EC-17 vs EC-27: Which Maxita Hot-Foil Machine Actually Fits Your Bench?
1) Size & Weight: do you need “pack up and go,” or a planted workhorse?
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EC-17 — compact footprint (~20 × 35 × 30 cm) and light (~7.5 kg). Easier to move between rooms, pop-ups, or a shared studio desk. Your bench stays tidy, your back says thanks. (Dimensions are our in-house measurements; expect small variance by batch.)
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EC-27 — larger body (~23 × 33 × 35 cm) and heavier (≈14–16 kg). It sits like a proper shop machine and feels rock-solid through long sessions. The product page confirms the more substantial chassis and build. CÍ OFFICIAL
Call it: frequent travel or tight desks → EC-17. Fixed bench and all-day sessions → EC-27.
2) Workspace you can actually use (finished bags vs small goods)
This is where the feel changes.
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EC-27 ships with an elevated/suspended worktable (≈16 × 20 cm), so bulky pieces—bag bodies, straps, gussets—can drop down and not crash into the machine frame. Reaching awkward spots is simply easier. CÍ OFFICIAL+1
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EC-17 has a tighter plate (≈15 × 15 cm) that’s perfect for wallets, cardholders, patches, and logo hits. For flat, small work, you won’t miss the bigger table. CÍ OFFICIAL
Rule of thumb: mostly small, flat items → EC-17. Lots of finished-bag work or deep drop-offs → EC-27. (If you sew bags, you’ll notice the difference on day one.)
3) Positioning: built-in vs add-on vs “mechanical zero” (and when each wins)
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EC-27 includes integrated alignment aids out of the box; that’s handy when you repeat the same placement all day. CÍ OFFICIAL
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EC-17 can be upgraded with an add-on alignment module when you want it. There’s an official upgrade path discussed in the brand’s materials. CÍ OFFICIAL
That said, a lot of pros live by mechanical positioning for repeatability:
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Positioning Caliper — lock your X/Y once and run a batch without re-eyeballing. Available sized for both tables (20 × 16 cm on EC-27, 15 × 15 cm on EC-17). CÍ OFFICIAL
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Transparent Acrylic Positioning Holder (works with #2 holder) — what-you-see-is-what-you-get alignment; especially nice on thicker stacks or curved edges where optical guides can be finicky. The maker explicitly calls this out as an advantage for thick/curved work. CÍ OFFICIAL+1
Takeaway: on thick leather or odd geometry, the clear holder often beats optics; for batch runs, the caliper is simply faster and more consistent. Build your workflow around the job, not the spec sheet. CÍ OFFICIAL+1
4) Temperature control: steady is the whole game
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EC-27 uses an Omron controller—industry-standard, stable over long standbys. CÍ OFFICIAL
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EC-17 uses Autonics—equally steady in practice, also meant for sustained operation. CÍ OFFICIAL
Both will hold temperature for the length of a normal build day. The more important move is building your process card:
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Start cooler and step up (foil types vary a lot).
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Change a single variable at a time: temp / dwell / pressure.
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Log the combo that gives clean transfer on your leather and your foil. (Then stop fiddling. Tape that card to the wall.)
If you want deeper walkthroughs, the brand’s machine guides and technique posts cover practical ranges and workflow details. CÍ OFFICIAL+1
5) Real-world setups (copy and steal these)
Wallets & cardholders
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Table angle modest; piece flat. Caliper for repeat logo placement; clear holder for corner hits on curved edges.
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Park needles on the magnetic strip between passes; keep hands free for the peel. (Yes, that tiny ergonomics thing speeds you up.)
Belts & straps (20–35 mm)
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Flatter table works; support the free end so the strap stays level.
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Tapered tips? Nudge alignment a hair every few centimeters to keep slant consistent.
Finished bags / gussets
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This is where EC-27’s suspended table earns its keep—the drop-off saves you from fighting the frame.
