Frequently Asked Questions

Ans: Cliché plates for pad printing come in various types, including steel, photopolymer, and laser engravable options. Traditional steel plates offer durability, while photopolymer plates provide versatility. Aluminum cliché plates are used in pad printing and are favored for certain applications due to their blend of durability and cost-effectiveness. Modern laser- engraved steel clichés offer superior precision and durability. Spinks world offers a comprehensive range of these plates to cater to diverse printing requirements. Know more

Ans: The selection of cliché plate material for pad printing is determined by several factors, including Print Volume, Print Quality, Ink Type, Substrate, Machine Compatibility, Cost, Production Speed, Reusability and several others .Know more from us .

Ans: Yes, cliches are used in pad printing machines which can print on any surface of any shape, size and contour.

Ans: When it comes to the longevity and the number of impressions, steel cliché plates are generally considered superior to photopolymer cliché plates. Steel cliché plates can withstand a larger number of cycles and are more durable due to the hardness of the material. They are suitable for long runs due to their robustness and ability to maintain high-quality images over an extended period.

Photopolymer cliché plates, while more cost-effective and easier to make, typically have a shorter lifespan and are best suited for shorter print runs. They tend to wear out faster than steel plates, leading to a lower total impression count. For businesses prioritizing longevity and high-volume printing, steel cliché plates are usually the recommended choice.

Aluminum cliché plates are used in pad printing and are favored for certain applications due to their blend of durability and cost-effectiveness. The Al cliches striking a good balance between cost and longevity, are suitable for medium to long print runs and since Aluminum is lighter than steel, which makes handling and setup easier.

Ans: Laser-engraved plates stand out for their consistency, repeatability, and the sharpness of the images they produce, making them the go-to choice for high-quality printing demands.

Ans: To submit designs for custom cliché plate manufacturing, customers typically need to follow a process that ensures their artwork is precisely translated into high-quality cliché plates. Talk to our experts.

Ans: For maintaining and storing cliché plates to ensure their longevity and preserve their integrity and performance, follow these best practices:
Cleaning:
  • Clean the plates after each use with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove ink residues.
  • Use a mild cleaning solution appropriate for the plate material; avoid abrasive cleaners.
  • Ensure that the plates are completely dry before storage to prevent oxidation or other damage.
Handling:
  • Handle cliché plates with care to avoid scratching the printing surface. Use gloves if necessary.
  • Hold the plates by the edges to minimize contact with the engraved surface.
  • Avoid bending or dropping the plates, as this could cause irreparable damage.
Storage:
  • Store cliché plates in a dry, cool, and dust-free environment to prevent corrosion or mold growth.
  • Keep plates flat and do not stack heavy items on top of them to prevent warping or denting.
  • Use protective sleeves or cases for individual plates to protect them from scratches and dust.

Ans: Drop us a mail at info@spinksworld.com We are waiting to discuss your project with us.

Ans: The typical lifespan of a cliché plate depends on the material it is made from. Photopolymer plates can generally yield tens of thousands of impressions, while high-quality steel plates can go up to a million impressions or more under optimal conditions. The longevity of cliché plates also depends on factors such as the type of ink used, the pressure applied during printing, and the level of maintenance.

Ans: The overall quality of pad printing is determined by many factors like, the choice of machine, choice of colors, choice of printing pads and finally choice of cliché plates. The cliché plates chosen for a project will depend upon the precision, finesse and number of impression required from a pad printing plate.

Ans: Photopolymer and laser etched plate-making are two distinct processes used for creating pad printing plates, each with its own steps, timeframes, and characteristics. The choice between the two methods depends on the specific needs of the print job, such as the required detail of the image, the printing volume, and the cost-effectiveness of plate production. Laser plate-making is more precise and creates plates that last longer but can be more expensive. Photopolymer plates are cost-effective and sufficient for many applications but do not have the same durability or longevity.

Ans: Cliché plates can indeed be reused, with the number of times depending on the material of the plate and the conditions of use. Photopolymer Plates: can typically be reused for several thousand impressions before they begin to show wear. Higher-end steel plates can last for several hundred thousand to over a million impressions.

Ans: Talk to our experts. Send a mail to info@spinksworld.com

Ans: In pad printing, the cliché plate plays a crucial role in the ink transfer process. It serves as the medium that holds the image to be printed in the form of etched or engraved cavities.

Ans: The compatibility of ink with cliché plates depends on the material of the plate and the application for which it’s being used. Photopolymer plates are often used with solvent-based or UV-curable inks. Due to their durability, steel plates can be used with a wider range of inks, including solvent-based, UV- curable, and even more aggressive inks that might etch or degrade less durable materials.

Ans: By understanding factors like material, size and thickness, complexity of design, lifespan and durability, reusability and quality, an informed decision can be, made while purchasing cliché plates.

Ans: Spinks world is the right place for all kind of roller, cylindrical clichés offering a curated collection of cliché rollers tailored for precise and detailed rotary pad printing needs on closuresand bottle caps, automotive goods, medical devices like syringes, casings, connectors, cables, cosmetic bottles and many more.
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