03. How to Choose Pad Printing Cliché Plate Sizes? What Do 4×4, 6×6, and 4×10 Mean?
Plate Dimensions vs. Actual Printable Area
• Core Rule: Cliché plate size numbers (4×4, 6×6, 4×10) denote the steel plate size in inches, NOT the final printed graphic size.
• Factory Sizing Baseline: Usable image area is roughly 30 mm smaller than plate dimensions due to ink cup rim clearance. 4×4 covers small logos (≤70×70 mm), 6×6 / 4×8 covers medium parts (≤120×120 mm), and 4×10 accommodates elongated components like pen barrels and scale graduations.
1. Shichuangli Machine Specifications by Plate Format
| Model Series | Cliché Dimensions | Max Usable Area | Typical Substrates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4×4 Desktop | 100 × 100 mm | ≤ 70 × 70 mm | Keycaps, badges, lab prototypes |
| 4×4 Floor-Standing | 100 × 100 mm | ≤ 70 × 70 mm | Continuous industrial production lines |
| 4×6 / 4×8 Series | 100 × 150 / 200 mm | ≤ 80 × 120 mm | Cosmetic jars, electrical enclosures |
| 4×10 Vertical | 100 × 250 mm | Max dia. Φ70 mm | Graduated syringes, pen barrels |
2. Recommended Equipment from Our Dongguan Factory
3. Desktop vs. Floor-Standing Considerations
Benchtop Units: Weighing around 35 kg, desktop units offer maximum agility for R&D proofing, prototype verification, and seasonal short-runs where equipment is frequently repositioned.
Floor-Standing Units: Engineered with a reinforced 57 kg cast chassis to absorb pneumatic cycling vibration during 3-shift industrial production, ensuring long-term positional repeatability down to ±0.05 mm.
When single-hit pad printing area is insufficient, flatbed screen printing is the standard industrial alternative. Our 3050 Flatbed Screen Printing Machine provides an expanded print envelope up to 200 × 400 mm with thick, high-opacity ink deposits.
4. Key Engineering FAQs
Q: Does the cliché plate size equal the maximum graphic area?
A: No. Sealed ink cup rims require outer border clearance. On a 100×100 mm (4×4) plate, the practical artwork limit is roughly 70×70 mm.
Q: Can I change plate sizes on the same machine?
A: Floor-standing 4×4 units support both 100×100 mm and 100×75 mm plates. However, switching across different machine series (e.g., from 4×4 to 4×10) requires a machine with matching horizontal stroke and ink cup carriage.