FAQs...

and answers for: the Printa 990 pad printing system

If you have reviewed the Printa 990 pad printing pages you will already know that these compact, easy to use machines are versatile and offer any business that sells promotional items a whole new range of opportunities! To review the Printa 990 specifications, please visit the product page or call us for more help. Below are some answers to the most commonly asked questions about the Printa 990 pad printing systems.

Click on a question below to reveal the answer:

How long does the ink take to dry?

When pad printing, it only takes a few seconds for the ink to dry to the touch. Many products require post treatment of heat after printing to cure effectively. Once heat cured, it can take several days for the product to fully cure.
Do all pad printed products need to be heat cured in a tunnel dryer?

The ink packaged with the 990 Series is 2-part epoxy ink that requires heat to cross link and bond with the product. Some products (such as ABS plastic) are solvent sensitive and will air dry and cure without heat, and there are single component inks available for some products as well. The 2 part epoxies are the most versatile and durable. We include two hardening systems. One is for plastics, acrylics, and painted surfaces, the other for glass, metal, and ceramics. Plastics require around 80 - 100 degrees celcius for 2-6 minutes; glass, metal, and ceramics need around 180 degrees celcius for 10 minutes.
Can I use my textile dryer for curing printed productsl?

Yes, many screen printers do. You can also use a heat gun for small runs.
Can I print with screen printing inks?

Some screenprinting ink can be pad printable using different solvents - check with the manufacturer. You cannot use textile inks like Plastisol as it will not dry and release from the transfer pad. The inks packaged with the 990 Series work using a different retarder for screen printing to keep the screen open.
What is a printing plate made from?

The printing plate is metal coated with a light sensitive water-soluble polymer.
How long does a polymer printing plate last?

The plates are generally fine for about 5000 prints, but this be more or less depending on how clean the environment and the products are.
Can a pad printing plate be reclaimed like a screenr?

No, unlike a screen, a plate cannot have a new image burned in it once it is exposed. If you have a small image, you can burn more than one image in a plate, being sure you have clearance with the pad to pick up one image at a time.
What are the transfer pads made from and can I make them?

They are made from silicon rubber and unless you have specialise equipment, you cannot make them yourself.
Howmay parts can I print per hour with the Printa 990 system?

Most people can pad print 250 - 300 parts an hour depending upon the product and the operator. This can increase depending on the work flow into and out of the machine is planned, the complexity of the tooling used to locate the product, and whether you are curing whilst printing.
How much ink does the Printa 990 system need to complete a production run?

For pad printing, you need 25 - 30 grams of ink to use the machine in the auto-inking mode. This will yield hundreds of prints. For cylindrical screen printing you need only 10 - 15 grams of ink

Screen Printing

Screen print onto t-shirts and other garments, mark industrial products or a print a variety of promotional items. Our extensive range of silk screen printing equipment offers some of the best systems available on the market with comprehensive warranties and support. Ideal whether you are just starting out or upgrading existing machinery. Our aim is simple – to make you successful!

Screen Printing Equipment

Pad Printing

Pad printing is one of the most versatile print solutions available allowing you to print onto virtually any shape of product. Our range of manual and semi-automatic pad printing machines are suitable for promotional printing and industrial marking. No matter how awkward your product, if it has to be printed we will find a way to help you make your mark!

Pad Printing Equipment

Hot Foil Printing

A versatile, totally dry printing solution that does not rely on ink. Suitable for a vast variety of imprinting requirements. From traditional hot foil printers to toner foiling and digital systems to print variable data, we offer a full range of equipment and one or more of these versatile machines is bound to fill a need in your business. With our hot foil printers, everything you touch really could turn into gold!

Exposure Unit Equipment

Dryers

If you are looking for top quality, compact, upgradeable tunnel dryers, look no further. We offer a wide range of drying equipment including a range of screen drying cabinets, ideal for producing exposure ready screens in double quick time. Our range of drying equipment really will take your business to new heights!

Drying Equipment

Garment Decoration

In addition to Screen Printing, garments can also be decorated using Heat Transfer Printing or Embossing. Transfer printing is ideal for short runs and even one-offs in full colour, while embossing is a process that creates a very unique finish on garments such as fleece wear and other products with at least 50% polyester content. If you want to edge ahead of the competition, read on and find out more about our garment printing systems.