Abstract: A container is carried by a timing screw while a transfer drum is rotated. Ink is transferred by a first imprint roll on a first fixed transfer surface member for printing a shoulder portion of the container and a second fixed transfer surface member for printing a barrel portion of the container. Ink is transferred by a second imprint roll on a movable transfer surface member, and after printing on the shoulder portion, the barrel portion and a constricted portion of the container, which is inserted between a guide member and a transfer roll and moved while rotating, residual inks on the fixed transfer surface member for the shoulder portion, the fixed transfer surface member for the barrel portion, and the movable transfer surface member are removed by a cleaning roll.

Abstract: Clamping apparatus for disk-shaped information medium having a central hole, the disk-shaped information medium having a surface upon which information is to be printed, including a baseplate having holes; a slider guidably mounted on the baseplate for centering the disk-shaped information medium with the central hole; stationary holding elements arranged on the baseplate, and movable holding elements arranged on the slider, in such a way that when an information medium is placed in the clamping apparatus, a predetermined number of the stationary and movable holding elements are arranged along the outer periphery of the information medium, and the remainder of the stationary and movable holding elements are arranged along the inner periphery of the central hole of the information medium; a bottom plate positioned under the baseplate and movable perpendicular thereto; and information medium contact elements which are formed on the bottom plate and adapted to pass through holes in the baseplate and contact the

Abstract: A marking device for applying markings to the insulating sheathing of a wire comprising two color disks alternatingly moved between active and inactive positions by a common carrier to selectively apply markings to the wire.

Abstract: A pad printing apparatus is provided with a sealed ink cup for the printing of long images having a length greater than the diameter of the ink cup. The ink cup is caused to move lengthwise of the image and the movement of the image transfer pad is in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the image.

Abstract: A printing machine including a turntable causes object supports to pass at least one printing station. According to the invention, a guard is mounted mobile with respect to the printing station, and under the control of a control device driven by a control unit accessible to the operator, can move from a retracted position, in which it leaves the turntable readily accessible, to an extended position, in which it overlaps the turntable. Application, in particular, to printing machines with screen print heads.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing labels onto circular discs of predetermined diameter includes a linear printhead having a length equal to at least the diameter of the discs to be printed. A carrier has a planar surface with a circular recess into which a compact disc can be tightly inserted. The recess is of a depth substantially equal to the thickness of the disc to be printed, whereby the planar surface and a surface of an inserted disc form a substantially flat surface. The carrier is formed of a substrate and a member which defines the outer boundary of the recess. The substrate is at least partially formed of an elastic material having a compliance selected so as to provide a pressure on the printhead optimal for dye transfer. A second rigid member fits into a center hole in the inserted compact disc.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel shaded logos for use on golf balls, golf balls having said novel shaded logo designs printed on their surface and methods of adding shaded logos to golf balls.

Abstract: A machine tool system includes a machine tool and a marking apparatus. The marking apparatus can mark parts-data on workpiece parts at high speed, without occupying any tool mounting station and without having any limitation in the number, the sequence direction, the size and the type font of characters to be marked. A mount base (33) is fixedly attached to a frame (1) of the machine tool. A marking head (51) is mounted on the mount base (37) so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The marking head (51) is provided with a pneumatic stylus (77) movable horizontally both in the X- and Y-axis direction. A parts-data of dot matrix type can be engraved on the workpiece parts by moving the stylus (77) in the X- and Y-axis directions.

Abstract: The ends of a plurality of stacked lumber pieces are embossed with an apparatus that includes an embossing plate having a vertical, planar embossing surface with three-dimensional indicia thereon; a press plate spaced from the embossing plate, the press plate including a plurality of adjacent press plate segments, each having a lumber contact surface facing the embossing surface, each of the contact surfaces being movable between a retracted position and an extended position toward the embossing plate; a lumber support for supporting a plurality of stacked, parallel lumber pieces with first and second opposed ends between the plates with the first end of the lumber pieces being toward the embossing plate and the second end of the lumber pieces being toward the press plate; drive means attached to the press plate segments to independently move the plate segments between retracted and extended positions; and a controller operatively associated with the drive means to actuate the drive means in a predetermined s

Abstract: A field of windshield wiper cleaning elements (10) is arranged above each wiper's resting position on a windshield (16). It includes several horizontal rows of slightly raised round dots or squares (11-15, 21-25) applied to the exterior surface of the windshield. The cleaning elements graduate from a maximum size along the bottom edge of the field, to a minimum size along the top edge of the field. The wipers scrape across the cleaning elements whenever they are operated, so that they are cleaned automatically. Cleaning effectiveness is improved by the graduated sizes of the cleaning elements. They are made by applying a ceramic ink on the windshield and firing the windshield, so that they are extremely durable.

