensuring that products meet legal requirements.

Benefits of Using Batch Coding Machines

1. Improved Traceability

Batch coding ensures that products can be tracked from production to distribution, which is critical for quality control and recall management.

2. Enhanced Brand Reputation

Accurate and professional-looking batch codes enhance the perceived quality of a product, boosting customer confidence and brand loyalty.

3. Cost Savings

By automating the coding process, manufacturers can reduce labor costs and minimize errors, leading to significant cost savings over time.

4. Increased Efficiency

Modern machines operate at high speeds and require minimal supervision, allowing businesses to optimize their production workflows.

Applications of Batch Coding Machines

1. Pharmaceutical Industry

In the pharmaceutical sector, batch coding is crucial for ensuring product safety and compliance. Machines print batch numbers, expiration dates, and barcodes on medicine bottles, blister packs, and cartons.

2. Food and Beverage Industry

Batch coding machines help maintain food safety by providing essential information, such as expiry dates and batch details, on packaging.

3. Electronics Industry

In the electronics industry, batch coding is used to label components with serial numbers and manufacturing details, ensuring proper assembly and quality control.

4. Cosmetics Industry

Batch coding machines play a vital role in labeling cosmetic products with lot numbers and expiration dates, meeting both consumer demands and regulatory requirements.

Choosing the Right Batch Coding Machine

When selecting a batch coding machine, consider the following factors:

Type of Material: Ensure the machine is compatible with the materials used in your products.

Production Speed: Choose a model that matches your production line’s output.

Budget: Factor in both initial costs and long-term operational expenses.

Regulatory Compliance: Opt for machines that meet industry-specific standards.

Ease of Use: Look for user-friendly features like touchscreen interfaces and automated adjustments.

Future Trends in Batch Coding Technology

1. AI Integration

Artificial Intelligence is being integrated into batch coding systems to enhance error detection and predictive maintenance.

2. Sustainability

Manufacturers are focusing on eco-friendly solutions, such as laser coding and biodegradable inks, to reduce their environmental impact.

3. IoT Connectivity

The Internet of Things (IoT) allows machines to be connected to central systems, enabling real-time monitoring and data analysis.

Conclusion

Batch coding machines are essential for modern manufacturing, offering unparalleled efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. By investing in the right batch coding solution, businesses can streamline their operations, enhance product traceability, and build consumer trust.

[cosmopacks]

10 Must-Know Trends in Skincare & Cosmetic Packaging for 2025

The skincare and cosmetic industry is changing fast. Packaging trends show what customers want: sustainable, innovative, and practical options. This guide shows the top 10 trends that are changing cosmetic packaging's future helping brands stay competitive.

1. Green Cosmetic Packaging

Being eco-friendly is still the main focus. Green cosmetic packaging, like recycled bottles and materials that break down , is becoming more popular. Brands are choosing:

Post-Consumer Resin (PCR): This recycled plastic has less impact on the environment.

Materials That Break Down: Bamboo and PLA offer green options.

Simple Designs: Using less material matches what eco-aware customers value.

2. Airless Bottles to Protect Products

Airless bottles have a revolutionary effect on skincare packaging. These containers shield products from air exposure, which keeps them effective and extends their shelf life. They offer these advantages:

Better product protection.

Exact dosing with little waste.

Perfect for delicate formulas like serums and creams.

3. Custom Packaging Options

Brands stress uniqueness through tailored packaging. Choices include:

Unique Shapes and Sizes: Fitting product needs.

New Printing Methods: Screen printing and embossing to brand products.

Color Matching: Using Pantone color scaling to ensure consistency.

4. New Surface Finishing Techniques

Packaging looks play a key role in drawing customers. Popular finishes include:

Glossy and Matte Coatings: To create a high-end appearance.

Metallic Finishes: To add a hint of elegance.

Soft-Touch Textures: To offer a special feel.

5. Compact and Travel-Friendly Designs

As people live more on-the-move, they want small easy-to-carry packaging. Features include:

Leak-Proof Designs: To ensure easy transport.

Multi-Use Containers: To blend usefulness and ease.

Lightweight Materials: To boost usability.

6. Integration of Smart Packaging

Tech is causing a revolution in cosmetic packaging. Smart packaging features include:

QR Codes: They link to product info or tutorials.

Temperature Indicators: They ensure proper product storage.

NFC Technology: It enables interactive brand experiences.

7. Refillable and Reusable Containers

Refillable packaging is eco-friendly and saves money. Examples include:

Refill Pods: They cut down on waste while staying convenient.

Reusable Jars and Bottles: They promote sustainable consumer habits.

