Printing plate for discharging a printing ink, printing system and method for printing a container

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing plate for delivering a printing ink to a rubber blanket for printing an object surface, a printing system, at least comprising the printing plate and a rubber blanket, and a method for printing a container with the printing system.

[0002] The invention is used in particular for printing a container, in particular a substantially cylindrical container, such as a beverage can, with an object surface designed as a container wall, which consists of metal and / or glass or comprises metal and / or glass, with a printed image.

[0003] Containers of the type mentioned above are known. The containers serve to contain beverages, food, or other products. A container wall, and optionally also a container base and / or a container lid, can be made of metal and / or glass or comprise these materials. A beverage can, for example, is preferably designed in two parts, with a deep-drawn can body having a base and a can wall, with a lid being flanged onto the open end of the can body after filling. Beverage cans can also be designed in three parts, with a preferably welded can wall and a can base attached to it, as well as a can lid applied after filling.

[0004] For such containers, the dry offset letterpress printing process is typically used. This involves transferring ink from a letterpress printing form, in this case the printing plate, via a rubber intermediate carrier, in this case the rubber blanket, to the container wall. The ink is transferred via raised structures on the printing plate, which contact the rubber blanket.

[0005] In the letterpress printing process, a printing ink is applied to the printing plate. The printing plate is usually mounted on a rotating printing cylinder. The printing inks are then transferred from the printing plates to a rubber blanket (also called a rubber plate or rubber cylinder), which is usually mounted on a rotating cylinder to form a printed image or pattern. From the blanket, the printing inks arranged in the pattern or printed image are then transferred to the object to be printed, here in particular a container, for example a cylindrical container such as a beverage can. The combination of blanket and printing plate can also be referred to as a printing system.

[0006] There is a constant need to improve the print image on such containers. In particular, the color intensity should be maximized. Color intensity can be achieved, for example, by applying a larger amount of printing ink to the printing plate. However, this creates the problem of dot growth, i.e., the increasing expansion of the dot-transferred printing ink from the printing plate via the blanket to the container. This dot growth leads to a visible deterioration of the printed image produced on the container, e.g., due to the mixing of different colors or other color tones / altered color tones.

[0007] From JP 2018 008386 A a rubber blanket for offset printing and an offset printing device are known.

[0008] WO 2016 / 168488 A1 is directed to a variable printing process using flexible secondary plates and special inks.

[0009] From JP 2015 080891 A a method for manufacturing a letterpress machine for printing cans is known.

[0010] The object of the invention is to at least partially solve the problems existing with regard to the prior art and in particular to provide a printing plate with which the quality of a printed image can be further improved.

[0011] These objects are achieved with a printing plate according to the features of patent claim 1, with a printing system according to the features of patent claim 9 and with a method according to the features of patent claim 11.

[0012] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the dependent claims can be combined with one another in a technologically expedient manner and define further embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the features listed in the claims are further specified and explained in the description, where further preferred embodiments of the invention are presented.

[0013] A printing plate for delivering printing ink to a rubber blanket for printing on an object surface is proposed. The printing plate has a plurality of elevations extending from a base area of ​​the printing plate in a direction orthogonal to the base area. Each elevation has a printing surface to which the printing ink can be applied. The printing plate can contact the rubber blanket with the printing surface to transfer the printing ink. At least one of the printing surfaces comprises a first region with a flat surface and at least one second region with a concave surface, wherein the first region completely encloses the at least one second region.

[0014] The printing plate is particularly a component of a printing system for a letterpress offset printing process. This involves the transfer of printing ink from a letterpress form, in this case the printing plate, via a rubber intermediate carrier, in this case the rubber blanket, to an object, e.g., the wall of a container, particularly a beverage can. The printing ink is transferred via the printing surfaces of the raised portions of the printing plate, which contact the rubber blanket. The printing ink is thus transferred to the rubber blanket and from there to the object.

[0015] A printing plate for the letterpress printing process using the dry offset letterpress method is therefore proposed.

[0016] The resulting print image is formed, in particular, by raster dots, with each raster dot representing a printing surface of a raised area. The raster dots or printing surfaces can be spaced at different or equal distances from each other. The raster dots or printing surfaces can have various shapes, e.g., circular, square, rectangular, star-shaped, etc.

[0017] In particular, the printing plate has differently designed elevations. In particular, at least two elevations are designed differently from one another.

