Silicone Pads for Pad Printing
PBE Marking Systems supplies a wide range of silicone pads designed specifically for pad printing applications. These pads are a critical part of the printing process, responsible for lifting ink from the cliché and transferring it cleanly and precisely onto the product surface.
We provide both standard and custom-designed pads to suit a wide variety of shapes, print requirements, and machine types. For every application, from printing fine text on medical components or branding curved consumer packaging, we’ll help you select the right pad for the job.
What Are Pad Printing Pads?
In pad printing, the silicone pad, also known as a transfer pad or tampon, is the flexible tool that picks up ink from the etched plate (cliché) and presses it onto the part being printed.
Silicone is used because of its excellent shape memory, flexibility, and ink release properties. This allows the pad to compress and conform to curved, angled, or textured surfaces, while still transferring the ink in a clean, controlled way.
The shape, size, hardness (durometer), and surface finish of the pad all affect the quality of the print.
Types of Silicone Pads We Supply
We offer a wide selection of pad shapes and hardness levels, suitable for manual, semi-automatic, and automated pad printing machines:
- Standard domed pads – for general use on flat or gently curved parts
- Long narrow pads – ideal for elongated artwork or product features
- Conical and wedge-shaped pads – for hard-to-reach or recessed areas
- Custom pads – designed for highly specific parts or difficult geometries
Pads are available in a range of shore hardness levels, with softer pads used for textured or uneven surfaces, and harder pads offering greater stability on flat, smooth substrates.
Choosing the Right Pad
Getting the right pad is critical to consistent print quality. Key factors include:
- Shape and size of the artwork
- Contours and surface geometry of the part
- Ink type and transfer properties
- Level of detail required (e.g. fine text or halftones)
- Machine compatibility and print cycle conditions
We’ll review your artwork and part samples to recommend the most suitable pad or develop a bespoke shape for your application.
Common Applications
Our silicone pads are used in a wide variety of sectors and product types, including:
- Medical components – syringes, surgical tools, test kits
- Consumer packaging – caps, jars, cosmetic containers
- Industrial parts – switches, housings, fasteners
- Promotional products – pens, keyrings, gadgets
- Automotive interiors – buttons, panels, trim
Why Choose PBE for Pad Printing Pads?
We’ve been working with pad printing systems and consumables for decades, and understand how to get the best out of every print cycle. When you buy silicone printing pads from PBE, you benefit from:
- Expert advice on pad selection and artwork compatibility
- A wide stock of pad shapes, sizes, and hardnesses
- Bespoke pad design for specialist or complex parts
- Consistent supply for repeat jobs and production runs
- Compatibility with PBE-supplied pad printing machinery
- Support with testing, troubleshooting, and print setup
Whether you’re ordering a single replacement or setting up an entirely new printing process, our team will work closely with you to ensure clean, reliable transfers and an efficient overall process.
Order or Enquire About Silicone Pads
If you know the pad you need, or you’d like support selecting the right one, we’re here to help. We can also supply cliché plates and inks to complete your pad printing setup.
Get in touch today to speak with a specialist or request a sample.
Any questions?
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+44 (0) 118 9180 420
Our company
Experts in product marking
and decorating solutions.
Experience
With over 40 years in the product marking industry, we supply the best quality hot foil stamping, pad printing and screen printing machinery and consumables to a wide variety of sectors.
Consumables
We can provide a comprehensive range of consumables for hot stamping, screen printing, and pad printing machines. Our offerings include custom dies and a diverse spectrum of foil rolls and inks, providing you with a complete array of options to meet your specific needs.
Servicing
We deliver comprehensive servicing solutions for hot stamping, screen printing, and pad printing machines, offering everything from one-time servicing to ongoing support and maintenance.
Machinery
PBE offers an extensive selection of hot stamping, screen printing, and pad printing machines sourced from top-tier global manufacturers.