Patent ID: 9555616
Date: 2017-01-31
CPC Classifications: B41F,B41M,B41N,B41P

Claim:
1. A method of using a flexible transfer plate in a printing process to decorate an exterior surface of a metallic container, comprising: forming a first image on a predetermined portion of a face portion of the flexible transfer plate by removing at least some of the face portion in a laser engraving process, wherein the flexible transfer plate is comprised of a saturated chain of polymethylene; removably affixing the flexible transfer plate with the first image onto a blanket cylinder of a decorator; attaching a plurality of first printing plates to a first plate cylinder of the decorator; attaching a plurality of second printing plates to a second plate cylinder of the decorator, the second printing plates including relief areas that align with the first image of the flexible transfer plate; applying a first ink from a first inker to at least one of the plurality of first printing plates; transferring at least some of the first ink from the at least one of the plurality of first printing plates to at least a portion of the flexible transfer plate; and transferring the first ink from the flexible transfer plate to the exterior surface of the metallic container, wherein the metallic container is decorated.