[0018] In particular, of the plurality of elevations on the printing plate, a first subset is designed differently than a second subset. The differences may include, for example, the spacing between the printing surfaces, the shape of the printing surface and / or the depression, the size ratios of the first region and the second region, the width or depth of the concave surfaces or the depression, the shape of the concave surfaces or the depression, the presence of a second region or flat printing surfaces (without a depression), etc.

[0019] It is known that the printing surfaces of the raised portions are flat, meaning that the raised portion has a flat surface at the end facing away from the base. This surface runs parallel to the base. The printing surface forms a raster point of the printed image to be generated.

[0020] It is now proposed here that a depression is provided within the otherwise flat printing surface, referred to here as the second region. This depression can in particular accommodate a larger quantity of printing ink. The ink can therefore be distributed more effectively in the depression and then transferred to an object. This means that a higher colour intensity can be achieved with less (or the same amount) of ink. This makes it possible to increase the colour intensity present in this halftone dot of the printed image. It has been shown that by arranging the second region within the first region which completely encloses the second region, growth of the dot created by the printing surface on the object surface (the halftone dot) is at least largely avoided.

[0021] In particular, the at least one second region extends over at most 80%, in particular at most 70%, preferably at most 60%, particularly preferably at most 50% of the printing area of ​​the at least one elevation. In particular, the second region extends over at least 1%, preferably at least 5% or at least 10% of the printing area.

[0022] The size of each area is determined in particular by the projection of the area into the plane of the surface of the first area.

[0023] In particular, the second area is arranged centrally relative to the first area.

[0024] In particular, the boundary line between the first region and the second region runs parallel to an outer boundary line of the first region, i.e., the printing surface. In particular, the outer shape of the second region then corresponds to the outer shape of the printing surface.

[0025] In particular, the shape of the second region may differ from the shape of the printing surface. In particular, a center of gravity of the second region and a center of gravity of the first region overlap.

[0026] In particular, the elevations are arranged on the printing plate with a resolution of 10 to 10,000 elevations per square centimeter, and each elevation forms a raster dot. The elevations of the printing plate can be of the same type or different from one another. The printing surfaces of the elevations are each arranged at the same distance from the base surface of the printing plate. In particular, the printing plate has a total thickness that corresponds to this distance.

[0027] In particular, each elevation extends from a base area of ​​the printing plate along a direction orthogonal to the base area to the printing surface. The section of the base area covered by each elevation, hereinafter referred to as the base area section, can be of the same size for each elevation of the printing plate or of different sizes.

[0028] Starting from the respective covered base area, each elevation extends increasingly tapered toward the printing surface. If the printing surfaces of elevations differ in size while the base area sections of the elevations are the same, the elevations have side walls that are inclined at different angles to the orthogonal direction.

[0029] In particular, a halftone value refers to the proportion of the printing area to a base area section covered by the elevation forming the printing area. In particular, the halftone value is between 2% and 80%, preferably between 4% and 65%. In particular, the halftone value of the at least one elevation comprising the second region is between 2% and 80%, preferably between 4% and 65%.

[0030] In particular, each elevation having a halftone value of at least 65%, preferably of at least 70%, particularly preferably of at least 80%, does not have a second region, but only a printing area with an exclusively flat surface.

[0031] In particular, the at least one second region, starting from the flat surface of the first region, has a greatest depth of between at least 1 µm and at most 100 µm and forms a cavity between a plane of the surface of the first region and the depth. The greatest depth is in particular at least 5 µm, particularly preferably 10 µm. The greatest depth is in particular at most 80 µm, particularly preferably at most 50 µm, or even at most 35 µm.

[0032] In particular, the depth extends from a plane of the surface of the first region along the orthogonal direction toward the base surface of the base plate. The cavity is formed between this plane, in which the flat surface of the first region extends, and the depth.

[0033] The cavity serves primarily as a reservoir for the printing ink. The reservoir is preferably refilled with printing ink after each contact between the raised area and the rubber blanket.

[0034] In particular, the cavity has a first cross-sectional area in the plane of the surface of the first region. In particular, the cavity has a second cross-sectional area arranged parallel to the first cross-sectional area along the orthogonal direction (up to the greatest depth). At least one second cross-sectional area arranged at a distance from the plane and parallel to the first cross-sectional area is smaller, the same size, or larger than the first cross-sectional area. In particular, all second cross-sectional areas are smaller, the same size, or larger than the first cross-sectional area. The shape of the cavity can be used to influence, in particular, the transfer of the printing ink to the rubber blanket. Furthermore, the shape of the cavity (and the greatest depth) can influence the volume of the cavity and thus the amount of printing ink transferred to the rubber blanket.