Subscription Models: They offer refills to loyal customers.

8. Luxury Packaging for Premium Brands

High-end skincare and cosmetic brands invest in luxury packaging to mirror their brand image. Key elements include:

Glass and Acrylic Materials: These exude elegance.

Intricate Detailing: This enhances the unboxing experience.

Sophisticated Branding: This involves simple yet striking designs.

9. Versatile Product Lines

Versatility in packaging allows brands to meet different consumer needs. Examples include:

Multi-Functional Tubes: These work for many skincare products.

Dual-Compartment Containers: These hold matching products.

Adjustable Pumps: These give controlled dispensing.

10. Commitment to Social Responsibility

Customers now value brands that focus on social responsibility more. Packaging that shows ethical practices includes:

Recycled Materials: Showing care for the environment.

Clear Labels: Helping buyers learn about sustainability.

Team-ups with Good Causes: Boosting brand image.

Why Pick Cosmopacks for Your Packaging?

Cosmopacks leads these trends offering new, green, and adaptable packaging answers. As a reliable cosmetic packaging maker with over eight years in the field, we give you:

Top-notch Quality: Ensuring products last and work well.

Cutting-edge Tech: Using machines to get things right.

Earth-friendly Choices: Backing your brand's green aims.

Check out our broad selection of packaging options such as cosmetic bottles, tubes, jars, and airless containers. Get in touch with us at Cosmopacks to boost your brand's packaging and be at the forefront in 2025.

FAQs

1. What does eco-friendly cosmetic packaging mean?

Eco-friendly cosmetic packaging uses materials and designs that reduce harm to the environment. This includes recycled plastics, materials that break down like bamboo, and packaging you can reuse or recycle .

2. What makes airless bottles so common in skincare packaging?

Airless bottles enjoy popularity due to their ability to shield products from air exposure, which keeps them effective and lengthens their shelf life. They also allow for exact dispensing reducing waste.

3. Can I customize my cosmetic packaging with Cosmopacks?

Yes, Cosmopacks gives you many options to customize, including specific shapes, sizes, colors, and printing methods. We team up with brands to make packaging that shows their identity and values.

4. What materials are used in luxury cosmetic packaging?

Luxury cosmetic packaging often uses high-end materials like glass, acrylic, and metal. These materials provide strength and a classy look.

5. How does refillable packaging benefit the environment?

Reusable packaging helps cut down on waste by letting people use containers more than once. This way, we make less single-use plastic and support buying habits that are better for the planet.

6. What makes Cosmopacks a reliable packaging supplier?

Cosmopacks has earned trust over eight years offering top-notch, fresh, and green packaging answers. Our cutting-edge tech, options to customize, and focus on customer care make us stand out.

7. How can smart packaging enhance the customer experience?

Smart packaging uses tech like QR codes and NFC tags to give more product details how-to guides, or fun brand experiences. This adds worth and gets consumers more involved.

8. What are the MOQ requirements for Cosmopacks' products?

Cosmopacks has flexible minimum order quantities (MOQs), which start at 5,000 units. We can adjust the MOQ to meet the specific needs of startups.

9. How does Cosmopacks ensure the quality of its packaging?

We follow strict quality control processes and hold certifications like ISO and FDA compliance. Our automated production lines guarantee consistency and accuracy in every product.

10. Can Cosmopacks support sustainable brand initiatives?

Of course! Cosmopacks focuses on eco-friendly packaging solutions, including recycled materials and sustainable designs. We assist brands to align their packaging with their environmental objectives.

[chromaprint]

Pressure Sensitive Labels

Pressure Sensitive Labels

Pressure Sensitive Labels are pre gummed labels available in roll form to be used in a label applicator machine or applied by hand. There are many kinds of pressure sensitive labels such as paper, film, transparent (no look), speciality materials depending on the product and industry. Pressure Sensitive label is one of the most common product decorations for FMCG, Beverages, Spirits and Pharmaceutical industries. Pressure Sensitive labels can be applied on all types of plastic and metal containers, PET and Glass bottles, paper and laminated pouches. Roll Form Pressure Sensitive labels are manufactured in Flexo printing machines and for short quantities they are produced in Digital printing machines. Various embellishments such as spot coating, Hot foil, Embossing and thermo-reactive print are possible on pressure sensitive labels.

Types

Foil labels

No- look labels

Metallic labels

Color Changing labels

Double Side printed labels

Benefits of

Pressure Sensitive Labels

Highly decorative graphics are possible on these labels with multiple embellishments.