Abstract: A pellet marking device which includes a ramp-type carrier system for receiving pellet-shaped articles to be imprinted from a feed hopper of improved efficiency, and for conveying the received pellet-shaped articles to a printing device which is combined with the carrier system and which is appropriate for applying desired indicia to the particular product which is to be handled. This may include the more traditional contact-type printing systems which are useful in conjunction with the majority of pellet-shaped articles to be handled, as well as non-contacting ink-jet systems for applying indicia to pellet-shaped articles which do not lend themselves to contact-type printing procedures. An improved feed hopper is provided which not only contributes to the foregoing, but which also operates to significantly improve the efficiency of the system by ensuring that the pellet-receiving pockets of the pellet-conveying system are filled to the greatest extent possible while maintaining an effective production rate.

Abstract: A process for a production basis relief decorating of ceramic articles. In place of conventional, manual application of relief features, the process provides for a special technique for screen printing of relief features onto the surface of a transfer decal sheet, typically a decal sheet that has previously been printed with a conventional, two-dimensional primary design. The new process includes a screen printing stencil of unusual thickness, at least 0.015" and up to as much as 0.125", characterized by having unrestricted non-convergent through openings. Ceramic inks are formulated to heavy viscosity, having a characteristic comparable to peanut butter, with a viscosity in excess of one million cps. The ink is flow resistant in character, and is forced through the stencil openings by a slow-moving squeegee. The squeegee action is such as to provide increased dwell time of the ink with the surface of the transfer decal paper, before lifting of the stencil.

Abstract: A light-weight, portable golf ball marking device for golf balls is preferably shaped to resemble a golf ball balanced on a golf tee, and comprises a golf ball-shaped portion and a golf tee-shaped portion. The portions interconnect, and are both preferably manufactured from polypropylene. The ball-shaped portion comprises separate upper and lower halves, connected by a tether. The tee-shaped portion comprises separate front and back halves, which both define apertures for receiving a bolt and nut for securing the halves together. The bottom of the ball-portion insertably engages an opening defined by the tee-shaped portion to house the operational components of the golf ball marking device. The upper part of the tee-shaped portion defines a cavity that is continuous with this opening, and contains a tray-stem support member for an ink pad. The support member can be adjusted up or down, so as to accommodate ink pads having different thicknesses and maintain a constant height level.

Abstract: The clamping apparatus for imprinting disk-shaped information media consists of a base plate with a central centering aid for the information medium and a cover with an annular opening. The base plate is joined pivotably to the cover by means of a hinge. A closure mechanism is provided diametrically opposite the hinge, and elastic elements, on which the information medium rests and which when the cover is closed can be compressed by the information medium, are mounted on the base plate.

Abstract: A method for fusing a transferable image to a face of a digital disc and a lamination jacket. In the method, a transferable image is printed onto a transfer support. The transferable image is registered against the face of a digital disc to provide a transfer support-digital disc pair. The transferable image is roller laminated to the face of the digital disc. The transferable image and face of the digital disc are kept in registry during the roller laminating. The lamination jacket is for use in transporting a transfer support bearing a transferable image and a digital disc through the nip between a pair of compliant rollers to heat and pressure fuse the transferable image to the face of the digital disc. The lamination jacket has an insert. A shell is joined to the insert. The shell is exterior to the insert. The shell and insert define a pocket for closely receiving the digital disc. The lamination jacket has at least one guide for registering the digital disc and transfer support within the pocket.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus useful for making color filters for liquid crystal display panels. A multicolored ink pattern is deposited to a substrate while in a deformable state, flattened during the deposition process, and the deformed, more uniform shape of the printed dot is thereafter retained, preferably by curing during deposition. The transfer layer is preferably formed on a collector roll. A plurality of colored ink patterns is then transferred to the collector roll, preferably from a single pattern roll having multiple patterns thereon, to form the multicolor image that will become the color filter. This multicolored image is then transferred to the substrate.