[0035] Between two adjacent printing surfaces or elevations, there is, in particular, a valley (an intermediate depth), the deepest point of which is located along the orthogonal direction at a distance (i.e., the depth of the intermediate depth) from the plane of the surface of the first area of ​​at least 50 µm. This valley between the printing surfaces or elevations is not exposed to printing ink during operation of the printing plate or printing system, nor is it used to transfer printing ink to the blanket.

[0036] In particular, the plurality of elevations is at least partially formed from an elastically deformable plastic, preferably from an elastomer or a photopolymer.

[0037] The use of an elastically deformable plastic for the printing plate or the raised areas has the particular advantage of improving the resolution and contrast of the resulting printed image. The elastically deformable plastic, particularly the elastomer or photopolymer, can better compensate for the pressure between a printing cylinder, on which the printing plate is usually mounted, and a rubber blanket, onto which the printing ink is transferred from the printing plate, than a non-deformable or less deformable printing plate.

[0038] The use of elastically deformable plastic can, in particular, enable a higher resolution with correspondingly sharper and better defined edges of the printed image or the individual raster dots.

[0039] A further advantage arises from the simpler and more cost-effective processing of the elastically deformable plastic, especially the elastomer, for example, by laser processing or UV irradiation, which allows for the realization of particularly preferred designs of the printing surfaces. An elastomer can be processed, in particular, with laser radiation, while a photopolymer can be processed with laser radiation or UV radiation.

[0040] A printing system is further proposed, comprising at least the described printing plate and a rubber blanket for absorbing the printing ink from the printing plate and transferring the printing ink to the surface of an object to be printed. The printing system is particularly intended for carrying out a letterpress printing process (dry offset letterpress process).

[0041] In particular, the printing plate and the rubber blanket are each roll-shaped or cylindrical, i.e., designed as rollers, and contact each other via their respective cylindrical contact surfaces. In particular, the rubber blanket rolls on the one hand on the printing plate and on the other hand on the object or container, so that with one rotation of the rubber blanket, each surface section of the rubber blanket absorbs printing ink from the printing plate once and transfers this printing ink to the surface of an object.

[0042] A method for printing an object with the described printing system is further proposed, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: a) Providing an object having an object surface and arranging the container in the printing system; b) Printing the object surface with printing ink, which is transferred from the rubber blanket, starting from the printing plate, to the object surface, wherein the printing ink is transferred from at least the at least one printing surface, comprising the first region and the at least one second region, to the rubber blanket.

[0043] In particular, the process can use spot colors (i.e. colors produced by mixing) or process colors (colors consisting of the standard process colors CMYK, i.e. cyan, magenta, yellow and contrast or black), or even a combination of spot colors and process colors.

[0044] The printed image can, in particular, consist at least partially of halftone dots, each formed by process colors / spot colors. The desired color on the printed object can be created by arranging a plurality of halftone dots of different process colors / spot colors.

[0045] Containers, preferably beverage cans, are used as the object to be printed. These can be made, for example, of aluminum or aluminum alloys or steel, especially tinplate. The containers can also be provided with various lacquers and / or coatings, which can be located above and / or below the described printed image. The printed image is preferably applied to a white background, especially if the container wall is made of or comprises steel.

[0046] The object surface or container wall is understood to mean, in particular, the outer surface of a substantially cylindrical container body. Furthermore, the container wall can also encompass the entire object surface, in particular the entire outer object surface, of the container, i.e., including its bottom or lid.

[0047] Furthermore, the container can be provided with a background coating beneath the printed image. This background coating can, for example, serve to provide a uniform background color for the printed image. The background coating can, for example, be white.

[0048] In particular, the printing of an object or container, in particular a beverage can, with a print image takes place at the speed of the usual manufacturing or production process for containers or beverage cans, e.g. at a speed of approximately 2,000 containers per minute.

[0049] With the proposed printing plate, printing system, and method, printing ink can be saved compared to known printing methods. Furthermore, the contrast of the printed image can be improved, especially on metallic containers. In particular, increased color intensity can be achieved. The merging of printing inks between adjacent dots can be prevented. Dot growth, i.e., the enlargement of the dot in the printed image relative to the printing area, can be prevented or even more severely limited.

