Side Plate

Side Plate

How to Make Photopolymer Printing Plates (Pad Printing Clichés) - Instructions & Videos

What is Pad Printing?
Pad printing is an industrial process of printing onto for objects with curved and/or uneven surfaces. Pad printing machine has 3 main components: the pad, ink cup and the printing plate (also known as a pad printing cliché.) The ink cup slides over the image etched into the plate and leaves a thin layer of ink in the etched area. The printing pad picks up the ink from the plate and transfers it to the parts by gently pressing down on one after the other. The pad printing plate is the most important part of the printing process; this is where the image is set. How well the image is set into the plate will largely determine of the quality of the printed image.

Types of Pad Printing Clichés
There are three types of plates that may be used with a pad printer: photopolymer printing plates, laser plates, thin steel plates and thick steel plates. Laser plates are designed to be etched directly from a digital file, sent from a computer to a laser engraver. Thin steel plates are chemically etched. Thick steel plates can be either chemically etched or laser etched. Photopolymer printing plates are made by exposure to light, developing and curing, a process that takes a film positive, exposure unit and curing oven.

The Challenges of Photopolymer Plate Making
Making a photopolymer pad printing cliché is a multi step process, which involves making a film positive first and then exposing, developing and curing the plate. There are many variables, things can easily go wrong and they often do. Over the years, the technical support team at Inkcups Now Corp. found that the number one reason for misprints, substandard prints and production stoppages are the various mistakes in polymer plate making process. These step by step written instructions below coupled with video instructions are meant to help people get it right. If you still have questions or problems, feel free to contact the Inkcups Team, we are here to be your partner in decorating projects!

Video Instructions on Making Photopolymer Plates & Film Positives
Here is a link to the FILM POSITIVE MAKING VIDEO for the pad printing plate.
Here is a link to the PHOTOPOLYMER PLATE MAKING VIDEO, which shows how to expose, develop and cure the pad printing cliché.

Written Instructions on Photopolymer Plate Making:
1. Spray the film positive with TONER SPRAY.
2. Cut out the film positive to fit the size of the plate.
3. Remove the protective plastic from the plate.
4. Place the film positive FACE DOWN on the plate.
5. Place in the Exposure Unit, expose to UV light for 60 seconds
6. Remove the film positive from the plate; replace with screen film.
7. Expose to UV light for 60 seconds.
8. Remove the screen film from the plate.
9. Gently rub the plate with Plate Developer for 60 seconds.
10. Rinse the plate with water to remove the plate developer.
11. Dry the plate with compressed air.
12. Place the plate in a Drying Oven for 10 minutes.
13. Remove the plate from the drying oven, put back into the Exposure Unit.
14. Expose to UV light for 10 minutes.

The Best Method for Making Pad Printing Cliches - Laser Engravable Plates Creating photopolymer plates may be the most cost effective method, however it is not the best method. Photopolymer plate making takes 20-40 minutes, the image is second generation, and not as sharp.

There is a fast method, producing superior quality plates: laser plate-making. Laser etched image is first generation (digital image goes directly onto the plate, without the film positive stage); the etch has straight walls and is totally repeatable every time. Laser plate making takes only 3-5 minutes and does not involve any chemicals. Inkcups Now pioneered direct to plate laser technology and has a lineup of Laser Engravable pad printing plate materials to accommodate any application and production requirements, learn more here: www.inkcups.com/supplies/laser-plates/

About the Author

Inkcups Now Corporation ( http://www.inkcups.com ) is a manufacturer and distributor of pad printing and screen printing supplies, equipment as well as innovatory computer to plate laser plate-makers and inkjet printers. Offices are located in the U.S. (MA, CA, GA, RI) and Canada. For more information please visit www.inkcups.com or call 1-978-646-8980.

