Magnetizer Machines for Post-Print Magnetic Production
Turning Printed Magnetic Media into Finished Magnet Products
Printing directly onto flexible magnetic media gives converters, commercial printers, sign shops, and promotional product manufacturers more ways to produce custom magnetic products. However, with certain printing technologies, pre-magnetized material can require additional attention during the feeding and handling process.
Magnum Magnetics® offers magnetizer machines that allow compatible magnetic media to remain unmagnetized during printing and finishing. Once the printing, coating, laminating, or cutting process is complete, the material can be magnetized as a final production step.
This post-print magnetization process helps magnetic media feed more like other printable sheet materials while giving your operation greater control over the finished product.
Whether you produce occasional short-run projects or regularly manufacture printed magnets, Magnum Magnetics can help you identify a magnetization solution that supports your equipment, material format, production volume, and application requirements.
Why Magnetize After Printing?
Flexible magnetic material naturally attracts other magnetic sheets and metal surfaces. While that attraction is essential for the finished product, it can make magnetized media more difficult to feed through certain printing and finishing equipment.
Post-print magnetization allows you to print compatible magnetic media before the material has been magnetized. The magnetic field is added after the printing and finishing processes are complete.
A typical production workflow may include:
- Printing onto unmagnetized magnetic media.
- Completing any required coating, laminating, cutting, or finishing.
- Passing the finished material through a magnetizer.
- Packaging or shipping the completed magnetic product.
This approach can help simplify production while keeping more of the manufacturing process under your control.
Magnetizer Machine Options
The Magnum Magnetics portable desktop magnetizer is an economical option for businesses producing short runs, smaller sheets, or occasional magnetic projects.
The unit is designed to magnetize compatible flexible magnetic media after it has been printed and finished. Its compact design allows it to be placed on a tabletop or work surface without requiring a permanent production installation.
When the magnetizer is not being used, the case can be closed for convenient storage until the next project.
Portable Desktop Magnetizer Benefits
- Compact and easy to store
- Designed for small and short-run projects
- Simple material feeding
- Durable construction
- Reliable, repeatable operation
- Low-maintenance design
- Helps bring magnetization capabilities in-house
The portable magnetizer can process an entire compatible sheet as it passes through the machine. An integrated feed tray and guide help operators maintain proper material alignment and consistent feeding.
The machine operates at approximately 50 to 60 feet per minute, depending on the material and production conditions.
U.S. Patent Nos. 8,174,346 and 8,754,733
Canada Patent No. 2,832,276
The Magnum Magnetics handheld magnetizer provides a simple solution for low-volume, occasional, or specialty magnetic projects.
Its lightweight, non-metallic housing makes it easy to handle and move across the magnetic side of printed material. Because the unit is manually operated, it can be a practical choice for businesses that do not need a larger desktop system.
The handheld magnetizer creates a magnetized path approximately six inches wide with each pass. The operator moves the unit across the magnetic side of the finished material until the required area has been magnetized.
Handheld Magnetizer Benefits
- Lightweight and portable
- No permanent installation required
- Designed for occasional production
- Useful for smaller finished pieces
- Easy to transport between work areas
- Practical entry point into post-print magnetization
- Helps reduce the need to outsource simple magnetization work
The handheld option may be appropriate for producing smaller magnetic graphics, refrigerator magnets, promotional magnets, identification pieces, samples, prototypes, and other limited-volume applications.
U.S. Patent Nos. 8,410,880 and 8,410,881
Need a Different Magnetization Solution?
Every printing and converting operation is different. Material width, thickness, production speed, sheet size, equipment configuration, magnetic strength, and finished application can all influence which magnetization method is appropriate.
Magnum Magnetics may be able to recommend additional magnetization options based on your production requirements.
Contact your Magnum Magnetics sales representative to discuss:
- Your printing method
- Material type and thickness
- Sheet or roll dimensions
- Expected production volume
- Required magnetic strength
- Current finishing process
- Available production space
- Manual or automated workflow preferences
- Equipment lease opportunities
Our team can help you evaluate your application and determine the most practical path for adding post-print magnetization to your operation.
Benefits of Post-Print Magnetization
Improve Material Feeding
Magnetized sheets can attract one another, making them more difficult to separate and feed consistently. In some equipment, this can contribute to sheets sticking together, double-feeding, misfeeding, or jamming.
Printing the material before magnetization can help reduce these challenges.
