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Contact: Jerry Antaya (978-372-3443)
Ext. 241
Process
Survey Improves Efficiency, Reduces Cost
Frequently Asked Questions
• What is IMTRAN?
Imtran manufactures Pad Printing machines and supplies that
are used in the pad printing plates, pad printing inks
and technical support for your production needs.
• When is Pad Printing best used?
Pad printing process is best used on irregular shaped objects.
• What is needed to start?
A machine, printing plate, (temporary plate is available),
artwork, pad printing ink and thinner (hardener is sometimes
required), and a silicone printing pad.
• How much ink is needed?
Depending on the plate or eco-cup size, anywhere from 4 to
8 ounces of ink will be required. This total is a combined
mix of ink and thinner.
• What is an eco-cup?
An eco-cup is a completely enclosed plate inking system.
This consists of a round ceramic ring attached to a older
with magnets recessed in the center that holds itself to
the print plate.
• How do you add ink to an eco-cup?
Ink may be added to the cup through a hole on the top of
the eco-cup. This hole is normally locked with a plug.
This is easily removed with an allen wrench.
• How long will the ink last inside of the eco-cup?
Depending on whether or not a hardener is added, generally
six hours or more once the proper ink mixture is achieved.
• What is the best ink formula to use?
All inks vary is base viscosity (thickness) from the can.
IMTRAN inks can be thinned 25% with the exception of white
ink that should only be thinned 18%.
• Why is less thinner used in white ink?
There is less volume of white ink; therefore 25% thinner
would dilute the consistency too much. At 18%, the mixture
will look the same as the others.
• How do you know if your ink is too thick?
One or more prints will be made, then the quality of your
image will degrade. When you stop the machine, look at
the printing pad. No ink on the pad means that it has dried
onto the plate.
• How do you know if your ink is too thin?
Several prints will be made and a degradation of the printed
image will be noticed. Stop and look at the printing pad.
An excessive buildup of ink will be noticed. Touch this
ink with your finger and it will smear or be sticky.
• How do you fix ink problems of either too thin or too
think ink?
If ink is too thick, your only option is to add thinner to
it. When your ink is too thin, you have the following options:
1) Slow the machine down to allow for more tack dry time.
2) Add air movement to the pad as it travels forward.
3) Insert a delay pad down.
4) Change your ink by adding ink from original can.
5) Start over.
• My new pad will not pick up ink – why?
New printing pads have to be wiped with solvent that removes
silicone from the surface of the pad. See pad break-in
procedure for further details.
• How long will printing pads last?
Generally, pads will last between 30,000 prints and 100,000
prints. This solely depends on the surface being printed
on and the pad durometer.
• How will I know to replace my printing pad?
The surface will have mechanical wear on it. It may not release
ink properly and require constant tape off. The print pad
may have an excessively sticky surface.
• What is the best way to store a used printing pad?
Store silicone pads on their base with nothing touching the
silicone surface. Be sure to remove all ink from the surface
prior to placing it in storage.
• What is the best way to clean a silicone printing pad
that was in storage?
Simply clean the surface with alcohol to remove the dust
and dirt.
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About
ITW Imtran
Short
Eco-Slide - Flexibility at an Affordable Price. Long, narrow images may
be printed using an Imtran GS-100 fitted with a short Eco-Slide and 3.5" closed
ink cup.