Abstract: A method and a device exactly aligning a printing image relative to a geometrically correct print position of a printing machine for printing carriers, for example CDs, which employ use of a printing foil having a hole system which has been aligned relative to the image center and being secured to a printing screen having locating bores which have been aligned relative to the image center and which correspond to locating pins of the printing machine which have been aligned relative to the carrier center.

Abstract: A compact disc printing nest for retaining a compact disc along a transportation mechanism which moves the printing nest into a position such that one surface of the compact disc can be screen printed with artwork and/or designs. The compact disc printing nest includes a bottom plate capable of being rigidly secured to the transportation mechanism and a top plate having a receptacle provided in an upper surface thereof for accommodating the compact disc therein and thereby exposing a surface of the compact disc to be screen printed. A magnetic mounting assembly is provided for mounting the top plate with respect to the lower plate to provide for easy removal of the top plate for cleaning and replacement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making color filters for liquid crystal display panels. A transfer layer is formed on a collector roll, and a raised pattern corresponding to the desired black matrix pattern is formed on the transfer layer by embossing. A plurality of colored ink patterns is formed in the appropriate location within the boundaries formed by the raised pattern, thereby forming the multicolor image that will become the color filter. This multicolored image is then transferred to the substrate. Preferably, the inks are deposited into the black matrix pattern using typographic imaging pins which are smaller than the cells of the black matrix pattern.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for a cassette accommodating a recording medium such as a tape-shaped recording medium or the like or a cassette accommodating case includes a cylindrical member and a cylindrical pad. The cylindrical member is supplied with an ink which contains an inorganic filler having a comparatively large particle size. The ink is added with a titanate coupling agent or an aluminate coupling agent. The cylindrical member has the concave printing plate formed on its peripheral surface and is supported rotatably. The ink on the concave printing plate is transferred to the cylindrical pad. The cylindrical pad is supported rotatably. The cylindrical pad is brought in contact with the concave printing plate and the surface of the conveyed cassette accommodating the recording medium or the conveyed cassette accommodating case.

Abstract: Two opposed inkjet print heads direct ink droplets to opposite sides of a cylindrical elongated plastic straw containing biological products such as semen or ova. The print heads are controlled by a computer to print multiple lines of text or data as the straw is advanced by dual parallel drive belts through a bridge which has an straw-directing infeed channel. The straw is discharged from the channel through an unobstructed window in the bridge which is positioned in the path of the two print heads. Downstream of the window the straw passes over portions of the bridge which form a shelf with open sides, on which the straw is supported until it is engaged by the outfeed portions of the dual belts which remove the printed straw from the bridge. The construction of the bridge ensures accurate positioning of the straw, while minimizing disturbances to the freshly applied ink.

Abstract: A pellet marking device which includes a ramp-type carrier system for receiving pellet-shaped articles to be imprinted from a feed hopper of improved efficiency, and for conveying the received pellet-shaped articles to a printing device which is combined with the carrier system and which is appropriate for applying desired indicia to the particular product which is to be handled. This may include the more traditional contact-type printing systems which are useful in conjunction with the majority of pellet-shaped articles to be handled, as well as non-contacting ink-jet systems for applying indicia to pellet-shaped articles which do not lend themselves to contact-type printing procedures. An improved feed hopper is provided which not only contributes to the foregoing, but which also operates to significantly improve the efficiency of the system by ensuring that the pellet-receiving pockets of the pellet-conveying system are filled to the greatest extent possible while maintaining an effective production rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing on individual articles has at least two rotatably disposed holders, each of which carries an article. Each of the holders which can comprise first and second holder portions is provided with separate drives for transporting the respective holder and for producing rotational movement thereof so that an article carried by one of the holders can be moved and rotated independently of articles carried by other holders. When printing on articles whose region to be printed upon differs from the shape of a circle or a circular arc, it is also possible for the printing mechanism consisting of a screen printing stencil and a squeegee to be raised or lowered in the printing operation, in dependence on the cross-sectional shape of the region to be printed upon, so that there is no need to alter the position in respect of height of the article during a printing operation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for adding patterns to golf balls. The apparatus used in carrying out the method is a pad printing cliche which comprises a substantially planar substrate having deposited thereupon along at least a portion of its surface a coating of titanium carbon nitride. The coating may range between about 0.1 and 50 microns in thickness, preferably between about 0.25 and 20 microns, more preferably between about 0.5 and 12 microns and most preferably between about 0.5 and 5 microns. The method of the invention comprises providing a pad printing cliche with a coating of titanium carbon nitride, forming a pattern upon said coated surface adapted for transfer to an outer surface of a golf ball, said pattern comprising any combination of words, numbers, designs, etc.

