Steel Pad Printing Plates
0.25mm Thin steel printing plates
These thin steel plates have a precision ground surface, etched on one side only and can only
be used on ink cup machines. They can be supplied punched or un- punched to suit various types
of machines. Expected life of the plates is around 60,000 impressions.
0.5mm Thin steel printing plates
These thin steel plates have a polished surface, can be etched both sides and are suitable for
open ink tray and sealed ink cup machines. The plates can be supplied punched or un-punched
to suit most types of machines. As the plates contain a percentage of chrome, they can be used
for medium to long production runs as the life expectancy of the plate is around 150,000 impressions
1mm Thin steel printing plates
These thin steel plates have a lapped surface, can be etched both sides and are suitable for open
ink tray machines. They can also be used with heated ink trays as required in the ceramic and
glass industries where thermal inks are applied. These are long lasting plates having a life
expectancy of around a million impressions.
10mm Thick steel printing plates
These thick steel plates are lapped on one side only and can therefore only be etched on one side.
They are suitable for open ink tray machines but can be used on certain ink cup machines. These
plates are hardened to 62 Hrc and have a life of around one million impressions.
10mm DS Thick steel printing plates
These thick steel plates are lapped both sides, contain a percentage of chrome (so are corrosion
resistant) and hardened to 63 Hrc which results in an extremely long life plate of around 2 million
impressions. Suitable for both open ink tray and ink cup machines. These plates will produce the
finest print quality.
Etched steel plates and Pre press and service
Our Art Department is equipped to process all your pre-press needs for pad printing. From the artwork
proof to etched plate for pad printing. Getting your artwork correct is a key factor to ensure your project
can be manufactured within your timeframe. If you require low resolution artwork redrawn into the
correct formatt for pad printing, we also offer this service at an additional fee.
Contact: artworks@astor.com.au