Side Plate $6.25 Side Plate

Side Plate 2P $17.35 Side Plate 2P

Shackle Side Plate $3.99 Shackle Side Plate;

Side Guard Plate-L/R $5.15 Side Guard Plate-L/R

Side guard plate-L/R $3.5 Side guard plate-L/R

BS501-036 Side Guard Plate-L/R $5.64 Guard Plate

BS701-025 Side guard plate L/R $8.46 guard plate

Fragment of a Clay Plate: Side A: Combat-B Side: Bull $34.99 Fragment of a Clay Plate: Side A: Combat-B Side: Bull - Giclee Print

Dressed Side Plate by Alessi $28 Small, smooth, shallow and scalloped. Made out of clean white porcelain with delicate scalloped edges, the Alessi Dressed Side Plate makes a subtly decorative accent to a place setting. It comes in a size and shape ideal for bread or any other meal starters. Part of the Dressed collection by Marcel Wanders. Alessi, known as the Italian design factory, has manufactured household products since 1921, the stylish and fun items offered are the result of contemporary partnerships with some of the world's best designers of unique and modern home accessories. The Alessi Dressed Side Plate is available with the following: Details:Made of White porcelainDesigned by Marcel WandersShipping: In Stock items ship within 1 business day. Others usually ship within 2 weeks unless otherwise noted. Dimensions: Plate: Diameter 8 In.

Tu Coastal Stripe Side Plate $3 This Tu Coastal Stripe Side Plate features sharp blue stripes and will complement any table setting. Being earthenware it's suitable for the dishwasher. Microwavable.

Crossmember Plate $149.99 Crossmember Plate; Rear; w/Side Brackets; Hardware;

Tu Fair and Square Side Plate $3 Made from hand-painted earthenware this attractive side plate is ideal for any food lover! Decorated with a border of hearts it's a great piece for casual dining and family meals.

Tu Chunky White Porcelain Side Plate $2.5 Stylish and contemporary this porcelain side plate is ideal for formal dining or for a snack on the side. Elegant and practical it will grace any table and is microwave and dishwasher safe.

Alvin 10651 Left Side Pulley Plate Wknob $28.08 Left Side Pulley Plate with Knob. Designed to suit any budget. Satisfaction ensured. High quality components.

Shackle Side Plate by Crown Automotive for Jeep $2.99 Shackle Plate JEEP CJ5 1972 1973 1974 1975 3.8L (232) 4.2L (258) 5L (304) GAS Shackle Side Plate by Crown Automotive for Jeep

Tu Square Black Porcelain Side Plate $1.5 A great way to achieve a modern look for your meal table, this Square Black Porcelain Side Plate is elegant and practical.Dishwasher and microwave safe.

MA0827-6 Left Lwr Side Plate 60 $14.69 MA0827-6 Left Lwr Side Plate 60 Type: Replacement Parts Color: Multi-Color Gender: Unisex Age: Adult

Omix-Ada 18270.22 - Shackle Side Plate $3.99 1972 to 1975 CJ5;Front passenger side JEEP CJ5 1972 1973 1974 1975 3.8L (232) 4.2L (258) 5L (304) GAS Omix-Ada 18270.22 - Shackle Side Plate

Tu Square White Porcelain Side Plate $3 This square side plate from Tu offers a more modernist take on china. Made from porcelain it's reassuringly weighty and both dishwasher- and microwave-safe. A matching bowl serving bowl diner plate and a serving platter are also available.

The Dark Side Funny License Plate Frame by CafePress $18 Come to the Dark Side - we have cookies Funny License Plate Frame . A real roadside attraction, get your driver's attitude or cause across on this cool License Plate Frame. Constructed of sturdy, durable, shiny chrome that makes your message POP. Images are applied with a permanent adhesive weatherproof decal. UV and w

Winch Plate $183.99 Winch Plate; Incl. Mini Brush Guard; Bolt Pattern 10 in. Side-Side/4.5 in. Front-Back; Black Powder Coat;

Smittybilt Side Step w/Cleated step plate by N-Fab $499.99 Smittybilt Side Step w/Cleated step plate; 78.9 in. Bed; Stainless Steel; 4 Step;