Automatic label creator and method for can decorating

An automatic label creator for use in can decorating by a can decorator having at least a plurality of plate cylinders and a plurality of inking stations, each plate cylinder associated with an individual inking station, the can decorator being communicatively coupled to a control station including a control system structured to control operations of the can decorator communicatively coupled to the control station, the automatic label creator comprising:

• an input apparatus structured to receive an input including at least a label specification obtained from a vendor,
• a display structured to display real time information including at least the label specification;
• and
• an automatic label creator controller comprising a memory, the automatic label creator being structured to receive an input including at least the label specification, create a label, determine values for image registration based at least in part on the label specification and data associated with previously applied labels, and transmit at least the label and the values of image registration to the control station, wherein the control system causes at least the plurality of plate cylinders and the plurality of inking stations to be adjusted based at least in part on the label and the values of image registration, and wherein, upon being adjusted, the plurality of plate cylinders and the plurality of inking stations print the label on undecorated cans based at least in part on the label and the values.

A method for automatically creating a label, comprising,

• receiving, by an automatic label creator, an input including at least a label specification;
• creating a label by the automatic label creator;
• determining, by the automatic label creator, values for image registration based at least in part on the label specification and data associated with previously applied labels;
• transmitting, by the automatic label creator, at least the label and the values for image registration to a control station communicatively coupled to a can decorator, the control station including a control system structured to control operations of the can decorator, the can decorator comprising at least a plurality of plate cylinders and a plurality of inking stations;
• causing, by the control system, at least the plurality of plate cylinders and the plurality of inking stations to be adjusted based at least in part on the label and the values for image registration;
• and
• printing, by the plurality of plate cylinders and the plurality of inking stations, the label on undecorated cans based at least in part on the label and the values.