Clean finish of the applied labels on the bottle or jar. There are no excess gum leaking from poor application and the alignment of label to the bottle is straight on all the bottles.

No need to invest in complicated equipment to apply labels

No skilled operators needed to apply these labels and savings in man power costs involved in label application quality checks and correction

Numerous substrates options such as paper, plastic and clear films are available in these labels.

[irisyaps]

on routinely love

I knew there would come a day where this would fall apart. you remove your shirt, the tesserae buttons gleam in the dim hue of the mood lamp we bought on one of our weekend's together, the cheap polyester clings on the rusty hanger with paint that chips away, the one we fight about every Thursday when you forget to do the laundry again. we set into routine like clockwork, I stand by the window with my tea, you sit on my favourite chair, the pillow you embossed with my initials under your feet, the volume of the TV a little too loud for my liking, but I make do. I ask you if you've eaten, you pull your head away for a moment to look at me, and sigh. I think your bones are a bit too heavy, and the weight of growing together shows in the way your skin sags and folds. I have memorised every frown and freckle on your face, the way your neck curves, the way your body jerks before you heave a sigh that signals the onset of another vague empty answer. the glass of kokum that I despise is condensing on the table, the smell so putrid and sour, I can't help but open the window. bustling crowds that are winding down from the rush hour blast through the crummy alleyway, mulling in with the TV, the ice in your sharbat sloshes around as you take a sip, and I can hear the washing machine beep. it's a Thursday. my hunger dissipated a while ago, and I pretend that I have eaten. we get into bed, your nails rake my shoulder mindlessly as you scroll, the candle in the corner of the room shines as your face contorts. must've been another headline. I can see your eyelashes, they flutter as you breathe through your nose, your lips pulled taught on one end, as your cheeks twitch every now and then to push your glasses back up your nose. I can't help but feel so defeated tonight, the tears eventually soak your shirt and you sigh and put your phone on the nightstand and turn to hold my head. there's not much to be said, you call me Jaana, and tell me to sleep. the promise of a better tomorrow was something that you stopped making a while ago, and I know why. we lay there, you pick your phone back up, and I keep crying. I tell you I miss you. you reply that you're right here, and I laugh with mirth that clogs my throat. I ask you to stay, and you do. I ask you to love me for one more night, and you nod. I knew there would come a day where this would fall apart, but I don't have it in me to pick up the pieces tonight.

[mounishamarketing]

Engraving and Ornamentation Works That Define Elegance in Dubai

Engraving and Ornamentation Works That Define Elegance

Engraving and ornamentation have long been admired for their ability to transform ordinary objects into extraordinary works of art. In bustling cities like Dubai and Sharjah, the demand for exquisite engraving and ornamentation services has surged, reflecting the region's appreciation for beauty and craftsmanship. This article delves into the fascinating world of engraving and ornamentation, highlighting its origins, tools, techniques, and modern applications.

Introduction: Unveiling the Craft

Engraving and ornamentation are ancient arts that have evolved over centuries. From intricate designs on metal and wood to delicate patterns on glass and stone, these crafts bring out the beauty in various materials. Today, advanced technologies like laser engraving and CNC machines have revolutionized the industry, making it possible to achieve precision and detail like never before.

Origins and Evolution

The history of engraving dates back to prehistoric times when early humans carved designs into bones and stones. As civilizations advanced, so did the techniques and tools used for engraving. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used engraving to create stunning jewelry, weapons, and decorative items. Over the centuries, engraving techniques spread across the world, influencing art and culture in various regions.

Tools of the Trade

Modern engraving relies on a range of sophisticated tools, each designed for specific materials and techniques. Some of the essential tools include:

Engraving Machine: A versatile tool for various materials.

Laser Engraving Machine: Ideal for precision work on metal, wood, glass, and plastic.

CNC Engraving Machine: Used for detailed and complex designs.

Hand Engraving Tools: Traditional tools for intricate, manual work.

Etching Machine: Used for creating detailed designs on metal and glass.

Techniques and Styles

Engraving techniques have diversified, each offering unique aesthetic qualities. Some popular techniques include:

Laser Engraving: Utilizes laser technology to engrave precise designs on various materials, including metal, wood, glass, and plastic.

Etching: Involves using acid or other chemicals to create designs on metal or glass surfaces.

CNC Engraving: Employs computer-controlled machines to produce intricate patterns and designs.

Hand Engraving: A traditional method using manual tools for a more personalized touch.

Engraving in Different Materials

Engraving is a versatile craft that can be applied to a wide range of materials:

Metal Engraving: Common for jewelry, watches, and decorative items.

