Evolution and Trends in Metal Decorating.

From earliest times metal decorating has been an art form used to beautify hand wrought articles of metal. Today metal decorating means the extensive industry involved in coating and printing metal plate for manufacture of containers, signs, toys, display racks, etc. The offset principle of using a rubber blanket to transfer ink from the stone to the metal sheet was invented in 1875. Later grained zinc printing plates came into use to replace the lithographer's stone. Metal decorating as understood in metal container manufacturing is applied to both inside and outside surfaces. Application methods and materials requirement of both inside and outside coatings are discussed. Evolutionary changes in the physical structure of metal plate and the changes in container manufacturing processes are discussed in relation to their effect on metal decorating. The special area of metal decorating - printing on shapes or preformed cans is briefly described.