Pad Printing
At PBE Marking Systems, we supply high-quality pad printing machines and pad printing equipment to manufacturers across a wide range of industries. With over 40 years of experience in the product marking industry, we work closely with our customers to deliver solutions that are accurate, repeatable, and built to last.
Our pad printing equipment is used in everything from medical and automotive components to consumer goods and promotional items. Whether you’re printing detailed graphics onto curved surfaces or branding thousands of parts per hour, we’ll help you find a setup that meets your production needs.
What is Pad Printing?
Pad printing is a specialised process used to transfer ink from an etched plate (known as a cliché) onto the surface of a product using a flexible silicone pad. Because the pad can conform to irregular shapes, pad printing is ideal for decorating curved, recessed, or textured surfaces.
Pad printing allows for precise, consistent printing on a wide range of materials including plastics, metals, ceramics, glass, and coated surfaces. It’s commonly used for logos, product markings, and detailed designs where accuracy and repeatability are key.
The Pad Printing Process
Here’s how the pad printing process works from start to finish:
Printing Plate
The first step is to create a printing plate, also known as a cliché. This plate contains the image or artwork to be printed. The design is either chemically etched or laser engraved into the surface of a metal or photopolymer plate, depending on the application. The depth and clarity of this etching determine the quality of the print.
Ink Preparation
Pad printing uses specially formulated inks that are selected based on the substrate being printed. These inks are typically more viscous than those used in other printing methods to ensure accurate transfer. In many cases, additives or hardeners are used to enhance adhesion or durability on certain materials.
Ink Application
Ink is applied across the surface of the cliché, flooding the etched area. A doctor blade or ceramic ring then scrapes away excess ink, leaving it only in the recessed design.
Transfer to the pad
A silicone pad presses down onto the cliché. Thanks to the pad’s flexibility and shape memory, it picks up the ink from the etched area without disturbing the design. The pad shape is carefully selected to match the contours of the part and ensure smooth ink pickup.
Transfer to the Substrate
The pad then moves and presses down onto the part being printed. As it deforms around the object’s surface, it transfers the ink evenly and precisely onto the item, regardless of any curves, angles, or textures.
Curing or Drying (Optional)
Depending on the ink formulation and material, the printed part may need to go through a curing process. This can involve air drying, heat curing, or UV curing. The correct method ensures strong adhesion and long-lasting print quality.
Applications for Pad Printing Machines
Our pad printing equipment is used across a variety of sectors:
- Medical – syringes, caps, surgical instruments
- Consumer goods – cosmetic lids, personal care items
- Automotive – dashboard controls, interior trim
- Electronics – switches, housings, circuit components
- Promotional products – pens, keyrings, novelty items
Why Choose PBE for Your Pad Printing Equipment?
- Expert guidance on pad printing setups, including pads, clichés, and ink selection
- In-house testing and trials to validate materials, print quality, and curing
- A full range of consumables, including silicone pads, cliché plates, inks, and accessories
- Ongoing servicing and preventative maintenance to keep your machines running at their best
- Refurbishment options for older equipment
- Flexible finance packages to support investment in new machinery
Start Your Pad Printing Project Today
Every project begins with understanding your product, artwork, material, and production goals. From there, we offer a tailored proposal that includes machine recommendations, sample testing, and estimated cost-per-print figures.
We also offer finance options, servicing, and refurbishment support, so you can keep your operations running efficiently long after installation.
Get in touch today to speak with one of our pad printing specialists.
Any questions?
Let's talk!
+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.