Applications in pad printing

With pad printing, you can print on almost any type of substrate. Of all the printing techniques, pad printing is one of the most versatile when it comes to printing on difficult-to-shape substrates.

The list of applications is just a selection of the many possible uses. This overview is intended to show you what is possible with pad printing, among other things. This allows you to combine pad printing with your own application.

What can pad printing do?

Continuously developed and improved, pad printing meets the highest demands with compelling unique selling points and has already established itself as a recognized gravure printing process. Pad printing impresses with its versatile applications on a wide variety of substrates. The typical print image with rich colors is also a reason why this process is used so successfully in decoration, labeling, and marking.

The advantage of pad printing over other printing processes is that it can be printed right up to the edge, or the motif can be placed deeper on the printed material, for example.

Likewise, concave and convex shapes can be printed using pad printing thanks to the elasticity of the silicone.

Pad printing uses a cliché, similar to gravure printing, into which a motif is washed or etched onto the surface. The ink is first coated with ink by the ink dispenser and then removed with a knife, leaving the ink in the recesses. The pad then collects the ink from the cliché and transfers the image motif to the printed material. The pad transfers the motif precisely to the printing material because its elasticity allows it to adapt to the shape of the printing body, yet still achieves this with the utmost precision and outstanding image sharpness.

PROMOTIONAL GIFTS

Pens, USB sticks, notebooks, peppermint tins and many other items made of all kinds of materials such as plastic, wood, metal, etc. can be printed using pad printing.

PLASTICS INDUSTRY

All types of plastics can be printed. The most common are: polycarbonate (PC), acrylic (PMMA), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), etc. The variety of plastics is very large. Plastic products that can be decorated with pad printing include computers and keyboards, automotive parts, pens, hand tools, technical parts, and, for example, covers and housings for various applications across many industries.

GLASS INDUSTRY

Pad printing is an excellent way to decorate glass. The fact that the pad can adapt to the shape of the substrate makes it an ideal process for printing on round substrates such as drinking glasses or small glass bottles. Bottles are often made of glass, but can also be made of other materials that can also be printed. Other applications for glass printing include light bulbs, tube lights, eyeglass lenses, car windows, etc.

TAGLESS PRINTING

Almost all garments have a washing label in the neck or side seam. The latest technology for providing these washing instructions and branding is pad printing. This print is then placed, for example, on the neck of a T-shirt. This makes the washing label unnecessary. Hats, pants, and shoes, insoles, and lens cleaning cloths—even the EVA sole itself—can be pad printed. We can supply with Oeko-Tex certification.

AUTOMOTIVE

Take a look around your car! Many buttons on the dashboard are pad printed. The fuel cap and brake pads, for example, are also printed—many things under the hood of your car are also "colorful." Sometimes it's just for product labeling. In this industry, many different materials are printed, such as metal, glass, plastics, coated parts, etc.

MEDICAL DEVICES

Scales are frequently required in the medical industry. Catheter tubes, infusion tubes, and stoma tubes—all of these items must be printed with a suitable scale or logo.

Some of these prints must be done in a cleanroom environment. TTN has machines that can meet these requirements.

PRINTING OF TOOLS

Hand tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers, pliers, etc., as well as power tools such as drills, jigsaws, grinders, etc., are usually provided with some kind of branding or marking. Safety helmets are also an option. Furthermore, all kinds of consumables are printed. Think of jigsaw blades, saw blades, grinding wheels, etc.

COSMETICS AND CARE PRODUCTS

Nail polish bottles, shampoo bottles, perfume bottles: these are products that need to catch the consumer's eye. Furthermore, these products often feature text printed on the back using the pad printing process.

Pad printing on metal

All types of metal can be printed using the pad printing process, e.g., aluminum, steel, copper, brass, etc. Metal products include, for example, tools, technical parts, and promotional gifts.

TOY INDUSTRY

Many toys are decorated using pad printing. Many are printed in multiple colors. Think of baby doll faces, plastic and wooden building blocks, miniature cars and trains, etc. The possibilities are endless. Any type of toy can be printed. Generally, plastics and wood are decorated in this area.

SPORTING GOODS

Pad printing applications are numerous here, too. Think of golf balls, darts, ice hockey pucks, ski boots, archery arrows, bicycle parts such as chain guards, bottles, locks, bells, and, on an e-bike, the motor cover or display.

PACKAGING INDUSTRY

Cardboard boxes, plastic bags, wooden or metal crates can often be printed using pad printing. Anything with just packaging can be printed and enhanced with a beautiful logo or text. When it comes to smaller packages or prints, pad printing can be an excellent alternative.