Pad Printing Software & Ink

I need to find the manual or the templates to make imprinted products with the Press-A-Print. I am a PhotoShop expert so flat items seem easy. But how do you make art for round items such as a pen. Is there any distortion needed to compensate for the round shape? Or does the pad's arc compensate for this. Anyway, I need either software or templates. Can one of you help.

And inks ... what do most people use and where do you get it.

Thanks Eric

Location: 
United States

Basic pad print area for a pen is about 1/4 of the diameter. Just lay it out flat and you should be ok unless you press too hard. Use a good pad with a big enough area so you get no smiley or frowny faces. About an inch bigger than the image. Press-a-print makes a pretty good manual printer, got one that I use for coffee mugs. Try All American pad printing in PA for inks, thinner, etc. They can get pads for you when you need them. Pads do get old so check to see if they are real squishy before you try to print. All American can guide you along. As for software, I use Corel or Illy and make positives. Get plates from All American you will need exposure unit with output in the 360 nanowebber range. Email if you have questions. jim@jamesbroomegraphics.com

ericstshirts wrote:
I need to find the manual or the templates to make imprinted products with the Press-A-Print. I am a PhotoShop expert so flat items seem easy. But how do you make art for round items such as a pen. Is there any distortion needed to compensate for the round shape? Or does the pad's arc compensate for this. Anyway, I need either software or templates. Can one of you help.

And inks ... what do most people use and where do you get it.

Thanks Eric