A mandrel wherein a portion of the mandrel body outer surface is conical; i.e., flared outwardly, is provided. In this configuration, the necked can is drawn against the conical portion of the mandrel body outer surface while a generally cylindrical portion of the mandrel body extends into the can. Further, the space between the cylindrical portion of the mandrel body and the can is pressurized so as to resist deformations in the can during the decorating process. In an exemplary embodiment, the mandrel includes an elongated mandrel body with an outer surface, a proximal, first end, a proximal medial portion, a distal medial portion, and a distal, second end and having an axis of rotation. The mandrel body outer surface includes an elongated conical portion; the mandrel body outer surface conical portion is disposed adjacently about the mandrel body first end.

A mandrel wherein a portion of the mandrel body outer surface is conical; i.e., flared outwardly, is provided. In this configuration, the necked can is drawn against the conical portion of the mandrel body outer surface while a generally cylindrical portion of the mandrel body extends into the can. Further, the space between the cylindrical portion of the mandrel body and the can is pressurized so as to resist deformations in the can during the decorating process. In an exemplary embodiment, the mandrel includes an elongated mandrel body with an outer surface, a proximal, first end, a proximal medial portion, a distal medial portion, and a distal, second end and having an axis of rotation. The mandrel body outer surface includes an elongated conical portion; the mandrel body outer surface conical portion is disposed adjacently about the mandrel body first end.

An offset printing method is provided that, while using an ink with a viscosity that allows for printing of a print image on a printing plate by an ink-jet process, enables a precise print image to be transferred from the printing plate to a print medium by use of a printing blanket. The offset printing method includes a printing-plate making step of printing an inked image on a printing plate by an ink-jet process, an ink drying step of evaporating a solvent contained in the ink of the inked image to increase the viscosity of the ink, a transferring step of transferring the inked image to the surface of a printing blanket, and a printing step of pressing the printing blanket against a print medium.

An offset printing method is provided that, while using an ink with a viscosity that allows for printing of a print image on a printing plate by an ink-jet process, enables a precise print image to be transferred from the printing plate to a print medium by use of a printing blanket. The offset printing method includes a printing-plate making step of printing an inked image on a printing plate by an ink-jet process, an ink drying step of evaporating a solvent contained in the ink of the inked image to increase the viscosity of the ink, a transferring step of transferring the inked image to the surface of a printing blanket, and a printing step of pressing the printing blanket against a print medium.

A decorator assembly is provided. The decorator assembly includes a number of independent ink stations. Each independent ink station is disposed adjacent to the path of travel of the mandrels.

A decorator assembly is provided. The decorator assembly includes a number of independent ink stations. Each independent ink station is disposed adjacent to the path of travel of the mandrels.

A positioning system for positioning a plurality of rotatable objects for processing includes a base plate that is configured to be positioned on a support surface of a processing machine. The base plate defines a plurality of alignment members to align the base plate to the support surface. The positioning system further includes at least three elongate cylindrical members that are arranged in parallel to one another and rotatably supported in alignment with the base plate. The cylindrical members are configured to support the rotatable objects. The positioning system also includes a rotation mechanism configured to cooperate with the cylindrical members and rotate the cylindrical members in synchrony so as to rotate the plurality of rotatable objects in synchrony. The positioning system further includes a rotational control mechanism configured to cooperate with the rotation mechanism to control rotation of the cylindrical members.

A positioning system for positioning a plurality of rotatable objects for processing includes a base plate that is configured to be positioned on a support surface of a processing machine. The base plate defines a plurality of alignment members to align the base plate to the support surface. The positioning system further includes at least three elongate cylindrical members that are arranged in parallel to one another and rotatably supported in alignment with the base plate. The cylindrical members are configured to support the rotatable objects. The positioning system also includes a rotation mechanism configured to cooperate with the cylindrical members and rotate the cylindrical members in synchrony so as to rotate the plurality of rotatable objects in synchrony. The positioning system further includes a rotational control mechanism configured to cooperate with the rotation mechanism to control rotation of the cylindrical members.

A printing apparatus includes: a printing pad having a surface that is deformable to a shape of a surface to be printed; a printing original plate having a surface on which ink is placed; a plate stage on which the printing original plate is placed; a printing stage on which an item to be printed is placed; and a head configured to print an image on the printing original plate by an ink jet system. The printing pad is configured to be moveable between an area above the plate stage and an area above the printing stage, and to move perpendicularly to and vertically from and to the plate stage or the printing stage. The head includes a plurality of storage portions to store each of a plurality of inks including intermediate color ink, and nozzles configured to discharge each of the plurality of inks toward the printing original plate.

A printing apparatus includes: a printing pad having a surface that is deformable to a shape of a surface to be printed; a printing original plate having a surface on which ink is placed; a plate stage on which the printing original plate is placed; a printing stage on which an item to be printed is placed; and a head configured to print an image on the printing original plate by an ink jet system. The printing pad is configured to be moveable between an area above the plate stage and an area above the printing stage, and to move perpendicularly to and vertically from and to the plate stage or the printing stage. The head includes a plurality of storage portions to store each of a plurality of inks including intermediate color ink, and nozzles configured to discharge each of the plurality of inks toward the printing original plate.