Pad Printing Process

Pad printing machine is known for providing speedy and high clarity printing. This is a type of offset printing technique which is not only versatile but also prints three dimensional objects and compound angles. The process of pad printing is simple and not very complicated. It is most suitable for printing on flat surfaces and on objects which are not regular in shape. The irregular shaped objects are also called substrate.

Elements Involved In Pad Printing Process

The pad printing process when done using the following elements is more flexible as compared to other printing processes.

1- The Cliché

The cliché is a plate on which the image which is to be printed is carved. The cliché is generally made up of a polymer coating on a metal backing or of hardened steel. When the cliché is located on the printer, it is inked by an open inkwell doktoring system. A closed ink cup sliding across the image can also be used.

2- The Ink

Inks used for pad printing are versatile just like other elements involved in this process. Available in variety of colors and series, they are not particular to any type of substrate which is to be printed on. Various elements in ink get different reactions from different materials. For instance, the ink giving good presentation on plastics may not give same response to the glass or aluminum. Medical grade inks are used in medical industry and edible inks are used onto candies or other such products.

3- The Pad

The pad picks and transfers the image to the product, when the cliché is inked. Pads are made of silicon and may vary in hardness. Silicon has certain properties which facilitate the ink to stick to the pad temporarily. But it gets released when silicon comes into contact with the product. The moldness of the image on the product depends on the thickness of the pad.