The flattop female blankers produced by Alpha consist of a 3/8 inch plywood layer laminated to a 1/4 inch plastic reinforcing layer. The plastic used is extremely strong and durable. Using the plastic in place of the steel makes for a less expensive and much lighter tool. Another advantage of using the plastic is that it makes the female blanker much more affordable, meaning customers can justify the cost for lower-quantity runs and still maintain profitability.