Cylindrical Screen Printing Machine: Ultimate Guide
Cylindrical screen printing machines are also known as bottle screen printing machines. These machines are a staple for many industries and businesses, including glass and plastic container wholesalers and packaging supply businesses. Different priorities show up depending on your niche, hence the reason for this guide.
We’re here to tell you everything about cylindrical screen printing machines and how you can get started. If you keep getting stranded on cylindrical screen printing machines, select one of our premium choices.
What is Cylindrical Screen Printing?
This type of printing attaches prints to glass or plastic bottles or containers. Such a method often creates prints that are both appealing and durable. Cylindrical screen printing machines are as versatile as printing on other circular, oval, square, and specially shaped surfaces. As such, these machines are widely used in the food, beverage, water bottles, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and chemical container businesses.
Bottle printing encompasses different techniques as listed below:
- Shrink-sleeve labeling
- Offset printing
- Hot stamping
- Decals
- Pressure-sensitive labeling
- Spray coating and frosting
- Silk screen printing
Screen printing is the most popular method for its convenience and ease of use. The screen used in the printing process is also easy to make. Hence, it is a wise choice for folks who love to do it professionally and create new ideas.
Main Types of Screen Printing Ink
Screen printing ink is a type of special fluid that screen printing machines use to print bottles or containers. This particular type of ink is generally more durable than other types. However, the print type and quality vary with the ink you use. Here are the most popular types.
- Plastisol-based screen printing ink: These are among the most popular and oldest inks. As such, they are commonly used in clothes, especially in the promotional industry. Plastisol-based inks are easy to operate and work perfectly only under a specific temperature. After the ink is heated to the required temperature, the resin carrier takes in the plasticizer, giving out a continuous plastic film. Hence, this makes the printing process easy and free from errors.
- Water-based screen printing ink:While this is still a trendy choice, you could take it out for the wrong reasons. The binder in such inks can be a blend of polyurethane and acrylic. This is unlike previously when it was either latex or acrylic. To cure, water-based inks must go through two steps: (1) All the water (carrier) has to evaporate. (2) The binder adheres to the substrate permanently
- Discharge / hybrid screen printing ink:This brings together the benefits of both water-based and plastisol-based screen printing inks. So, you have an easy-to-use ink free from phthalates and PVC. While it combines the best of both ink types, it requires high-level expertise.
How a cylindrical screen printing machine operates
A cylindrical screen printing machine is thoughtfully designed, with every component coordinating to achieve the desired result. The printing process undergoes three steps, as discussed below.
- Ink selection:The cylindrical screen printing machine type will inform you of the ink you select. Likewise, the kind of bottle you intend to print will influence this choice. Hence, you’ll have to choose between UV ink, high-temperature ink, and water-based ink, among others. UV ink will work best if you remove a fully automatic cylindrical screen printing machine. On the other hand, solvent-based inks go best with semi-automatic screen printing machines.
- Surface treatment:This involves flame or plasma treatment of the surface right before the actual printing. As such, you have the leeway of PP, HDPE, LDPE, and PE bottles. The process facilitates better adhesion of ink.
- Post-printing ink drying: The methods of drying printing inks vary with the types of ink you choose. It is a critical step that informs the quality of the end product. Hence, high-temperature inks will only cure at high temperatures, so an oven is needed. Likewise, UV inks require UV drying and the like.
Semi-automatic Vs. Fully Automatic Cylindrical Screen Printing Machine
- Fully automatic screen printing machine:This high-speed, mechanical-driven bottle printer is designed for large-scale printing. The machine is computerized to have a touch screen and Omron PLC. This means you can control the printing process from the screen to produce single- or multi-colored prints. You also have a high-speed motor and an advanced speed variator to make the process convenient.
- Semi-automatic screen printing machine:Adopts quick tooling changeovers with the front control panel, serving convenience at its best. The machine prints multi-colored round surfaces. It also adopts such premium features as optical and motor sensor registration systems. Hence, it serves versatility when the user is faced with different project demands.
Conclusion
So far, we hope you have a clearer idea of what cylindrical screen printing machines are. Such machines are an excellent investment for industrial purposes for their asking price and overall maintenance cost. Besides, they come in handy for people with endless DIY ideas.
