Pad Printing Services

WHAT IS PAD PRINTING?
Pad printing is a wet process where ink is transferred to a part on either a round, oval or irregular surface. First a film positive is made from the desired artwork. This film positive is then used to create a printing plate (cliché) which contains an etched image of the desired artwork. Ink is then spread into the etching and a blade or ceramic ring is used to remove all the excess ink from the plate; leaving ink only in the etched portion of the plate. A silicone pad of the correct size, shape and firmness is then used to remove the ink from the etching, allowing the ink to adhere to the silicone pad. The pad is then compressed on the part, transferring the ink with the desired image onto the part.

The advantage to pad printing is that ink can be transferred to irregular three-dimensional surfaces because the silicone pad wraps around the part adapting to its particular shape without distorting the image. There are, of course, some size and radius restrictions to this method. This process also allows for the printing of fine detail and single or tight multi-color registration.

Over the years, SGC has established a reputation for excellent service, quality and dependability. Our extensive knowledge and experience in pad printing technology allows us to provide our customers with the solutions to their pad printing needs at the most advantageous price.