[0050] The statements regarding the printing plate apply equally to the printing system and the process and vice versa.

[0051] The use of indefinite articles ("a," "an," "one," and "another"), particularly in the patent claims and the description reproducing them, is to be understood as such and not as a numeral. Terms or components introduced accordingly are therefore to be understood as being present at least once and, in particular, as being able to be present multiple times.

[0052] As a precaution, it should be noted that the numerals used here ("first", "second", ...) primarily serve (only) to distinguish between several similar objects, quantities, or processes, and therefore do not necessarily specify any interdependence and / or sequence of these objects, quantities, or processes. Should a dependence and / or sequence be required, this is explicitly stated here or will be obvious to the person skilled in the art upon studying the specifically described embodiment. To the extent that a component can occur multiple times ("at least one"), the description of one of these components may apply equally to all or part of the majority of these components, but this is not mandatory.

[0053] The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. It should be noted that the invention is not intended to be limited by the exemplary embodiments cited. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract partial aspects of the facts explained in the figures and combine them with other components and findings from the present description. In particular, it should be noted that the figures, and in particular the proportions shown, are only schematic. They show: Fig. 1: a known printing plate in a side view in section; Fig. 2: a printing system with the printing plate according to Fig. 1 in a side view in section; Fig. 3: a printing plate in a side view in section; Fig. 4: a printing system with the printing plate according to Fig. 3in a side view in section; Fig. 5: a known printing plate with different elevations in a side view in section; Fig. 6: a printing plate with different elevations in a side view in section; Fig. 7: a first embodiment of an elevation in a perspective view; Fig. 8: a second embodiment of an elevation in a perspective view; Fig. 9: a third embodiment of an elevation in a perspective view; Fig. 10: a fourth embodiment of an elevation in a perspective view; Fig. 11: a printing plate in a perspective view; and Fig. 12: a printing system with different printing inks in a side view in section.

[0054] Fig. 1 shows a known printing plate 1 in a side view in section. Fig. 2 shows a printing system 19 with the printing plate 1 according to Fig. 1 in a side view in section. The Figures 1 and 2are described together below.

[0055] The printing system 19 comprises the printing plate 1 and a rubber blanket 3 for receiving the printing ink 2 from the printing plate 1 and for transferring the printing ink 2 to an object surface 4 of an object 20 to be printed (see Fig. 12 ). The printing plate 1 has a plurality of identically designed elevations 5 which extend from a base surface 6 of the printing plate 1 in a direction 7 orthogonal to the base surface 6. Each elevation 5 has a printing surface 8 onto which the printing ink 2 is applied. The printing plate 1 can contact the rubber blanket 3 with the printing surface 8 to transfer the printing ink 2. The printing surfaces 8 have a flat surface 10. Between each of the adjacent elevations there is a valley 23 in which no printing ink 2 is applied during printing.

[0056] Fig. 3shows a printing plate 1 in a side view in section. Fig. 4 shows a printing system 19 with the printing plate 1 according to Fig. 3 in a side view in section. The Figs. 3 and 4 are described together below. The explanations regarding the Fig. 1 and 2 is referred to.

[0057] In contrast to the known printing plate 1, the printing surfaces 8 each have an annular first region 9 with a flat surface 10 and a second region 11 with a concave surface, wherein the first region 9 completely encloses the second region 11.

[0058] Within the otherwise flat printing area 8 (see Fig. 1 and 2 ) is for printing plate 1 after Figs. 3 and 4a depression is provided, here designated by the second region 11. This depression can accommodate a larger amount of printing ink 2. This allows the color intensity present in this halftone dot 12 of the printed image 24 (here on the rubber blanket 3) to be increased. It has been shown that by arranging the second region 11 within the first region 9, which completely encloses the second region 11, growth of the dot (the halftone dot 12) created by the printing area 8 on the object surface 4 is at least largely prevented.

[0059] Fig. 5 shows a known printing plate 1 with different elevations 5 in a side view in section. Fig. 6 shows a printing plate 1 with different elevations 5 in a side view in section. The Figs. 5 and 6 are described together below. The explanations regarding the Fig. 1 to 4 is referred to.

