Several Important Factors That Need To Be Controlled During The Transfer Printing Process

During the printing process of an automatic transfer printing machine, the depth of the steel plate, the size, shape, hardness of the adhesive head, as well as the characteristics of the ink, evaporation speed, surface characteristics of the substrate, such as material, smooth or rough surface, the size of the printing pattern area arc, and the control of the working environment (such as temperature, color, humidity, dust prevention, etc.). It is necessary to handle the changes in the relevant parameters mentioned above and make adjustments in order to achieve successful transfer printing results.
1、 Determine whether the depth of the steel plate is appropriate
1. Using a depth gauge, the depth of the conventional transfer printing steel plate is around 2.4 microns. Like small text, the line should be 2 microns long
2. The actual depth depends on the requirements of the pattern and ink layer. If the surface of the substrate is smooth or rough for the same type of image and text, the required depth of the steel plate has a printing effect.
For example, if there is oil return and the graphics and text are blurry, it is more likely that the steel plate is too deep;
If there are back bubbles (trachoma), it may be too shallow;
If the ink on the transfer printing adhesive head is too dry when it is not printed on the object, then the steel plate is too shallow;
If the ink on the adhesive head appears uneven (orange peel pattern), then the steel plate is too deep;
Due to the fact that the adhesive head can only pick up a small portion of the ink in the pattern area of the steel plate, excessive etching depth will not have any benefits. When the etching depth is 2.5 microns, the adhesive head can only adhere to a 1.2 micron ink film, while the rest remains on the steel plate. Due to the fact that the ink film contains at least 40% of the diluent, which completely evaporates during ink transfer and drying, the final ink layer remaining on the printed material is about 7 microns.
2、 Ink characteristics: The automatic transfer printing machine requires quick drying with oil and water to avoid the glue head not being able to transfer ink well. Screen printing requires slow drying to avoid screen blockage. This is also the difference between screen printing and pad printing diluents. However, under certain conditions (such as dry and high temperature), silk screen oil and water can be used for pad printing.
Single component ink results in better durability of the adhesive head. However, two-component inks are usually more corrosive and prone to foaming, which can lead to faster consumption of silicone oil in the adhesive head, thus shortening the service life of the adhesive head. When the adhesive head is not printed on the printed object and the ink on the adhesive head is dry, the diluent dries too quickly. After the printing is completed, the images and text on the printed object show fuzzing, wire drawing, and drying too quickly. If the return oil is blurry, it will dry too slowly. If it has become fragmented, it will have no adhesion. If it dries too quickly and cannot print, it will dry too quickly.
3、 The working environment of the transfer printing machine: room temperature (preferably 18-20 ° C). The humidity is (preferably 60% -70%). Dust prevention. Light white walls, floors, etc.