Pad Printing on Non-Horizontal Planes

Machines such as this are suited for printing onto surfaces that are vertical or angled. All of the standard inking mechanisms are used with these machines, but generally, they tend to use smaller cliches.

Applications seldom call for printing onto surfaces that are vertical or angled. However, machines are available that are ideally suited for such work (Figure 91).

This equipment is often used in conjunction with vertical-stroke machines for printing onto the side of objects while the conventional machines are printing on the top. The print angle can be altered up to 90°; some machines will even print upward. All of the standard inking mechanisms are used with these machines, but as a rule, they tend to use smaller cliches.

Choosing a Pad Printing Machine - Introduction In the padprinting industry purchasing decisions are often based on asswnptions that are simply nuts - literally.
Manually Operated Pad Printing Presses Except in cases where pad printing will be done on a very small scale, manual machines are not even entry level anymore. However, some may be useful for testing purposes.
Open Ink Trough Pad Printing Machines In these original semiautomatic machines, the inking mechanism is mounted above the cliche. Although more modern models ha we better features, contro/lirrg ink condition fluctuations.
Partially Covered Ink Troughs In these machines, ink is contained in a trough behind the cliche. The ink is pulled forward by a spatula mounted on a horizontal carriage with the doctor-blade assembly.
Sealed Ink Cup Pad Printing Machines These presses are designed to contain the ink in a cup that is turned upside down and pressed firmly against the cliche, sealing in the ink.
Reciprocating Cliches Pad Printing Machines In these models, instead of the pad moving back and forth from cliche to substrate, the cliche moves out of the way, while the pad remains stationary.
Rotary Pad Printing Presses These presses use a rotary drum-type sllicone pad, usually in conjunction with a steel cylinder cllche into which the desfgn is etched.
Total Colour Transfer System This technique, used almost exclusively in ceramic decoration, combines pad and screen printing.
Carousel Style Pad Printing System This multicolour pad-printing system uses a cambination of two rotary tables and a rotating pad carousel.
Non-Horizontal Pad Printing Machines such as this are suited for printing onto surfaces that are vertical or angled.
Computer Numeric Control (CNC) In presses with computer numeric control (CNC), the substrate is stationary and the pads are programmed to print one image at a time onto the item.
Pad Printing Press Options Most manufacturers provide a variety of add-ons for their presses.
How to decide what machine to buy To enable you to judge which press to buy, you will at least need answers to all of the questions shown under Purchasing Considerations.
Pad Printing Machine Purchasing Considerations Trying to decide which pad-printing machine to buy? Start by answering the following questions.