Wood Engraving: Popular for custom furniture, plaques, and art pieces.

Glass Engraving: Used for trophies, awards, and personalized gifts.

Stone Engraving: Ideal for monuments, memorials, and decorative art.

Ornamentation: Beauty in Details

Ornamentation adds a layer of beauty and sophistication to engraved items. This involves adding decorative elements, such as filigree work, inlays, and embossing, to enhance the visual appeal. In Dubai and Sharjah, ornamentation services are highly sought after for their ability to elevate the elegance of everyday objects and architectural elements.

Modern Applications and Innovations

The advent of modern technology has significantly expanded the applications of engraving and ornamentation. Today, these crafts are used in various industries, including:

Jewelry Design: Creating personalized and intricate jewelry pieces.

Interior Design: Enhancing home and office decor with custom engraved furniture and decorative items.

Corporate Gifts: Producing unique and memorable corporate awards and gifts.

Fashion: Adding unique designs to accessories and apparel.

Preserving Heritage

While modern techniques have revolutionized engraving, preserving traditional methods is equally important. Many artisans in Dubai and Sharjah continue to use age-old techniques, ensuring that the heritage and cultural significance of engraving and ornamentation are maintained.

Professional Engraving Services in Dubai and Sharjah

For those looking to experience the finest engraving and ornamentation services, Aafiyah Technical Services offers exceptional craftsmanship in Dubai and Sharjah. Their expertise covers a wide range of materials and techniques, ensuring that every project is executed with precision and elegance.

Visit their website for more information: Aafiyah Technical Services.

Conclusion

Engraving and ornamentation are timeless crafts that continue to captivate with their intricate beauty and precision. From ancient techniques to modern innovations, these arts have evolved, offering endless possibilities for personalization and elegance. In Dubai and Sharjah, professional services like Aafiyah Technical Services are at the forefront, providing high-quality engraving and ornamentation that define elegance.

Whether you seek to enhance your home decor, create personalized gifts, or add a touch of sophistication to your business, the art of engraving and ornamentation offers the perfect solution. Embrace the beauty of these crafts and explore the myriad of possibilities they present.

[vinceaddams]

Alright! Here's what we've got!! (Excluding the garbagiest garbage)

So many plastic buttons, so so grimy. Washed my hands several times and will wash all the buttons later.

I'm going to donate most of them (my button stash is big enough already and I don't often use plastic ones) but I will go through and choose some to keep. I'm really loving all the different green shades.

They're of wildly varying ages and qualities, and of course some of the older ones were disintegrating in various disgustingly textured ways and had to be thrown out.

A few metal buttons. There were more that were also gross and corroding, some in a green way and some in a rusty way, and these were the only not completely awful ones.

Some mother of pearl buttons, and a lot of these seem to be... also degrading in a gross textured way?? I have never seen mother of pearl do that. Maybe they were stored in an acidic environment, or maybe some gunk from something else got on them? I'll try washing them.

Some leather and wooden buttons, and a few non-disgusting fabric covered ones. (There were many more fabric covered ones that were rusty)

The little slanty ended ones are cute, but their shanks are very thin wire that's also very rusty, so I think they'll have to go. But I wanted them to be in the photo anyways.

The two biggest wooden buttons have the statue of liberty embossed on them.

I wonder what they were originally attached to.

8 glass beads, a glass stud with a yucky corroded green back, and a mother of pearl stud with a yucky rusted back. A tiny spiky buckle, 2 broken jewellery bits, a dangly wooden doodad, and 4 buttons that I think came off button boots. I'm quite sure the black one did, at least.

Glass buttons! Yay!! Much better luck here that with the MOP ones, which is the reverse of how it usually is. Those 3 little blue ones are doing one of my least favourite button things though, which is when one has a perfectly pristine metal back and another has a very oxidized one. Perhaps I can polish it.

Also look!

look at the little bird!

Instructions on setting invisible zippers from 1969, a crochet, knitting, tatting, and embroidery book from 1952, and a packet of mostly ugly Artex embroidery transfers.

Here, I reversed this one so you can read it.

I don't know what decade these are from, but I feel like maybe 60's or 70's? What the heck is ratfink??

2.8 metres of tatted lace, 2 small plain white cotton scraps, a crudely made hat shaped needle book, and Ethel why would you do that? Why would you print your name in a random spot on two handkerchiefs? If you're not going to embroider a monogram you could have at least centred it nicely on a corner, or put it along an edge.

Most of the thread was really awful quality, but there were a few nice ones, and some wooden spools! The two bottom spools were also fuzzy garbage, but I just wanted to include them in the photo because the ends look like radiation symbols.

