Method and device for exactly aligning a printing image relative to a geometrically correct print position of a printing machine

Abstract

A method and a device exactly aligning a printing image relative to a geometrically correct print position of a printing machine for printing carriers, for example CDs, which employ use of a printing foil having a hole system which has been aligned relative to the image center and being secured to a printing screen having locating bores which have been aligned relative to the image center and which correspond to locating pins of the printing machine which have been aligned relative to the carrier center. In accordance with the method, (a) the printing foil is provided with at least two registration marks which have been aligned relative to the image center and is secured to the printing screen in a substantially centered relationship, (b) the printing screen is movably secured to an optical centering device comprising master pins which are positionally identical to the locating pins of the printing machine, (c) the registration marks of the printing foil are brought in register with positionally identical registration marks of the optical centering device, (d) centering elements are slid onto the master pins with an accurate fit, and (e) the master pins provided with the centering elements are made to engage the radially enlarged locating bores of the printing screen with clearance and are secured in their centered positions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.