Pre-Registration Systems

Yes yes yes…The easy way out and the dreaded conversation a lot of shops ask other shops about.

Pre-registration definitely has applications in Manual printing as well as on an Auto Press.

The technology is getting better and all the big brands have you sorted no matter what press world you are in.

Some people even create their own versions of pre registration systems. If you are willing to go the extra mile and do so that’s great!

I was a disbeliever and have gone through a very frustrating route to end up loving this tool.

However I do have to touch on the expectations, reality as well as solutions to get your pre-registration system game going.

Expectations VS. Reality

What the big brands offer is a very rigid system that makes no mistakes in theory.

That is if you take out the human factor.

The decisions we make on art separations, screen handling as well as set up practices are very important ones. These work hand in hand together.

Do not expect a perfect setup the first time in use.

You will have issues and if you don’t on that first set up prepare for the future.

The main thing I am pointing out here is to take things slow and understand the tools you are working with.

Troubleshooting

The main things that affect pre registrations are these:

1) Screen Maintenance And Handling

Screen sizes must remain the same and tension cannot be wildly different.

1-2 Newtons difference is acceptable.

Also some types of screens tend to warp so this must be part of your maintenance routine.

Keep your screens void of tape or extensive dirt or ink build up near the edges and points of contact.

These things are blatant inconsistencies in tools and this requires attention and care.

2) Press Pressure

Some manual presses and auto presses use compressed air and must be at specific psi units

to hold the screens in registration while printing.

Look this up in the manual or ask about your presses from an expert.

3) Set Up Habits

The maintenance of your heads and registration gate locks et.c is a no brainer if you value your sanity.

• Do not mishandle your screens before setup.

• "Zero out" your micro registrations and keep your heads tightened.

• Using a pre registration platen properly (Do not apply too much pressure, make sure it is precisely touching the points it should and don’t use it to swing the carousel and locking screen in carefully).

• Lubricating your squeegee on an auto press before your first print is also good practice.
  

4) Separations/Artwork

This is a very important aspect if you have ruled out your screen maintenance, press pressure and set up habits.

The more room for error you allow in your artwork the easier these errors will not be seen on press. This involves assessing your strokes and chokes between screens and how they affect each set up.

If you are having trouble covering an underbase /underlay with a manual or an automatic micro registration on a "non pre-registration system" you most likely will have issues on one when you apply it.

If those margins of error are tight so to speak that will leave room for many inconsistencies during a setup.

Defining "Success"

In many instances shops have to work within their limitations (tools, people etc).

The success you have with your pre registration system should be based on it's overall value.

Even if you haven't had success don't stop using it and continue troubleshooting.

To establish its value it should be judged on these questions:

Did you get any screens working together?

Could you have registered those by eye faster?

If the pre registration was completely unsuccessful you definitely had to deal with registration...wouldn't that be the same amount of time as dealing with the registration from the beginning without the pre-registration system?

That's usually when printers reach the point of either using it or not and the only difference is if they are willing to go through the troubleshooting or not.

The fact is either way they do speed up the set up process if used correctly but come with some hefty rules that we have to live by as printers.

If you are willing to troubleshoot all the above and follow a specific set up process you will be rewarded tenfold.