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General => General Discussion and ??? => Topic started by: Inspector graphix on May 28, 2015, 07:42:57 PM
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I am new to pad printing and im having a heck of a time. Is there anywhere to find information on how to learn pad printing or is there a school i can attend to learn. I need to learn how to burn the plates and how to set the job up. any help is appreciated.
steve
inspector graphix
mentor ohio
216 214 1161
thank you
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I had a hard time finding info. I watched tons of youtube vids... is there a specific question you have? I am a total rookie but if I can I would be happy to.
Matt
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We have been pad printing for 20 years, what's causing greif?
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There are some good videos here for beginners...
http://www.inkcups.com/equipment/pad-printing-machines/pad-printing-videos/Default.aspx (http://www.inkcups.com/equipment/pad-printing-machines/pad-printing-videos/Default.aspx)
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Inspector, welcome to the forum. As a forum, many share in the knowledge imparted by our generous, helpful members.
That's the point.
Many share the same problems.
A phone call to you won't help them.
So, start asking specifics, and watch the magic.
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here are a few issues i have, i own a single color all aluminum machine with a closed cup system. i set the job up and it seems like i loose a lot of ink onto the plate where i have to clean it constantly and the ink gets onto places on the printed items where it should not be. i call it pooling from the cup. i think the magnet on the cup is as tight as possible, i cant stop the leaking therefore i can only do a few items and then i have to almost breakdown and start clean. any thoughts please
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issue 2
i want to make my own plates but i never know if the image is burnt into the plate enough. i have water wash plates and burn them for 30 seconds each burn, i then wash out and re burn for 10 minutes then put into an oven at 250 degrees for 15 minutes i dont know if im doing this correct any ideas of where to go to find out
thanks
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here are a few issues i have, i own a single color all aluminum machine with a closed cup system. i set the job up and it seems like i loose a lot of ink onto the plate where i have to clean it constantly and the ink gets onto places on the printed items where it should not be. i call it pooling from the cup. i think the magnet on the cup is as tight as possible, i cant stop the leaking therefore i can only do a few items and then i have to almost breakdown and start clean. any thoughts please
Without a pic it's a stab in the dark, but ghosting on the plate after doctoring is most commonly due to ink being too thick. Add small amounts of thinner step by step, mix well by doctoring for at least 10 strokes or more then print 5 prints on paper to clear the image and then see if it's any better. If not add some more thinners and eventually it sould docor cleanly. It's a blaancing act, add too much thinners and you will get other issues. You are aiming for a good doctor and a good transfer off the pad at a reasonlable print speed (the holy grail of pad printing and often elusive when learning). If you go overboard with the thinners (easy to do) slow the press down and put a hair dryer blowing at the pad when it is over the product to dry the ink a bit so you get transfer.
Be aware of the speed of your thinners, if you are using a slow ink system (such as Printcolor Series 750) and you use slow thinners you will get trouble before you get a good doctor, faster ink systems such as Printcolor 752 or 711) can be run thinner, but there is a limit.
The other possibilty is the plate type you are using, what colour are they?
The magents are never the issue.
Don't forget that the temperature and humidity are big factors - if it's hot and humid it adds a whole raft of possible issues, but we can and do print regularly in 90% humidity and 30-35 degrees C heat - it just takes practice.
Experience is the best teacher, get in, get dirty and experiment. It takes a while to get a handle on the whole ink viscosity balance issue. Have a go with adding thinner and report back.
I would be happy to help via a Skype video call if time zones allow - we are on Australian Eastern Standard Time
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issue 2
i want to make my own plates but i never know if the image is burnt into the plate enough. i have water wash plates and burn them for 30 seconds each burn, i then wash out and re burn for 10 minutes then put into an oven at 250 degrees for 15 minutes i dont know if im doing this correct any ideas of where to go to find out
thanks
IME 90% of printing issues come from incorrect etch depth. But that's a whole half day class in itself, let's get ink viscosity down pat before moving onto plate making.