Thermal transfer printing of cans - uses controlled colour density in overlapping region of image

摘要

The colour pattern for printing onto the can is applied to a transfer medium which is then wound around the can. A set amount of overlap is produced and this region has the colour densities reduced by up to 10 percent for light colours and up to 25 percent for darker colours. After heat treatment the colour pattern is transferred to the can, with a reduced transfer from the overlap region, giving a near normal effect when the contributions from both sections of the overlap are added. The heat transfer is by heating the can. The overlap region is pressed onto the can by a flexible pressure strip. The system is suitable for high throughput rates. ADVANTAGE - Continuous pattern, no separating strip.