Table of Contents
The Basics
While the purpose of a hockey puck isn’t just to be used as a game piece, it’s definitely the most recognizable one. Made of rubber, glass, or plastic material, these round disks range in size from 3.9 to 6.4 inches in diameter – large enough to be gripped easily but not so large as to be unwieldy when used in play. As a result, they’re often used as hockey ball equivalents, in lieu of the standard rubber ball generally associated with the sport.
While it’s not unusual for fans and players to decorate their pucks with stickers, paint, or patterns of any sort using only standard household supplies such as pencils, pens, and felt-tip markers, there are actually a few more elaborate techniques available to ensure your puck will be distinctive and unforgettable. The first and most basic method – and also the one most commonly used by amateurs – is to apply a clear or transparent coat of wax or oil to the surface of the puck. When applied to a properly cleaned and dry puck, this coating will keep the print or design where you put it for a long time before it starts to fade.
Advanced Techniques
If you’re searching for more elaborate methods to print on your hockey puck, you’re in the right place. Below we will discuss a few options that can really make your puck standout – even if you’re an experienced sticker-maker looking for a way to make your product stand out in a crowd.
Inkjet Printing
This is one of the most effective and long-lasting ways of putting prints on a sphere. Also known as direct inkjetting, this printing method consists of using a nozzle to inject tiny droplets of ink on to a sphere surface (as opposed to using a traditional pad or roller to roll the ink on to the surface). The result is a very thin and almost undetectable layer of ink that covers the entire surface of the sphere. It’s a fairly straightforward process that can be mastered with just a few basic tutorials online.
One of the most notable things about this method is the fact that it’s resolution-independent. This means that the quality of the print does not suffer from being generated at a lower resolution – as is the case when you use a laser to carve the design into the surface of the sphere. The reason for this is that the inkjet nozzle can be designed to deliver a perfect print at any resolution. With this in mind, there’s no need to downsize the design just because you’re printing it at a lower resolution – meaning no wasted paper!
Silkscreen Printing
This printing method was first developed in the 1970s and was originally used to print on rectangular pieces of cardboard. Since then, it’s found use in many different industries and can be extremely effective when used for printing on a variety of surfaces. It can also be used to print with multiple colors, creating optical illusions of moving images or creating mosaic-like patterns on surfaces (think LSD jackets, bandannas, and banners). For a more detailed description of the process, please refer to the online documentation available from the manufacturer.
Laser Etching
This is another one of the more unique and long-lasting ways to print on a sphere. Using a laser to literally carve the print into the surface of the sphere creates a magnificent effect that can only be compared to seeing the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls in person. Similar to the inkjet technique discussed previously, laser etching is resolution-independent. This means that the quality of the print does not suffer from being generated at a lower resolution – as is the case with a laser cutter for example. The resolution of a laser is usually measured in thousandths of an inch, with a micrometer resolution being the highest obtainable. This process is also known as Laser Engraving and Laser Etching.
Hot Stamping
While it’s not quite as effective as the previously mentioned methods, hot stamping is nonetheless a great option for those interested in creating decorative patterns on their spheres. The process itself is very similar to, and may in fact be traced back to, the ancient Chinese tradition of hot wax stamping. This technique was used in the Renaissance to decorate playing cards and other items – even using a needle to push tiny dots of hot wax into intricate designs.
The basics of hot stamping involve using a heat-resistant embossing tool (similar to a rubber stamp) to impress your design onto a clean, dry surface. There are a few critical things to keep in mind when using this technique. The first and most important point is that you need to use a proper heat-resistant embossing tool. If you use the wrong one, you could end up damaging your stamps (and your wallet, if you damage any embossing tools while using them).
The second point to keep in mind is that when using this technique, you need to be sure that the item on which you’re applying the stamp is completely clean and dry. If this is not the case, the stamped item may become unreadable. This is especially important if you’re using a texture-forming embossing tool – which, as the name implies, creates a three-dimensional pattern on the surface of the item you’re stamping.
The best way to ensure that your surface is both clean and dry is to use a surface-cleaning products or spray it with a drying agent before applying the stamped pattern. Some common drying agents that can be used with this technique are acetone and nail polish. If you apply the acetone directly to the surface of the item you’re stamping, it will remove most oils and dirt; while the nail polish provides a quick and easy way to coat the item before applying the stamp – ensuring a glossy shine that will make your design pop!
Chemical Etching
This method, also known as liquid masking or chemical etching, involves applying an etching solution (usually muriatic acid, but other variants exist) directly to the surface of the item you’re stamping. Once the acid has etched through the surface, rinse and dry the item to make the design permanent. It’s a simple but effective method that, due to its speed and versatility, has gained popularity in recent years.
Water-Based Ink
This is a combination of the previously mentioned inkjet and etched techniques, with the added bonus of being able to make both shiny and frosty surfaces (useful for adding an extra dimension of texture and visual appeal to your stamped design). It’s a more advanced technique that requires some training in order to get right. However, once you do, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it out sooner.
Acid Etching
This is another simpler method similar to the previous one, but it gets its name from the fact that it uses hydrofluoric acid (instead of muriatic acid) to etch the design into the surface of the item you’re stamping. Like the other methods discussed, this one is also resolution-independent, making it suitable for use at any resolution. However, due to the nature of the chemical reaction that takes place during the process (hydrogen gas is given off, as a byproduct), it is considered less long-lasting than the other techniques we’ve covered so far.
The Choice Is Yours
When it comes to applying prints to spheres, the options are truly endless. From simple print-on-print combinations using the above-mentioned techniques to playing off the different textures available for different surfaces to using a combination of several techniques to create complex imagery or designs, there are countless ways to personalize your product. The only limit is your own imagination! If you have any further questions about applying prints to spheres, please don’t hesitate to give us a call – we’re happy to help out.