Expand Your Printable Magnet Capabilities
Post-print magnetization gives printers access to compatible magnetic materials that can be printed, finished, and converted before the magnetic field is applied.
This can support a broader range of finished products, sizes, shapes, graphics, and applications.
Maintain Greater Production Control
Adding magnetization as an in-house finishing step can help reduce dependence on outside suppliers. Your team can manage printing, finishing, magnetization, inspection, and packaging within the same production workflow.
Support Shorter Turnaround Times
When magnetization can be completed at your facility, finished products do not need to be shipped to an outside provider for an additional production step.
This can help simplify scheduling and reduce avoidable transportation time.
Reduce Specialized Pressroom Requirements
Unmagnetized magnetic media may be easier to handle during printing than material that has already been magnetized. This can reduce the need for special separation methods or temporary transfer materials used to manage magnetic attraction.
Produce Magnetic Products On Demand
In-house magnetization allows businesses to produce finished magnetic products as orders are received. This can be particularly valuable for short runs, personalized graphics, prototypes, regional campaigns, and frequently changing designs.
How Magnum Magnetics Magnetizers Work
Magnetizers apply a controlled magnetic pattern to compatible flexible magnetic material. This process activates the magnetic properties needed for the material to adhere to an appropriate metal or magnetically receptive surface.
The magnetic side of the material must be properly positioned as it passes through or beneath the magnetizing components. Following the recommended feeding direction and operating procedure is important for achieving consistent results.
The best magnetizer depends on several factors, including:
- Material construction
- Material thickness
- Product dimensions
- Required holding strength
- Production speed
- Frequency of use
- Finished application
Your Magnum Magnetics representative can help review these considerations before recommending an equipment option.
Products You Can Create with Post-Print Magnetization
Post-print magnetization can support a wide variety of printed magnetic products, including:
- Refrigerator magnets
- Business card magnets
- Promotional magnets
- Magnetic calendars
- Photo magnets
- Save-the-date magnets
- Magnetic schedules
- Magnetic menus
- Vehicle signs
- Changeable signs
- Retail graphics
- Point-of-purchase displays
- Educational materials
- Recognition and identification magnets
- Custom-cut magnetic shapes
- Short-run promotional products
The appropriate material and magnetization method will depend on the size, thickness, holding requirements, and intended use of the finished product.
Choosing the Right Magnetizer
Before selecting a magnetizer, consider how the equipment will fit into your overall production process.
Production Volume
A handheld magnetizer may be suitable for occasional projects, samples, and smaller production quantities. A portable desktop unit may be more appropriate when magnetization is performed more frequently or when full sheets need to be processed consistently.
Material Size
Review the width, length, and thickness of the material you expect to magnetize. Equipment capabilities may vary by format and construction.
Finished Application
A refrigerator magnet, vehicle sign, promotional product, and retail display may each require different magnetic performance. Understanding the finished application helps determine the appropriate material and magnetization pattern.
Workflow and Available Space
Consider where the magnetizer will be placed, how material will move through the work area, and whether the equipment needs to be stored between production runs.
Future Production Needs
A magnetizer should support your current projects while giving your business room to pursue new magnetic applications. Discuss both immediate and future opportunities with your Magnum Magnetics sales representative.
Why Choose Magnum Magnetics?
Magnum Magnetics manufactures flexible magnetic materials in the United States and supports customers with technical knowledge developed over decades of magnetic manufacturing experience.
When you work with Magnum Magnetics, you gain access to a team that understands the relationship between magnetic material, printing, finishing, magnetization, and finished-product performance.
Our team can help you:
- Select compatible printable magnetic mediaadhere to an appropriate metal or magnetically receptive
- Understand post-print magnetization
- Evaluate magnetizer equipment options
- Review material sizes and thicknesses
- Identify potential production challenges
- Explore equipment lease opportunities
- Develop a workflow suited to your operation
We do more than supply magnetic material. We help customers find practical ways to turn magnetic media into successful finished products.
Bring Magnetization Into Your Production Process
Post-print magnetization can help your business produce magnetic graphics more efficiently while maintaining control over quality, scheduling, and finished-product options.
Speak with your Magnum Magnetics sales representative to determine whether a handheld, portable desktop, or another available magnetization option is right for your operation.
Call 800.258.0991 or contact Magnum Magnetics today to request product information and discuss your application.
