ITW Trans Tech: Troubleshooting Guide: Blotting effect on image

Transfer Pad Printing
Troubleshooting Guide
PROBLEM:
Blotting effect on image.

	Cause	Solution
Blotting effect	Angle of descent is incorrect.	Angle must not match angle of the part to be printed. Try a pad with an angle that is slightly different from the angle of the surface of the part. See explanation below.

NOT RECOMMENDED:
no angle of descent on concave print surface.

NOT RECOMMENDED:
no angle of descent on flat print surface or cliché.

PROBLEM: Blotting effect on image.

CAUSE: Angle of descent incorrect

The shape of the pad controls the “rolling effect” needed for a proper pickup and transfer of ink. The transfer pad is able to pull the image out of the etched area of the cliché due to the ink tack characteristics and the composition of the silicone. During pickup and transfer, this rolling effect pushes air away from the image.

Large angles of descent are better for:
• small images
• highly detailed images
• textured surfaces
• concave print surfaces.

Medium angles of descent are better for:
• bold images
• flat surfaces
• smooth surfaces
• convex print surfaces.

NOTE: When there is very little or no angle of descent, a blotting effect takes place which results in very poor print quality (see illustrations at right).

ITW Trans Tech Pad Catalog (requires Adobe™ Acrobat Reader®)

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