Pad printing equipment - "open ink well" or "sealed ink cup"

PEP

I've got another pad printing question. I keep seeing the terms "open ink well" and "sealed ink cup" for pad printing equipment. It seems machines with a "sealed ink cup" are more expensive. Is there some benefit to having a sealed ink cup and thus the increase in price? I sure hope robby is around to answer

Thanks!

robby

I'm here hehe...

Well, a pad printer with a sealed ink cup system is the way to go. The problem with an "open" ink well printer is that air makes contact with the ink because it is exposed to the environment. Prolonged exposure to air due to long printing sessions leads to problems because the consistency of the ink changes etc.

PEP

Thanks again robby. I am now browsing sites that sell pad printers with the sealed ink cup system.

Dov Meyers

Hi PEP another factor you should bare in mind is the run lengths of your print jobs, as well as the size of the print.
The closed cup systems are great for long print runs of lets say 1000 - 5000 items per job but more towards the higher figure, as the closed cup system reduces the evaporation of solvents in the ink thus keeping the viscosity constant, especially usefull when running a job for a number of hours.
Open well systems also have there place especially for short print runs of lower than 1000 units as you will generally adjust the ink viscosity about twice an hour, as long as you keep the system running and at a print speed of about 500 - 800 units per hour.

Another issue as menioned above is the print size, as with a closed cup you are usually limited to a print size 20% smaller than the cup diameter. With open well you can print a larger image usually 3/4 inch smaller than the outer edge of the plate, also you will naturally save on cost of plate.
Another thing look after the ring on the closed cup as it is quite expensive to replace.