Pad printing

The ink can be applied onto the part with a soft silicone rubber pad, whereby two methods can be distinguished.

In the first method, the pad is provided with the decorative pattern in relief. The pad is first pressed onto a transfer plate covered with a layer of ink, deposited by a roller. The pad picks up the ink from the plate and is then pressed onto the part to be printed.

In the second method, the pattern has been etched in a cliche plate as shown.

Pad printing with cliche plate

A layer of ink is applied onto the plate and the excess ink is wiped off with a blade. The ink only remains in the recess areas of the plate. The rubber pad with a flat surface is then pressed on the cliche plate and picks up the design. Finally the pad is pressed onto the part.

Pad printing is a relatively simple and cheap process for printing in one color. Multi-color designs can however be made by sequentially overprinting with fast curing inks. Color registration is fair to good, depending on the equipment. The resolution of detail is fine to medium.