A multi-purpose heat foil embossing machine and a heat foil adapter are disclosed herein. According to an embodiment, the heat foil adapter includes an injection molded body, a metal heat plate configured in the cavity of the molded body, a heating element, a temperature control system configured to maintain metal heat plate temperature, and a polycarbonate lid. According to another embodiment, the multi-purpose heat foil embossing machine is of platform and roller type construction wherein platform provides a flatbed working area and roller is moved over it that eliminates need to sandwich folder between plastic mats and push the mat between the rollers. According to another embodiment, the heat plate adapter is configured within a cavity on the platform of the embossing machine with electric connectivity.

A secondary moving tag platen device is disclosed as it may be implemented for a shirt printing platen. An example of the secondary moving tag platen device includes a tag platen or tag surface and a handle. The handle is rotated between an open position and a closed position. An indexing mechanism rotates the tag platen in conjunction with rotation of the handle. The tag platen moves to a shirt loading/unloading position when the handle is moved to the open position, and the tag platen moves to a tag printing position when the handle is moved to the closed position.

A secondary moving tag platen device is disclosed as it may be implemented for a shirt printing platen. An example of the secondary moving tag platen device includes a tag platen or tag surface and a handle. The handle is rotated between an open position and a closed position. An indexing mechanism rotates the tag platen in conjunction with rotation of the handle. The tag platen moves to a shirt loading/unloading position when the handle is moved to the open position, and the tag platen moves to a tag printing position when the handle is moved to the closed position.

A platen includes a platen plate, a platen support base, and a press surface. The platen plate includes a placement surface facing upward. A print medium is placed on the placement surface. The platen support base is disposed lower than the platen plate and includes a support pillar supporting the platen plate from below. The press surface is provided higher than a lowermost surface of the platen support base. The press surface faces downward and is configured for a press head to come into contact with the press surface when the press head performs pressing operation in a set state in which the platen is set on the press head.

A platen includes a platen plate, a platen support base, and a press surface. The platen plate includes a placement surface facing upward. A print medium is placed on the placement surface. The platen support base is disposed lower than the platen plate and includes a support pillar supporting the platen plate from below. The press surface is provided higher than a lowermost surface of the platen support base. The press surface faces downward and is configured for a press head to come into contact with the press surface when the press head performs pressing operation in a set state in which the platen is set on the press head.

A printing apparatus includes, an outer jig comprising an outer wall portion and a recessed portion, an inner jig disposed in the recessed portion and forming a hole between the outer wall portion and the inner jig, and a print head comprising a pad portion configured to overlap the hole, wherein the outer jig comprises an outer coupling portion disposed adjacent to a first surface of the outer jig facing the inner jig, the inner jig comprises an inner coupling portion disposed adjacent to a second surface of the inner jig facing the outer jig, and the outer jig and the inner jig are detachable from each other by detachment of the outer coupling portion and the inner coupling portion from each other.

A printing apparatus includes, an outer jig comprising an outer wall portion and a recessed portion, an inner jig disposed in the recessed portion and forming a hole between the outer wall portion and the inner jig, and a print head comprising a pad portion configured to overlap the hole, wherein the outer jig comprises an outer coupling portion disposed adjacent to a first surface of the outer jig facing the inner jig, the inner jig comprises an inner coupling portion disposed adjacent to a second surface of the inner jig facing the outer jig, and the outer jig and the inner jig are detachable from each other by detachment of the outer coupling portion and the inner coupling portion from each other.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a component of a flexographic printing system. The component includes an electromagnetic energy source operable to electronically couple to a controller. The electromagnetic energy source is further operable to apply a pre-hardening process to a non-print region of a raw flexible plate. The pre-hardening process results in a pre-hardened region of the non-print region of the raw flexible plate. The pre-hardened region of the non-print region of the raw flexible plate counters a clamping force applied to the non-print region of the raw flexible plate.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a component of a flexographic printing system. The component includes an electromagnetic energy source operable to electronically couple to a controller. The electromagnetic energy source is further operable to apply a pre-hardening process to a non-print region of a raw flexible plate. The pre-hardening process results in a pre-hardened region of the non-print region of the raw flexible plate. The pre-hardened region of the non-print region of the raw flexible plate counters a clamping force applied to the non-print region of the raw flexible plate.

A heat press includes a screen printing head and a stamp unit. The stamp unit includes a frame, carriages, a support, and a platen or ironer. A horizontal position of the platen relative to the screen printing head can be adjusted by unlocking carriages from guide rails and sliding the carriages while the frame remains attached to the screen printing head. Also, the platen is coupled to the support so that a horizontal position of the platen relative to the support is fixed, and a vertical position of the platen relative to the support is floating. The heat press is suitable for applying a print on a substrate, such as a stack of fabric layers of different sizes.