Abstract: Electronic components are held in first holding portions distributed along a peripheral edge portion of a first rotor, which in turn is intermittently rotated to provide the electronic components with markings. Then, ink providing the markings is cured on a supply track extending from the first rotor toward a second rotor. The electronic components held by the second rotor are successively supplied into cavities of a receiving tape along intermittent rotation of the second rotor. An apparatus for providing the markings comprises a printing plate having printing surfaces, a platen for supporting the electronic components, and a back support, elastically displaceably holding the platen, which can approach to and separate from the printing surfaces.

Abstract: A fixture is provided for the holding of a compact disc on a transport member for transportation of the disc to one or more work stations such as a silk-screen printing station. The fixture has a top member in which is provided a circular-shaped opening detachably connected to a base member. The base member is secured to the transport member. When the base member and top member are in combination with one another, the circular-shaped opening provides a well for the compact disc. Magnets are located in the base member to detachably hold the top member in contact with the base member.

Abstract: A disappearing ink marking system adaptable to a sole of a user that includes an upper layer, an intermediate layer affixed to the upper layer, a lower layer affixed to the intermediate layer, a reservoir tube passing into the intermediate layer and in fluid communication therewith, disappearing ink, and at least one image block affixed to the lower layer and in fluid communication with the intermediate layer. Disappearing ink flowing through the reservoir tube escapes through the plurality of reservoir tube apertures and enters the intermediate layer and is absorbed therein where upon when pressure is applied to the intermediate layer and the at least one image block the disappearing ink is forced from the intermediate layer through the at least one lower layer aperture and into the at least one image block which in turn causes the at least one image block to disperse the disappearing ink and leave a temporary image.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying and verifying a printed mark on the periphery of generally cylindrically-shaped objects as they travel on a path. The apparatus comprises at least a first conveyor mounted for movement on a first side of the path. The first conveyor is located to engage the objects to translate the objects at a known translational velocity along the path. A transport assembly is mounted for cyclic movement back and forth along a transport assembly path parallel to the path of the objects at least part of the cyclic movement being approximately at the known translational velocity of the objects. A mark applicator is mounted on the transport assembly and is located in a position to apply a mark on each object as the object is translated by the first conveyor. A sensor is mounted on the transport assembly. The sensor is located in a position to read the applied mark on each object as the object is translated by the belt. The sensor generates a signal representative of the mark.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus useful for making color filters for liquid crystal display panels. A multicolored ink pattern is deposited to a substrate while in a deformable state, flattened during the deposition process, and the deformed, more uniform shape of the printed dot is thereafter retained, preferably by curing during deposition. The transfer layer is preferably formed on a collector roll. A plurality of colored ink patterns is then transferred to the collector roll, preferably from a single pattern roll having multiple patterns thereon, to form the multicolor image that will become the color filter. This multicolored image is then transferred to the substrate.

Abstract: An improved method of printing designs on pile fabrics. The finish on the fabric is removed by a washing process or other method. The lack of a finish on the fabric allows the ink maximum absorption. The design to be printed on the fabric is translated from a line drawing into a series of parallel line images oriented on a printing surface so that they are parallel to the pile of the fabric. The use of such parallel line images allows the inks to be placed inside or on top of the pile of fabric. The fabric may be printed using hand printing, automatic rotary printing, or application printing. The automatic rotary printing process is preferred as it gives maximum utility in that it provides an even ink distribution on the fabric and is typically the most economical way of printing. The method applies the inks or dye stuffs utilizing the weave of the fabric so that the ink or dye stuffs rest inside the pile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making contoured planarizing or protective layers for color filters for liquid crystal display panels. A transfer layer is formed on a collector device having a contoured surface. A plurality of colored ink patterns is formed on the transfer layer thereby forming the multicolor image that will become the color filter. This multicolored image is then transferred to the substrate so that the transfer layer in effect becomes a top protective layer or planarizing layer. The contoured surface on the collector device is imparted to the planarizing layer.

