Pressing numbers and designs into cheeses

[Mermaid]

I wanted to share how I keep track of my cheese batches besides keeping a detailed log book. I emboss numbers into the surface of the cheese ! I learned this from Peter Dixon and I've been happy with the results.

I bought very thin sheets of plastic sold as cutting boards in a kitchen store. They ce in many bright colors! I drew the number free hand and cut with scissors - easy because the plastic is so thin. Then on the final flip of a cheese I place the number on the side that is facing up, cover with cheesecloth and press. In the morning the number is nicely embossed and it stays - although a bit faded - during aging.

Peter said some people even cut out silhouettes of cow, sheep, or goats to press onto a cheese. Crafty and useful!

[Danbo]

Very nice - great idea!

Thank you for sharing...

AC4U. :-)

[Al Lewis]

Your freehand is a lot better than mine! LOL  Great job!!

[Danbo]

Nice mould you have used by the way...

[Mermaid]

Thank you Danbo and Al!
I originally cut out the numbers on paper before tracing onto the plastic to avoid wasting the plastic. It was $10.00 for a pack of 4 large plastic cutting boards.
The plastic is smooth on one side and bumpy on the other. I use smooth side down.

[Stinky]

Ah, nice! Have a cheese.

[awakephd]

Great idea. AC4U!

[Alpkäserei]

basically the same idea is used for marking AOP Gruyere cheese in Switzerland

Other cheeses use casein labels that adhere to the surface of the cheese.

I personally prefer the look of the pressed in marks.

Good idea with the cutting boards, I have been wanting to make some labels and wondered where to get the materials

[Boofer]

I wanted to share how I keep track of my cheese batches besides keeping a detailed log book. I emboss numbers into the surface of the cheese ! I learned this from Peter Dixon and I've been happy with the results.

I bought very thin sheets of plastic sold as cutting boards in a kitchen store. They ce in many bright colors! I drew the number free hand and cut with scissors - easy because the plastic is so thin. Then on the final flip of a cheese I place the number on the side that is facing up, cover with cheesecloth and press. In the morning the number is nicely embossed and it stays - although a bit faded - during aging.

Peter said some people even cut out silhouettes of cow, sheep, or goats to press onto a cheese. Crafty and useful!

You'll find earlier efforts to impose cheese with stencils if you search on the forum.

You've got a nice interpretation.

-Boofer-

[Dayspring Dairy]

Does anyone know if number/letter IDs are available commercially?  My batch sizes are too big for me to cut out dozens of numbers.   I would also like to get a custom logo stamp for my cheeses.  Any ideas?  Thanks!

[Mermaid]

Day spring - I'm in the same position! Hope someone knows!

[Dayspring Dairy]

I found these on the Laude website in the Netherlands.  They are a pleasure to deal with as I just ordered molds from them.  I'll check on pricing but it's a start.  Good exchange rate right now so hoping they are affordable.

http://www.laude.nl/our-products/pressing-stamps-marking-plates/marking-plate/

[Mermaid]

Thanks!

[valley ranch]

Mermaid, Thanks, I really like that, embossing the number or name on the cheese.


Richard

[Gregore]

I think that one could take a cutting board to a machinist and have them cut into it and make a recessed logo  and cut the outside to fit the mold frame.

It would probably be reasonable if one already had the cad layout

If my machine was a little bigger I would offer that service ,  but it is too small to be cost effective

A sign maker with a CNC router might be able to do,it also.  My guess is less than a $100  and if you got multiples it would come down in price .