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For thicker stacks, use the transparent holder to preview exactly where the deboss sits before heat. CÍ OFFICIAL+1
6) Power, duty cycle, and bench manners
Both models are supplied in 110 V / 220 V variants appropriate to your region, and both are designed for long sessions without drama. Keep your platen clean, your holder faces smooth, and you’ll get consistent pulls all week. The collection and product pages reflect the global shipping/power options. CÍ OFFICIAL+1
7) Accessories that pay for themselves
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Positioning Caliper — batch work hero; fewer rejects, faster rhythm. CÍ OFFICIAL
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Transparent Acrylic Positioning Holder (#2 holder) — thick leather, curved edges, and one-off “trust-your-eyes” placements. CÍ OFFICIAL
Add them to either machine; the speed and consistency bump is real. There’s even a round-up on “must-have” tooling if you’re building a fresh bench. CÍ OFFICIAL
Quick chooser (30-second version)
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Small goods, tight desks, on the move → EC-17 (compact; add alignment later if you want). CÍ OFFICIAL
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Bags, thicker stacks, more reach → EC-27 (suspended worktable; planted feel). CÍ OFFICIAL+1
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Batch work → either machine + Positioning Caliper; for thick/curved work add the Transparent Holder. CÍ OFFICIAL+1
FAQ (for humans, not robots)
Will I get clamp marks or “melted” edges?
Set up with tests. Once you find the right temperature–dwell–pressure combo for your leather + foil, you’ll be fine. Start cooler, step up slowly, and keep notes. CÍ OFFICIAL
Can the EC-17 use alignment?
Yes—there’s an add-on path if you want it later, and many shops prefer mechanical solutions (caliper / transparent holder) for speed and certainty on thick or curved pieces. CÍ OFFICIAL+2CÍ OFFICIAL+2
Is Omron vs Autonics a deal-breaker?
No. Both are stable for long workdays; process control matters more than the logo on the controller. CÍ OFFICIAL+1
Bottom line
If your world is logos on wallets, small flat goods, and a bench that has to stay nimble → EC-17 feels great. If you live in finished bags and awkward geometry, and you want room to maneuver under the head → EC-27 lands better. Either way, build a repeatable setup (caliper for batches; transparent holder for thick/curved), pin down your heat/dwell/pressure, and you’ll ship cleaner foils, faster. CÍ OFFICIAL+2CÍ OFFICIAL+2
About CÍ OFFICIAL (and why people bookmark us)
CÍ is a boutique leather-work tool house. We run our own factory and also partner with independent tool designers we admire. Nearly worldwide free shipping, and long-term support when you actually need help—not just on day one. On the shelf: hot-foil machines, pricking irons, stitching ponies, skivers, knives… and a bunch of small, thoughtful bits that make bench life easier. CÍ OFFICIAL
References (Harvard style)
CÍ OFFICIAL 2025, Maxita Hot Foil Stamping/Embossing Machine EC-27, CÍ OFFICIAL website, viewed 28 August 2025. CÍ OFFICIAL
CÍ OFFICIAL 2025, Maxita EC-17 Hot Foil Stamp/Embossing Machine, CÍ OFFICIAL website, viewed 28 August 2025. CÍ OFFICIAL
CÍ OFFICIAL 2025, Maxita Positioning Caliper for EC-27/17, CÍ OFFICIAL website, viewed 28 August 2025. CÍ OFFICIAL
CÍ OFFICIAL 2025, Transparent Acrylic Positioning Holder for Maxita Hot Foil Stamp Machine, CÍ OFFICIAL website, viewed 28 August 2025. CÍ OFFICIAL
CÍ OFFICIAL 2025, The Ultimate Guide to Hot Foil Stamping with the Maxita EC-27 & EC-17, CÍ OFFICIAL blog, viewed 28 August 2025. CÍ OFFICIAL
CÍ OFFICIAL 2025, Pros and Cons of Infrared Positioning on the Maxita EC-27, CÍ OFFICIAL blog, viewed 28 August 2025. CÍ OFFICIAL
CÍ OFFICIAL 2025, Boutique Store | High-Quality Tools for Leathercraft, CÍ OFFICIAL website, viewed 28 August 2025. CÍ OFFICIAL