Abstract: A pad printing apparatus is provided with a sealed ink cup for the printing of long images having a length greater than the diameter of the ink cup. The ink cup is caused to move lengthwise of the image and the movement of the image transfer pad is in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the image.

Abstract: A color filter for an AMLCD panel has a pattern of multi-color dots, each dot having red, green, and blue components in a black matrix. Each component is the cured product of a color pigment dispersed in a radiation-curable ink. The ink may be an ink curable by a cationic mechanism, a free-radical ink, or a hybrid, free-radical/cationic ink. The filter is produced by successively applying patterns of colored inks to a transfer roll, collecting the patterns on a collector roll to form an array of multi-color dots that is transferred to the substrate, and irradiating the array of dots to at least partially cure the inks.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and a method for making printed foods such as cookies, crackers, and snacks at high production speeds on a continuous basis. The apparatus includes a rotary printer which is synchronized with dough forming apparatus such as a rotary cutter or rotary molder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing a multi-color ink pattern on a substrate surface which comprises arranging a series of patterned surfaces with each patterned surface having a pattern that is unique to one of the colors and that corresponds to the pattern of that color in the multi-color pattern, supplying to each patterned surface a radiation-curable ink formulation, having an appropriate colorant to form an ink pattern thereon, transferring individually the color pattern from each patterned surface to a collector roll, increasing the cohesiveness of the ink sufficiently to permit complete transfer of the pattern, forming a composite of the color patterns on a collector roll, and transferring the composite pattern in its entirety to the substrate surface.

Abstract: A printing machine for printing objects liable to be stacked includes a circular printing table having a plurality of object stations regularly distributed at its perimeter each adapted to receive an object to be printed. By stepwise rotation about an axis, it moves the object stations successively to a loading station, to a plurality of workstations each including a printing system, and to an offloading station. A loading system at the loading station includes a presentation device which moves at least one stack of objects to the loading station and a transfer device operative between the presentation device and the printing table and equipped with at least one pick-up unit adapted to pick up an object from the stack on the presentation device and then to put this object down on one of the object stations of the printing table.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the silk-screen printing of the top surface of a compact disc. Each compact disc is registered in a precise location prior to being printed. A compact disc is registered by an elongated registration pin which is raised vertically upwardly so as to intrude into the center hole of the compact disc from the bottom surface of the disc.

Abstract: A method and a device for printing disc-shaped registration carriers, whereby a print built up of several colors is provided on the registration carrier. Use is made of a printing cylinder, which is moved over a few printing plates, which have been moistened with various colors of ink, whereby the printing cylinder is subsequently rolled over the registration carrier. The device comprises a plurality of processing stations for registration carriers, as well as a transport device by which the disc-shaped registration carriers can be moved from one processing station to the other processing station. One or more processing stations comprise a printing device disposed therein.

Abstract: A multiple station automated cap printer includes a plurality of printing heads mounted in fixed circumferentially spaced relationship to one another and are vertically movable between a raised non-printing position and a lowered printing position. A plurality of printing mandrels are disposed in fixed circumferentially spaced relationship to one another and rotatably mounted about a vertical axis between releasably fixed and precisely aligned positions below a respective one of the printing head. The mandrels include a cylindrical cap receiving platen which is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation extending in a radial direction relative to the rotational path of the mandrel. Each mandrel includes a trolley frame which carries the cylindrical platen in a linear path which mirrors the linear path of travel of a squeegee mounted within each of the printing heads while the platen is rotated through an arcuate distance equal to the linear path of travel of the squeegee.

Abstract: An enclosed ink cup for a pad-type printing machine including a hollow structure defining a reservoir region that is closed around the sides and top, is open only at the bottom, and has a lower edge for sealably contacting an engraved printing plate so as to contain ink within the structure over the plate, and a vacuum port in the structure that communicates with the top of the region for applying a vacuum to the region above the ink to promote sealable contact between the lower edge and the plate.

