DIY Pad Printing on Metal
Pad printing is a very specific printing process often used on bare metal, or anodized painted or powder coated metal. It is also frequently used on other hard nonporous surfaces such as plastics and glass. Most pad printing is done in industrial applications. Do-it-yourself machines are available, although they can be expensive and are not known for their durability. While each press differs slightly, the process used to pad print is the same with all presses.
Instructions
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1
Open the press. Slide the metal into the brackets that hold the substrate in place. Close the press.
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2
Turn the crank on the press. Rollers will apply the ink, then a doctor blade is applied to clean away any excess ink.
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3
Continue the process as the inked silicon pad is pressed into the metal plate carrying the design, inking the stamp.
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4
Move the levers which adjust the stamp over the metal substrate. Some must be measured and hand centered while others will only allow stamping in one position.
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5
Push down on the handle to stamp the ink.
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6
Open the press and remove the substrate. Allow to dry for several minutes before touching the inked area.
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