Experts..is this even possible??

[this-guy-needs-help]

First off, I apologize if this is the wrong section to post in..

Hello good people of print planet! It seems as if a lot of print savvy people are here and hopefully someone can guide me in the right direction because I am more than lost. I am about zero for hundred in finding a solution. So here it is.
I am in the midst of a project I have been developing for the past 6 months and have came across a giant obstacle. I am trying to get multiple colored patterns printed on a shoe lace aglet (The fastening tip at the end of a shoelace) The aglets could be basically any medium (plastic, metal, brass, aluminum) really anything that works for the printer.
Ideally I wanted to print already on a pre rolled aglet (picture below) otherwise if I printed on a sheet and then rolled the aglet i would have to deal with the print rubbing off or cracking. Is there any printer or technique that can handle printing on a small tubular piece such as an aglet?

I seriously do appreciate the thought and time to read this. Thank you!!

 

[arossetti]

Out of curiosity, what quantity?

 

[this-guy-needs-help]

Anywhere between 3,000 and 5,000 aglets.

 

[dabob]

this might help . . .

Custom Logo Tubular Polyester Shoelace Aglets For Sale - Buy Shoelace,Tubular Shoelace,Shoelaces For Sale Product on Alibaba.com

 

[akalaray]

Look into Pad printing.

 

[this-guy-needs-help]

Hey thanks for the reply, I have tried looking at alibaba but the main idea was that the lace I use is plain, just the aglet will be printed with a design. Seems as if the aglet designs on that page depends on the lace.
Thanks you!

 

[this-guy-needs-help]

Look into Pad printing.

I have briefly with no luck but I will do some more research. Thank you!

 

[David Kunkel]

Perhaps heatshrink tubing would work here?

Perhaps heatshrink tubing would work here?

Might be easier to print a design on continuous heatshrink tubing and then heat shrink it down to a friction fit onto the aglet.

First off, I apologize if this is the wrong section to post in..

Hello good people of print planet! It seems as if a lot of print savvy people are here and hopefully someone can guide me in the right direction because I am more than lost. I am about zero for hundred in finding a solution. So here it is.
I am in the midst of a project I have been developing for the past 6 months and have came across a giant obstacle. I am trying to get multiple colored patterns printed on a shoe lace aglet (The fastening tip at the end of a shoelace) The aglets could be basically any medium (plastic, metal, brass, aluminum) really anything that works for the printer.
Ideally I wanted to print already on a pre rolled aglet (picture below) otherwise if I printed on a sheet and then rolled the aglet i would have to deal with the print rubbing off or cracking. Is there any printer or technique that can handle printing on a small tubular piece such as an aglet?

I seriously do appreciate the thought and time to read this. Thank you!!

 

[this-guy-needs-help]

That sounds extremely interesting. Would you happen to know when dealing with that type of material are you limited with design and pattern shapes when printing?
Thank you so much. I got that small glimpse of hope when I read your reply! Thank you David!!

Might be easier to print a design on continuous heatshrink tubing and then heat shrink it down to a friction fit onto the aglet.

 

[Deleted member 16349]

First off, I apologize if this is the wrong section to post in..

Hello good people of print planet! It seems as if a lot of print savvy people are here and hopefully someone can guide me in the right direction because I am more than lost. I am about zero for hundred in finding a solution. So here it is.
I am in the midst of a project I have been developing for the past 6 months and have came across a giant obstacle. I am trying to get multiple colored patterns printed on a shoe lace aglet (The fastening tip at the end of a shoelace) The aglets could be basically any medium (plastic, metal, brass, aluminum) really anything that works for the printer.
Ideally I wanted to print already on a pre rolled aglet (picture below) otherwise if I printed on a sheet and then rolled the aglet i would have to deal with the print rubbing off or cracking. Is there any printer or technique that can handle printing on a small tubular piece such as an aglet?

I seriously do appreciate the thought and time to read this. Thank you!!

Maybe some kind of laser engraving or maybe even ink jet.

 

[rich apollo]

I believe that any post-aglet-ized printing would be limited to a single region of contact (think of PVC pipe or electrical wiring). If you're wanting to have the design cover the aglet, I think the material will need to print flat before being cut and applied.

Take a look at the Roland LEF-12. It's an UV inkjet device that will print on all kinds of items. An aglet might be too small, though.

 

[David Kunkel]

Sorry, no personal experience, it was just a brainstorm. But a cursory Google search turned up a lot of manufacturers. Here's a typical one: Heatshrink.com : Custom Printing