Maxita EC-17 vs EC-27: What Really Matters When You’re Choosing a Hot Foil Stamping Machine

If you spend any time around leather studios, you’ll hear people swear by Maxita’s hot foil machines.
Both the EC-17 and EC-27 turn out the same crisp, professional stamp—but they feel different once you start using them.
After testing and talking with other makers, here’s a straight-up look at how they compare and what those details actually mean when you’re in the middle of a project.

1. Size & Weight: Travel Buddy or Studio Anchor

This is the first thing you notice.

EC-17 is the one you can toss in the car for a pop-up workshop or a craft fair without feeling like you’re hauling gym equipment.
Roughly 20 cm wide × 35 cm deep × 30 cm high and around 7.5 kg, it’s genuinely portable.

EC-27 is more of a stay-put machine: about 23 cm × 33 cm × 35 cm, weighing 14–16 kg.
Not exactly massive, but you’ll want a dedicated table.
If you’re short on space or love working outside the studio, the EC-17 just makes life easier.

2. Working Space: Tiny Goods vs. Big Builds

For jewelry, wallets, or small leather goods, the EC-17’s footprint is totally fine.
But if you’re stamping the side of a tote or anything that needs extra clearance, the EC-27’s suspended worktable is a game-changer.
You can slide and reposition bigger pieces without bumping into the frame—less wrestling, more stamping.

3. Positioning: Infrared or Old-School Precision

The EC-27 ships with infrared positioning, which is handy for quick alignment.
The EC-17 skips it, but don’t write it off—there are accessories that many pros say are even more precise:

• Positioning Caliper – locks horizontal and vertical placement so every stamp lands dead-on, perfect for batch runs.

• Transparent Acrylic Holder – lets you preview exactly where the design will sit before you fire up the heat (pair with #2 holder).

Honestly, a lot of people end up preferring these tools over standard infrared once they’ve tried them.

4. Temperature Control: Reliable Either Way

Here’s the boring-but-critical bit:

EC-17 uses an Autonics controller.
EC-27 uses an Omron controller.

Both are rock-solid, stable for long standby sessions, and keep heat consistent so your foil transfer doesn’t wander.
Pick either—you won’t lose sleep over temperature drift.

So…Which One?

It really comes down to where and how you work:

Grab the EC-17 if portability and small-space flexibility matter.
Choose the EC-27 if you’ve got the bench space, handle bigger projects, or like the built-in infrared guide.

Either way, CÍ ships worldwide, backs every Maxita machine with long-term support, and stocks all the accessories you’ll eventually want once you start experimenting.

References

CÍ Official 2025, Maxita EC-17 & EC-27 Hot Foil Stamping Machine Specifications, CÍ Official, viewed 25 September 2025, https://ciofficial.com.
Maxita 2025, Product manuals and user feedback from professional leatherworking forums, Maxita, viewed 25 September 2025.