[0060] The elevations 5 are each designed differently. The printing surfaces 8 of the elevations 5 are each arranged at an equal distance 25 from the base surface 6 of the printing plates 1.

[0061] Each elevation 5 extends from a base area 6 of the printing plate 1 along the direction 7 orthogonal to the base area 6 up to the printing surface 8. The section of the base area 6 covered by each elevation 5, referred to here as base area section 13, is in this case designed to be of different sizes for each elevation 5 of the printing plate 1.

[0062] Starting from the respective covered base area section 13, each elevation 5 extends increasingly tapered towards the pressure surface 8. The elevations 5 have side walls 26 which are inclined differently from one another to the orthogonal direction 7.

[0063] A halftone value refers to the proportion of the printing area 8 in a base area section 13 covered by the elevation 5 forming the printing area 8. Here, the halftone value of the elevations 5 increases from left to right (ie the printing areas 8 become larger).

[0064] In Fig. 6 It can be seen that each elevation 5 which has a halftone value of at least 65% does not have a second area 11, but only a printing area 8 with an exclusively flat surface 10.

[0065] The second region 11 of each elevation 5 has, starting from the flat surface 10 of the first region 9, a greatest depth 14 of between at least 1 µm and at most 100 µm and forms a cavity 16 between a plane 15 of the surface 10 of the first region 9 and the depth 14.

[0066] The depth 14 extends from a plane 15 of the surface 10 of the first region 9 along the orthogonal direction 7 towards the base surface 6 of the printing plate 1. The cavity 16 is formed between this plane 15, in which the flat surface 10 of the first region 9 extends, and the depth 14.

[0067] The cavity 16 serves as a reservoir for the printing ink 2.

[0068] Between each of two adjacent printing surfaces 8 or elevations 5, there is a valley 23, the lowest point of which is located along the orthogonal direction 7 at a distance 27 from the plane 15 of the surface 10 of the first region 9. This valley 23 between the printing surfaces 8 or elevations 5 is not exposed to the printing ink 2 during operation of the printing plate 1 or the printing system 19, or is not used to transfer the printing ink 2 to the rubber blanket 3.

[0069] Fig. 7shows a first embodiment of an elevation 5 in a perspective view. Fig. 8 shows a second embodiment of an elevation 5 in a perspective view. Fig. 9 shows a third embodiment of an elevation 5 in a perspective view. Fig. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of an elevation 5 in a perspective view. The Fig. 7 to 10 are described together below. The explanations regarding the Figs. 3 and 4 and 6 is referred to.

[0070] The elevations 5 shown are designed differently, i.e. they have different shapes, pressure surfaces 8, side walls 26, first areas 9 and second areas 11 or depths 14 and cavities 16.

[0071] Each cavity 16 has a first cross-sectional area 17 (each circular) in the plane 15 of the surface 10 of the first region 9. Each cavity 16 has second cross-sectional areas 18 arranged along the orthogonal direction 7 and up to the greatest depth 14 parallel to the first cross-sectional area 17. The second cross-sectional areas 18 of the Fig. 7 and Fig. 10 are each equal to the respective first cross-sectional area 17. In Figs. 8 and 9 the second cross-sectional areas 18 are each larger than the respective first cross-sectional area 17. In Fig. 9 at least some of the second cross-sectional surfaces 18 are square.

[0072] Fig. 11 shows a printing plate 1 in a perspective view. The elevations 5 are all designed identically. The printing surfaces 8 of the elevations 5 are each arranged at an equal distance 25 from the base surface 6 of the printing plates 1.

[0073] Each elevation 5 extends from a base area 6 of the printing plate 1 along the direction 7 orthogonal to the base area 6 up to the printing surface 8. The section of the base area 6 covered by each elevation 5, here referred to as base area section 13, is in this case of the same size for each elevation 5 of the printing plate 1.

[0074] Starting from the respective covered base surface section 13, each elevation 5 extends increasingly tapered towards the pressure surface 8. The elevations 5 have side walls 26 inclined to the orthogonal direction 7. The pressure surface 8 of each elevation 5 has an annular first region 9 with a flat surface 10 and a second region 11 with a concave surface, wherein the first region 9 completely encloses the second region 11.

[0075] Between each of two adjacent printing surfaces 8 or elevations 5, there is a valley 23, the lowest point of which is located along the orthogonal direction 7 at a distance 27 from the plane 15 of the surface 10 of the first region 9. This valley 23 between the printing surfaces 8 or elevations 5 is not exposed to the printing ink 2 during operation of the printing plate 1 or the printing system 19, or is not used to transfer the printing ink 2 to the rubber blanket 3.

