Abstract: An ink supply system is used with a printer of the type in which ink is deposited in an engraved receiving region on a cliché plate and is scraped from the plate leaving ink in the receiving region. The ink supply system includes an ink cup having a hollow interior defining an ink reservoir and defining an outer edge. The outer edge has a doctor blade formed thereon for engaging and scraping the plate. The ink cup has an inlet and an outlet. A pump has a suction side and a discharge side with the suction side in flow communication with the cup outlet for drawing ink from the cup. A viscosity controller is in flow communication with the pump discharge and receives ink from the pump. A flow conduit extends between the viscosity controller and the ink cup for providing a flow of ink from the viscosity controller to the ink cup.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pad printing images around cylindrical items. The apparatus includes a gravure plate, image, a flexible ink transfer pad for receiving an ink image from the gravure plate and transferring the image onto a flat silicon ink transfer plate, and a flat silicon pressure plate for engaging a cylindrical item positioned on the ink transfer plate and rolling the cylindrical item across the ink transfer plate for applying the image about the outer periphery of the cylindrical item in a continuous one step operation.