Transfer pad printing systems, plates and methods

A transfer pad printing system comprising:

• a transfer pad;
• a pad printing plate having a metal plate with opposite top and bottom surfaces, the metal plate having a Rockwell C scale hardness not less than approximately 55 and a thickness between approximately 0.015 inches and approximately 0.020 inches,
• the top surface of the metal plate having a flatness variation between approximately 0.001 inches and approximately 0.010 inches, the top surface of the metal plate having a smoothness variation between approximately 2 rms microinches and approximately 6 rms microinches;
• the pad printing plate having a base plate with a mounting surface, the bottom surface of the metal plate disposed on the mounting surface of the base plate;
• a sealed ink cup having an open end with a substantially annular scraper blade disposed thereon, the scraper blade disposed on the top surface of the metal plate.

A method for making a transfer pad printing plate, comprising:

• etching an image on an upper surface of a metal plate having a Rockwell C scale hardness not less than approximately 55 and a thickness between approximately 0.015 inches and approximately 0.020 inches;
• mounting a lower surface of the metal plate on a mounting surface of a base plate,
• the upper and lower surfaces of the metal plate having a smoothness variation between approximately 2 rms microinches and approximately 6 rms microinches,
• the upper and lower surfaces of the metal plate having a flatness variation between approximately 0.001 inches and approximately 0.010 inches.