An applicator for transferring an indicia to a substrate includes an ink layer forming the indicia. A white layer is disposed on the ink layer. An adhesive layer is disposed on the white layer. The adhesive layer is configured to adhere the ink layer and the white layer to the substrate.

A method for mounting one or more printing plate segments on a carrier sheet. The method comprises importing a file into a computer associated with a mounting unit. For each printing plate segment, the file includes a printing plate segment identifier, information regarding alignment of registration marks relative to the carrier sheet; and image data corresponding to a characteristic pattern associated with each printing plate segment. A composite image depicting the image data corresponding to the characteristic patterns is then displayed on a display in the predetermined arrangement of one or more printing plate segment locations and orientations. A mounting unit and a printing system and computer readable media programmed with instructions for performing the method are also described.

A sheet-fed printing press includes a printing cylinder and a high-precision sensor system for monitoring a sheet run in the area of the printing cylinder. At least one gage, which is mounted on the printing cylinder, can be detected by the sensor system. It is particularly advantageous if the sensor system is configured to be self-calibrating. A method for calibrating a sensor system and a method for aligning a sensor system are also provided.

A method for attaching a printing plate (12), especially a flexographic printing plate, to a printing cylinder (14) is described. In a first step, the printing plate (12) is provided in a substantially flat condition. Thereafter, an outer circumference of the printing cylinder (14) is arranged adjacent to an edge of the printing plate (12). Subsequently, the printing cylinder (14) is translatorily moved over the printing plate (12) while rotating such that the printing plate (12) is rolled-up on the printing cylinder (14). Additionally, an apparatus (10) for attaching a printing plate (12) to a printing cylinder (14) is presented. The apparatus (10) comprises a printing plate support unit (16) having a substantially flat support surface (18) for supporting the printing plate (12) to be mounted on the printing cylinder (14), and a printing cylinder support unit (36) for supporting and moving the printing cylinder (14). The printing cylinder support unit (36) comprises a translatory drive means (42) for translatorily moving the printing cylinder (14) in a direction parallel to the support surface (18).

A printing plate (10) having at least one optical marker (12, 14) for detecting a position of the printing plate (10) is described. The optical marker (12, 14) comprises an optically detectable structure (18) being positioned within a periphery (20) of the marker (12, 14). Furthermore, a method for detecting a position of a printing plate (10) is presented. Additionally, a control unit (38) for a system (36) for detecting a position of a printing plate (10) and a system (36) for detecting a position of a printing plate (10) are explained. Moreover, a computer program comprising computer readable program code means for causing steps of the method is defined.

A container printing apparatus has two or more inker devices. Each inker device has a print cylinder attached to a first end of a print shaft. Each print shaft has an outer shaft disposed about an inner shaft. The print shaft is configured to impart rotation to the print cylinder. Each inker device also has a first servomotor located at the second end of the print shaft distal from the first end of the print shaft and operably joined thereto. The first servomotor adjustably controls the position or orientation of a respective print cylinder. An automatic print correction detects a misregistration of ink transferred from one or more of the print cylinders onto a print blanket and a controller for controlling the first servomotor to correct the misregistration in response to data received from the print inspection device.

A container printing apparatus has two or more inker devices. Each inker device has a print cylinder attached to a first end of a print shaft. Each print shaft has an outer shaft disposed about an inner shaft. The print shaft is configured to impart rotation to the print cylinder. Each inker device also has a first servomotor located at the second end of the print shaft distal from the first end of the print shaft and operably joined thereto. The first servomotor adjustably controls the position or orientation of a respective print cylinder. An automatic print correction detects a misregistration of ink transferred from one or more of the print cylinders onto a print blanket and a controller for controlling the first servomotor to correct the misregistration in response to data received from the print inspection device.

A cylinder is arranged to receive one or more hollow cylinders on an outer surface of the cylinder. The cylinder has at least one movable stop with at least one movable element. In an idle position the at least one movable element does not protrude beyond the outer surface of the cylinder and allows hollow cylinders to be slid over the cylinder, and in an active position it protrudes beyond the outer surface of the cylinder and acts as a mechanical stop for hollow cylinders. The at least one movable element can be moved from the idle position to the active position, and vice versa, by means of a rotary movement. A method for positioning a hollow cylinder on a cylinder of this kind.

A method correctly mounts printing plates in a printing press. The method uses prepress software, a transport device, an identification device disposed on the transport device or on a printing plate, and a scanning device. The prepress software defines a sequence of print jobs to be processed by the printing press and sends data for making the printing plates for the print jobs defined in the processing sequence to a platesetter. The platesetter produces the corresponding printing plates. The produced printing plates are deposited on the transport device, the transport device is conveyed to the printing press, and the identification device of the transport device or of a printing plate is scanned by a scanning device at the printing press and the print jobs that have been identified in this way are compared to the print jobs which the prepress software has assigned to the printing press.

An applicator for transferring an indicia to a substrate includes an ink layer forming the indicia. A white layer is disposed on the ink layer. An adhesive layer is disposed on the white layer. The adhesive layer is configured to adhere the ink layer and the white layer to the substrate.