Pad Printing Guidelines

Check out our guidelines which are often overlooked or ignored.

Pad Care and Break-in

To achieve optimum results from our printing pads, we recommend that you practice the following guidelines within your pad printing department.

Pad Storage

Upon receipt of the print pads remove the protective PVC Wax coating from the pad surface. This cover is used to protect the pad surface during transit but if it is not removed it may inhibit the “total cure” process and leave an oily residue on the pad crown which may impair the release characteristics of the pad. in the event that the coating is left on the pad and an oily file is noticeable, we suggest that this film be removed by wiping the pad surface with MEK, Acetone or conventional alcohol prior to using the pads in production. All pads should be stored in a low moisture cool environment. A vented cabinet is recommended. Never store pads on top one another or so that the bases will come in contact with the pad crown as this will create deformities on the pad surface which will not allow that pad to be used online. Finally, never store pads in plastic bags as this will have the same adverse effect as leaving the cover on. In brief, store the pads with the crown or printing surface facing upright away from adjacent pads and without their protective cover.

Pad Break-In Procedure

All new pad surfaces must be wiped with solvent prior to being used online. Some silicone resins break in well with conventional alcohol whereas others may work better with Acetone, or MEK. Our pads may be cleaned with any of the above solvents, yet we recommend Acetone as it tends to quickly remove the excess oils inherent in the molding process. Never utilize ink solvents as cleaning agents as they will leave an oil residue on the pad surface which will yield a greater degree of rejected prints.

Equipment and Tool Guides

The following guidelines will ensure better print results and longer tool life.

Alcohol Wash Printing Plate Exposure Instructions

Remove plate from UV protective packaging.
Remove clear protective sheet from plate surface.
Place plate into exposure unit.
Place film positive with emulsion side down onto plate surface.
Place vacuum sheet over film positive.
Start vacuum sequence. Vacuum reading should be 15–20 HG.
Expose film positive for 45 seconds, or to customer predetermined exposure time.
Remove vacuum sheet from plate.
Using a universal screen tint (200 / 10%) place screen onto plate with emulsion side down.
Place vacuum sheet over screen tint.
Start vacuum sequence.
Expose screen tint for 30 seconds, or to customer predetermined exposure time.
Remove vacuum sheet from plate.
Remove screen tint.
Remove plate from exposure unit.
Develop entire plate with a plush cloth using DENATURED ALCOHOL for 1 minute.
Blow off image & plate with compressed air.
Place plate into convection oven @ 180 degrees F. for 10 minutes.
Remove plate from oven.
Allow plate to cool down to room temperature.
Place plate into exposure unit.
Re-expose plate (without vacuum) for 15 minutes.
Remove plate from exposure unit.
Plate making completed.

Water Wash Printing Plate Exposure Instructions

Remove plate from UV protective packaging.
Remove clear protective sheet from plate surface.
Place plate into exposure unit.
Place film positive with emulsion side down onto plate surface.
Place vacuum sheet over film positive.
Start vacuum sequence. Vacuum reading should be 15–20 HG.
Expose film positive for 45 seconds, or to customer predetermined exposure time.
Remove vacuum sheet from plate.
Using a universal screen tint (200 / 10%) place screen onto plate with emulsion side down.
Place vacuum sheet over screen tint.
Start vacuum sequence.
Expose screen tint for 30 seconds, or to customer predetermined exposure time.
Remove vacuum sheet from plate.
Remove screen tint.
Remove plate from exposure unit.
Develop entire plate with a plush cloth using LUKEWARM WATER for 1 minute.
Blow off image & plate with compressed air.
Place plate into convection oven @ 180 200 degrees F. for 15 minutes.
Remove plate from oven.
Allow plate to cool down to room temperature.
Place plate into exposure unit.
Re-expose plate (without vacuum) for 15 minutes.
Remove plate from exposure unit.
Plate making completed.

For technical support please call Jay Gignac at 603-491-5753
or email at <jay.gignac at accupad.com>