What Is Pad Printing?

What Is Pad Printing?

A form of screen printing, pad printing (also known as tampography) utilizes flexible silicone pads to transfer ink onto objects with recessed or raised areas, and on convex or concave surfaces.pad printing In addition to providing superior quality on smaller components and parts with intricate or uneven shapes, it allows for multiple colors to be printed without the need for changing screens or reworking etched cliches. This is especially useful for printing on medical products like syringes and catheters, automotive parts such as dashboards or steering wheels, and sports equipment like racquetballs and golf balls.

The process begins with digitalizing the image or design to be printed, typically by a computer-controlled laser, which then is etched onto a photopolymer plate or cliche.pad printing The plate is then used to create a stamp-like print on the transfer pad, which in turn prints the desired design on the object being decorated. The pad is then wiped clean and is used to repeat the process with the next item being printed. The pads are often reusable, but must be cleaned regularly to avoid contamination and maintain print accuracy.

Unlike screen printing and hot stamping, which require high amounts of manual labor for each color to be printed, pad printing can produce complex multi-color designs with extreme precision. This is possible because the ink layer that is transferred to the product via the pad is 4 to 10 microns thick, allowing for fine lines and detailed images. This level of accuracy also makes pad printing well-suited for the decoration of products with curved or contoured surfaces.

Inks used for pad printing are formulated to match the substrate being decorated. They can be either solvent-based, which require the ink to be completely dried before use (along with a special hardener for some materials), or UV based inks that can be instantly cured. Some inks are even FDA approved and edible, for decoration of food or pharmaceutical products, and there are ecological variants available for lower environmental impact.

It is important to select a transfer pad that is the right size and shape for the product being decorated, in order to ensure the best possible result. The pad must be made from high-quality, durable silicone that can easily pick up and hold the ink layer. It must also be cleaned regularly and maintained in order to avoid contamination and to keep the ink viscosity consistent for optimum performance.

Ink changes should be performed with a toolless pad change system to speed up production and reduce waste, which can be accomplished with Trans Tech's range of pads and machines. Other key considerations when selecting a pad include the size of the image, complexity of the design, and print volume requirements. A variety of thinners should also be kept on hand, as different temperatures affect the evaporation rate of the solvents in the ink mixture.

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