[0076] Fig. 12 shows a printing system 19 with different printing inks 2 in a side view in section.

[0077] The printing plates 1 and the rubber blanket 3 are each roll-shaped or cylindrical, i.e. designed as rollers, and contact one another via their respective cylindrical contact surfaces 21. The rubber blanket 3 rolls on the one hand on each printing plate 1 and on the other hand on the object 20 or container, so that with one rotation of the rubber blanket 3, each surface section 22 of the rubber blanket 3 has absorbed printing ink 2 from each printing plate 1 and released this printing ink 2 onto the object surface 4 of an object 20. With each rotation of the rubber blanket 3, a plurality of objects 20 are printed. For this purpose, the rubber blanket 3 has a plurality of surface sections 22, wherein each surface section 22 prints exactly one object 20 with a print image 24. The surface sections 22 are arranged in particular at a distance from one another along the circumferential direction, so that the sequential printing of a plurality of individual containers is enabled. List of reference symbols

[0078] 1Printing plate 2Printing ink 3Rubber blanket 4Object surface 5Elevation 6Base area 7Direction 8Printing area 9First area 10Surface 11Second area 12Grid point 13Base area section 14Depth 15Plane 16Cavity 17First cross-sectional area 18Second cross-sectional area 19Printing system 20Object 21Contact area 22Surface section 23Valley 24Print image 25Gap 26Side wall 27Distance

Claims

1. Printing plate (1) for transferring a printing ink (2) to a rubber blanket (3) for printing on an object surface (4), the printing plate (1) having a plurality of elevations (5) which, starting from a base surface (6) of the printing plate (1), extend in a direction (7) orthogonal to the base surface (6), each elevation (5) having a printing surface (8) to which the printing ink (2) can be applied, with which the printing plate (1) contacts the rubber blanket (3) for transferring the printing ink (2), characterized in that at least one of the printing surfaces (8) comprises a first region (9) with a flat surface (10) and at least one second region (11) with a concave surface (10), wherein the first region (9) completely encloses the at least one second region (11).

2. Printing plate (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second region (11) extends over at most 80% of the printing surface (8).

3. Printing plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two elevations (5) are designed differently from one another.

4. Printing plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the elevations (5) are arranged on the printing plate (1) with a resolution of 10 to 10,000 elevations (5) per square centimeter and each elevation (5) forms a grid point (12).

5. Printing plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a halftone value denotes the proportion of the printing surface (8) on a base surface section (13) covered by the elevation (5) forming the printing surface (8); wherein the halftone value is between 2 % and 80 %.

6. Printing plate (1) according to claim 5, wherein the elevations of the printing plate, which have a halftone value of at least 80%, have an exclusively flat surface (10).

7. Printing plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one second region (11), starting from the flat surface (10) of the first region (9), has a maximum depth (14) of between at least 1 µm and at most 100 µm and forms a cavity (16) between a plane (15) of the surface (10) of the first region (9) and the depth (14).

8. Printing plate (1) according to claim 7, wherein the cavity (16) in the plane (15) of the surface (10) of the first region (9) has a first cross-sectional area (17), wherein at least one second cross-sectional area (18) arranged at a distance from the plane (15) towards the depth (14) and parallel to the first cross-sectional area (17) is the same size or larger than the first cross-sectional area (17).

9. Printing system (19), at least comprising a printing plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a rubber blanket (3) for receiving the printing ink (2) from the printing plate (1) and for transferring the printing ink (2) to an object surface (4) of an object (20) to be printed.

10. Printing system (19) according to claim 9, wherein the printing plate (1) and the rubber blanket (3) are each designed in the form of rollers and make contact via their respective cylindrical contact surfaces (21).

11. Method for printing an object (20) with a printing system (19) according to one of the preceding claims 9 and 10, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: a) providing an object (20) with an object surface (4) and arranging the object (20) in the printing system (1); b) printing the object surface (4) with a printing ink (2) which is transferred from the printing plate (1) by the rubber blanket (3) to the object surface (4), the printing ink (2) being transferred to the rubber blanket (3) at least from the at least one printing area (8) comprising the first area (9) and the at least one second area (11).