Print image positioning

A method for providing a plate that is mountable on a cylindrical surface of an image recording apparatus with at least one notch or hole that cooperates with a corresponding protruding member on the cylindrical surface so as to correctly orient the plate with respect to a recorded image, the cylindrical surface having an axis of rotation, the plate having a reference edge or a reference line defined thereon, correct orientation of the plate being defined at least in part by alignment of said reference edge or reference line inclined at a predetermined non-zero angle γ relative to the axis of rotation, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a punch, including a first punching die that is shaped, positionable and operative to punch a notch of any given depth in the reference edge of the plate or to punch a hole at any given distance from the reference line;
• (b) determining the depth of said notch, or the distance of said hole from the reference line, that corresponds to the desired orientation of the plate on the cylindrical surface with said reference edge or reference line inclined at said predetermined non-zero angle γ relative to the axis of rotation;
• (c) positioning the plate at a fixed position and orientation with respect to said punch;
• (d) positioning said first die normally to the reference edge, or to the reference line, according to the result of step ‘b’ and thereupon causing said die to punch the plate.