It's a bit hard to read, but I think this spool says "mom hates her little children" :(

Several of the other spools had scribbling on them.

Seam binding, hand sewing needles, a bodkin, machine needles, and a plastic fork thingy. When I saw the handle I thought it was an awl, but it has two points so I'm stumped. Is it for eating fancy little snacks?

Safety pins and danger pins (and rusty extra danger pins which I put in my sharps disposal) as well as a few tacks and small nails. A broken floral brooch made of tiny seashells glued together, 4 links of a chain, 8 tiny metal balls and one big one, and a marble.

And of course a square glass container with a lid! I don't know what things I will put in it yet, but I will certainly put some things.

Belt tool connector thingy, 4 plastic buckles and one metal one. (slightly rusty but also slightly sparkly. Cheaply made fake cut steel.) An embroidered patch, a seashell, and more pins and needles in prescription bottles for two different people, neither of whom is Ethel.

Three very dull pairs of scissors, a cork, 3 bobbins which I think will fit my Singer but I haven't tried yet, a tracing wheel, two machine parts, a screwdriver, a board game piece, chalk, and a couple of mystery metal bits.

A wristwatch box with a single skein of embroidery floss.

Parent pencils named "EAGLE Verithin Dark Green" and "Says "Think Fire Prevention"", with their darling baby pencil, "Mini Frie".

4 snaps, more than 4 hook and eye closures, and a zipper so old the packaging calls it a Slide Fastener. And it was made in Canada!

An intriguing torn corner with a lot of "omit" and "deduct" on it, 4 puzzle pieces, a luggage tag, a sports ticket from 1989, a doctor's appointment, and a child with a bad haircut.

Make your own covered belt, buckle, and buttons! I'll save these until I find a good home for them.

I had thought this bag was old tissue paper, but no! It's little square scarves!

The fleshy mesh one in the upper right looks newer & coarser quality and is cut in half diagonally, but I'm pretty sure the three on the left are silk, and the red one appears to be one of those 50's nylon ones I've heard The Closet Historian talk about a few times.

I will also set these aside and someday find them a good home. They're too small for me to wear as cravats, but there must be some vintage ladies out there who want them.

Ok that's everything! Thank you for coming on this adventure with me!

Just grabbed this box of stuff from the free junk pile at an estate sale and I'm about to have the BEST afternoon! I will update you on the treasures later!

[ippnoida]

Xaar’s drupa presentation on textile inkjet printing

Xaar, an inkjet innovator, providing printheads and technologies for OEM and UDI customers worldwide, is inviting visitors at drupa to hear how the latest inkjet technologies are rewriting the rulebook for textile printing in a presentation to be made as part of the show’s touchpoint textile forum.

Speaking on June 3 in hall 4, Karl Forbes, the Xaar group’s R&D director, will show how its Aquinox printhead, utilizing Xaar’s Ultra High Viscosity printing and patented High Laydown Technology, is transforming productivity in digital textile printing.

Chemists at Nazdar were able to produce a new fluid technology that can deliver clarity and high pigment loading while simultaneously reducing the use of raw materials and energy costs. Vibrant, color-rich textiles can now be achieved by using half the traditional amount of ink and printhead passes, delivering significant machine productivity savings.

Notably, Nazdar’s new HighV Aqua Series includes a high viscosity white ink, which when coupled with the TF Technology embedded within Xaar’s Aquinox printhead, provides customers with quality textile printing at an efficiency that was previously unmatched.

Drupa will also see Xaar technology across the show – including its recent collaboration with Koenig & Bauer Kammann (Kammann) to create personalized embossed effects on glass bottles, plastic and metal containers at a build height of up to 3mm. Utilizing Xaar’s Nitrox printheads with new high viscosity fluids developed by global ink manufacturer Marabu, Kammann’s machines can jet at greater viscosity and carry a significantly increased pigment load, delivering more color vibrancy and capturing fine details with up to 50 per cent less ink. 

Colors no longer need pinning, delivering significant savings in the time required for printing, as well as reductions in energy and material use. Overall, the speed of production can be more than doubled, making inkjet printing a greater reality for a much wider variety of decorative applications.

Commenting on the exhibition, Karl Forbes said, “drupa is the perfect show for visitors to hear how Xaar’s inkjet technology is enabling the development of new fluids and providing access to the many potential benefits of digital printing.

“From UV inks requiring less curing energy to aqueous inks containing high pigment loading and a lower ratio of water, inkjet is now able to deliver the performance, sustainability and innovation demanded, rewriting the rulebook for textile printing and many other applications.”