Pad printing stands out as one of the only printing methods capable of producing highly detailed images on irregular surfaces, such as golf balls or even walnuts. It also excels at printing on textured plastics and smooth materials. This unique capability is due to the soft RTV silicone printing pad, which flexes and adapts to curved, recessed, or uneven surfaces with ease. Pad printing can achieve incredibly fine details, such as text as small as 3 to 4pt, making it a preferred method for precision printing.

With a thin ink deposit of just 0.001 inches, pad printing inks are specially formulated to contain four times the pigment of screen printing inks, ensuring vibrant and consistent results. Additionally, pad printing allows for multi-color designs without the need for curing the ink between each color, boosting efficiency and productivity.

Versatility
Pad printing is incredibly versatile, capable of printing on a wide variety of substrate materials. These include plastics (in hundreds of formulations), metals (such as anodized aluminum and powder-coated steel), glass, silicone, and ceramics. It can print on flat, round, convex, or concave parts, making it an ideal solution for diverse applications.

Accuracy
High-quality pad printing equipment, like the Swiss-engineered microPrint machines, ensures unparalleled precision. The process delivers tight color-to-color registration and consistent artwork placement. Typical color registration accuracy is ± 0.002 inches, with repeatable image placement accuracy also at ± 0.002 inches when paired with a well-designed nesting fixture and accurate parts.

Durability
Pad printing inks are formulated for exceptional durability, offering resistance to abrasion, chemicals, and UV light. Available in one-component and two-component solvent-based formulations, as well as UV-cured options, these inks are engineered to deliver vibrant and long-lasting graphics on a wide range of surfaces.

Why Choose Pad Printing?
Pad printing is the go-to solution for achieving detailed, accurate, and durable designs on both common and complex substrates. From promotional products and medical devices to electronics and industrial parts, this method combines versatility, precision, and reliability to meet the highest standards of quality.