A micro-transfer printing system comprises a source substrate having a substrate surface and components disposed in an array on, over, or in the substrate surface Each component has a component extent in a plane parallel to the substrate surface. A stamp comprises a stamp body and stamp posts extending away from the stamp body disposed in an array over the stamp body. Each of the stamp posts has (i) a post location corresponding to a component location of one of the components when the stamp is disposed in alignment with the source substrate, and (ii) a post surface extent on a distal end of the stamp post. The post surface extent is greater than the component extent.

A stamping tool is provided including a base and a cover. The cover is removably affixed to the base through a hinging assembly. The base can include a first base hinge and a second base hinge substantially perpendicular to the first base hinge. The base hinges can be one or more hinge sections. The hinge sections can include a first wall and a second wall that can be biased to define a cavity that is accessible through a channel between the first wall and the second wall. Hinge sections can be separated by one or more receptacles. The cover can include one or more hinge bars corresponding to the hinge sections on the base. The hinge bars can have an unequal aspect ratio allowing for easy insertion and removal of the cover. The cover can also include one or more protrusions separating the hinge bars. These protrusions correspond to the receptacles on the base. A method of stamping an article is also included wherein the stamping tool is provided. The cover is placed in an open position relative to the base. A stamp is adhered to the bottom surface of the cover. The article to be stamped is placed on the top surface of the base. A quantity of ink is applied to the stamp and, as the cover is placed in a closed position, the stamp is brought into contact with the article thereby stamping the article with the ink.

A stamping tool is provided including a base and a cover. The cover is removably affixed to the base through a hinging assembly. The base can include a first base hinge and a second base hinge substantially perpendicular to the first base hinge. The base hinges can be one or more hinge sections. The hinge sections can include a first wall and a second wall that can be biased to define a cavity that is accessible through a channel between the first wall and the second wall. Hinge sections can be separated by one or more receptacles. The cover can include one or more hinge bars corresponding to the hinge sections on the base. The hinge bars can have an unequal aspect ratio allowing for easy insertion and removal of the cover. The cover can also include one or more protrusions separating the hinge bars. These protrusions correspond to the receptacles on the base. A method of stamping an article is also included wherein the stamping tool is provided. The cover is placed in an open position relative to the base. A stamp is adhered to the bottom surface of the cover. The article to be stamped is placed on the top surface of the base. A quantity of ink is applied to the stamp and, as the cover is placed in a closed position, the stamp is brought into contact with the article thereby stamping the article with the ink.

A craftwork accessory may provide a portable and/or easy-to-use tool to help users accurately and repeatedly apply stamp impressions and the like to items such as cardstock. The accessory may include a base portion, one or more elevated side portions and cover portion. The side portions may define a workspace for arranging the item. The cover portion may be movably attached to the base portion or a side portion, for example, by one or more hinges. In operation, the item and stamp may be aligned in the workspace and the cover portion may be pressed onto the stamp to stick the stamp to the cover portion. The cover may then be opened, the stamp may be inked, and the cover portion may be closed and pressed onto the item to stamp the item. The accessory may include alignment indicia on the base portion, side portions and/or cover portion to facilitate placement of the item and/or stamp. The accessory may also include fastening mechanisms, such as magnetic elements, to facilitate placement of the item and/or stamp.

A craftwork accessory may provide a portable and/or easy-to-use tool to help users accurately and repeatedly apply stamp impressions and the like to items such as cardstock. The accessory may include a base portion, one or more elevated side portions and cover portion. The side portions may define a workspace for arranging the item. The cover portion may be movably attached to the base portion or a side portion, for example, by one or more hinges. In operation, the item and stamp may be aligned in the workspace and the cover portion may be pressed onto the stamp to stick the stamp to the cover portion. The cover may then be opened, the stamp may be inked, and the cover portion may be closed and pressed onto the item to stamp the item. The accessory may include alignment indicia on the base portion, side portions and/or cover portion to facilitate placement of the item and/or stamp. The accessory may also include fastening mechanisms, such as magnetic elements, to facilitate placement of the item and/or stamp.

A tax stamping machine includes an input system that transfers incoming cartons of cigarettes into a conveyor. The input station positions the upper surfaces of the cartons at a predefined height, and the conveyor retains the cartons at the predefined height as the cartons pass through the stamp applicating device. The stamp applicating device includes an opening station, a stamping station, and a closing station. The conveyor includes resilient pulleys that hold the cartons at a predefined height as the cartons move through the opening station, the stamping station, and the closing station such that the upper surfaces of the individual packs of cigarettes are always at the same predefined height regardless of the size of the cartons entering the machine.

A tax stamping machine includes an input system that transfers incoming cartons of cigarettes into a conveyor. The input station positions the upper surfaces of the cartons at a predefined height, and the conveyor retains the cartons at the predefined height as the cartons pass through the stamp applicating device. The stamp applicating device includes an opening station, a stamping station, and a closing station. The conveyor includes resilient pulleys that hold the cartons at a predefined height as the cartons move through the opening station, the stamping station, and the closing station such that the upper surfaces of the individual packs of cigarettes are always at the same predefined height regardless of the size of the cartons entering the machine.

A craftwork accessory may provide a portable and/or easy-to-use tool to help users accurately and repeatedly apply stamp impressions and the like to items such as cardstock. The accessory may include a base portion, one or more elevated side portions and cover portion. The side portions may define a workspace for arranging the item. The cover portion may be movably attached to the base portion or a side portion, for example, by one or more hinges. In operation, the item and stamp may be aligned in the workspace and the cover portion may be pressed onto the stamp to stick the stamp to the cover portion. The cover may then be opened, the stamp may be inked, and the cover portion may be closed and pressed onto the item to stamp the item. The accessory may include alignment indicia on the base portion, side portions and/or cover portion to facilitate placement of the item and/or stamp. The accessory may also include fastening mechanisms, such as magnetic elements, to facilitate placement of the item and/or stamp.

A craftwork accessory may provide a portable and/or easy-to-use tool to help users accurately and repeatedly apply stamp impressions and the like to items such as cardstock. The accessory may include a base portion, one or more elevated side portions and cover portion. The side portions may define a workspace for arranging the item. The cover portion may be movably attached to the base portion or a side portion, for example, by one or more hinges. In operation, the item and stamp may be aligned in the workspace and the cover portion may be pressed onto the stamp to stick the stamp to the cover portion. The cover may then be opened, the stamp may be inked, and the cover portion may be closed and pressed onto the item to stamp the item. The accessory may include alignment indicia on the base portion, side portions and/or cover portion to facilitate placement of the item and/or stamp. The accessory may also include fastening mechanisms, such as magnetic elements, to facilitate placement of the item and/or stamp.

A craftwork accessory may provide a portable and/or easy-to-use tool to help users accurately and repeatedly apply stamp impressions and the like to items such as cardstock. The accessory may include a base portion, one or more elevated side portions and cover portion. The side portions may define a workspace for arranging the item. The cover portion may be movably attached to the base portion or a side portion, for example, by one or more hinges. In operation, the item and stamp may be aligned in the workspace and the cover portion may be pressed onto the stamp to stick the stamp to the cover portion. The cover may then be opened, the stamp may be inked, and the cover portion may be closed and pressed onto the item to stamp the item. The accessory may include alignment indicia on the base portion, side portions and/or cover portion to facilitate placement of the item and/or stamp. The accessory may also include fastening mechanisms, such as magnetic elements, to facilitate placement of the item and/or stamp.