Abstract: A method for printing identity cards having blind hole-shaped recesses involves filling the recess at least partly with an element at the moment of printing so that the bottom of the recess is pressed against the printing surface. The elements are either firmly mounted on the back pressure surface of the apparatus or movably mounted in this surface. In the second case the elements can disappear into the back pressure surface if necessary.

Abstract: An ink ball printing machine has a slide 45 movable back and forth on a base plate 1 by a drive 25. The slide includes a U-shaped support 8, which is built like a box and made of sheet metal. A printing apparatus 37 and an inking system 18, which can be moved with the slide, are attached to two legs 9, 10 which project beyond the machine housing 2 and belong to the support. The sheet metal support enables a very inexpensive and yet stable fabrication of the ink ball printing machine.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for printing on flat individual articles such as CDs by means of offset printing, the surface to be printed upon and the offset printing cylinder which is rolled against the article are adjusted relative to each other to produce a pressure effect which is favorable to transfer of the print image on to the article in order to compensate for differences in thickness between the individual articles. When adjusting the printing cylinder and the surface to be printed upon relative to each other, the radial position of transfer surfaces at the periphery of the printing cylinder may, if necessary, be taken into account. In the absence of an article in the printing station, it is possible to provide a replacement article in the form of a web of material, on to which the print image intended for the missing article is transferred from the printing cylinder.

Abstract: A device for printing patterns on the curved outer peripheral portion of a shoe sole includes a soft material supported on a table for supporting pigment. A frame is pivotally supported on the table and includes two legs each having an actuators. A last is secured to one of the actuators for supporting the shoe sole and a clamping member is secured to the other actuator and movable toward the last for clamping the shoe sole in place. Another actuator may move the last and the shoe sole downward toward the soft material so as to engage the side portion of the shoe sole with the pigment applied on the soft material.

Abstract: A hose having a multicolored decoration and method for making in which the decoration appears to be a tattoo on the skin of the wearer under the hose. The illusion is created by screen printing water based acrylic inks onto the hose wherein the properties of the ink, particularly the viscosity and surface tension, is selected in operable combination with the selected denier and modification number of the fiber of the fabric to maximize the reflectivity and transmissivity of the decorated fabric. Each color is screen printed in succession with the other colors. Registration between areas of the design is maintained by steps of the method including the step of preshrinking the hose and by using a novel rack to load the hose onto a form having an adhesive coating.

Abstract: A marking device for marking designs on golf balls includes a housing in which an ink pad is disposed. At least one marking plug is removably mounted in the housing by a screw thread connection. One end of the marking plug includes a design projection. If more than one marking plug is provided, they have mutually different design projections. The housing has a door for exposing the ink pad. A marking plug can be unscrewed from the housing, and its design projection can be pressed against the exposed ink pad. The design projection can then be pressed against a golf ball to imprint the design upon the golf ball. The marking surface of the design projection can be concavely curved with the same radius of curvature as the outer periphery of the golf ball. The marking device can be dimensioned for being connected to a chain.

Abstract: Device to process green-tape type circuits, in which a green-tape foil (12) of alumina in the raw state or of another like or analogous material (green-tape foil) acts as a support for circuits (solar cells, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imprinting plastic frustro-conically shaped container with a die containing a printing element or elements compresses and flattens the container sidewall during printing. The design is arcuately arranged to correct for distortion which would occur if the flattened side wall were printed with orthogonally arranged letters or design.

Abstract: The problem of getting inked printing applied to and permanently adhered to a fluorocarbon insulation material on wires or the surface of a fluorocarbon sheath covering a plurality of twisted insulated wires where the sheath also becomes twisted and contoured is overcome by treating the fluorocarbon surface with an electrical corona to etch it and alter its surface characteristics and then printing the desired information on the sheath with an ink jet printer which can reach into the depressions in the sheath which result from the sheath being twisted.

Abstract: A kit for applying stamping identification onto compact discs includes a base for supporting a compact disc, and a hand stamp with a spring loaded spindle sized to fit into a hole in the base for centering the stamp relative to the disc. The spring force on the spindle must be manually overcome to apply the stamp to the disc and helps maintain uniformity of stamping force. The stamp assembles with an inkwell unit for clean and convenient storage of both stamp and inkwell.