Patent ID: 7252037

Claim:
A method for ensuring image consistency of an image printed onto a plurality of substantially identical objects printed at different times and/or locations comprising: (A) receiving a plurality of inks which have been adapted for printing said image onto said objects; and (B) receiving a product-printing facilitating kit which comprises a film-positive standard having a black image in a plurality of different tones thereon, a digital file encoding said film-positive standard, a plurality of test-print standards each of said test-print standards having one of said inks printed thereon in a plurality of different tones, and a list of suggested parameters for producing a test film positive and a plurality of test-printed objects; (C) carrying out printing steps 1 and 2, in either order, followed by step 3, wherein step 1 comprises the following sub-steps: (i) using said film-positive standard to make up a screen-printing screen bearing a stencil corresponding to said film-positive standard, (ii) printing from said screen-printing screen using one of said inks to produce a test-printed object, (iii) comparing said test-printed object to the corresponding said test-print standard, (iv) if necessary, running diagnostic tests and adjusting one or more printing parameters, (v) repeating sub-steps (ii) to (iv) until said test-printed object is substantially identical to said test-print standard, (vi) optionally repeating sub-steps (i) to (v) for each of said inks; step 2 comprises the following sub-steps: (i) producing said test film positive from said digital file encoding said test film positive, (ii) comparing said test film positive to said supplied film-positive standard, (iii) if necessary, running diagnostic tests and adjusting one or more printing parameters (iv) repeating sub-steps (i) to (iii) until said test film positive is substantially identical to said film-positive standard; and step 3 comprises the following sub-steps: (i) obtaining a digital file encoding said image which is to be printed, (ii) producing a plurality of film positives corresponding to each of said inks using said parameters obtained from step 2, (iii) using said film positives to make up a plurality of screen-printing screens each bearing a stencil corresponding to said film positives, (iv) printing said image onto said plurality of substantially identical objects using said screen-printing screens, said printing parameters obtained from step 1 and said inks.