Pad printing is a versatile and innovative printing technique that allows us to bring your designs to life on a variety of surfaces and curved or irregular shapes. Here’s what you need to know about this printing solution.
What Is Pad Printing?
Pad printing is a printing technique used to transfer a 2D image onto a 3D object. The technique involves using a silicone pad to pick up ink from an etched plate and transferring the ink onto the surface of the object.
The pad printing method is a great option for printing on irregular or curved surfaces, including tumblers, balls, trophies, and more.
How It Works
Let’s walk through the pad printing process step-by-step so you have a better idea of what our team is doing to create your branded merchandise.
- The process starts by transferring a design, such as your logo, onto an etched steel plate (known as a cliche).
- Then, ink is applied to the plate to fill in the etched design.
- The silicone pad presses onto the pad print plate, transferring the inked design from the plate to the pad.
- The pad print machine then moves to your object, such as a mug, and presses down. In doing so, the ink transfers from the pad to the surface of the object.
- Then the ink is cured using heat or UV light, making the object safe to use.
Key Advantages of Pad Printing
In the promotional products world, this print technique offers versatility, quality, and a cost-effective option for our customers.
Versatility
Pad printing is an incredibly versatile option. This technique works on curved and rounded surfaces and is a great option for plastic, metal, and glass objects.
Quality
Assuming you’re starting with high-resolution artwork, this method can produce very high-quality results. It’s great for fine and intricate details and is consistent across large production runs.
Speed
Because pad printing allows you to print on a variety of surfaces and can handle bulk production, there’s minimal need for switching between multiple set-ups. Oftentimes, this means the printing process is more efficient and you get your branded merchandise faster.
Cost-Effective
Not having to change set-ups or switch out inks and plates saves you money on labor and materials, making pad printing a cost-effective printing solution.
Great Products for Pad Printing
As noted, pad printing is incredibly versatile and a great printing option for rounded and cylindrical promotional products. Here are a few examples where we might utilize pad printing in the production process:
- Pens
- Rulers
- Calculators
- Keychains
- Buttons
- Magnets
- Hand sanitizer bottles
- Mugs
- Water bottles
- Tumblers
- Lip balm
- USB drives
- Phone stands
- Chargers
- Golf balls
- Stress balls
- And more!
Design Considerations
To ensure success with pad printing keep your colors, complexity, and resolution in mind.
Color
Pad printing typically supports a maximum of four colors. We recommend you focus on solid colors and high-contrast designs to ensure your prints are clear and crisp.
Due to the color limitations, it’s also best to avoid gradients and complex bending that may not reproduce well on various objects.
Texture & Shape
Depending on the texture and shape of the branded merchandise you choose, your design can look different on the item than it does on a computer screen.
We’ll provide proofs and sample items so you can get an idea of what to expect, but be prepared for some slight variation.
Image Size & Resolution
For best results, your artwork should be a high resolution. Typically, a resolution of 300 DPI (dots per inch) works well for most objects and materials.
Bring Your Design to Life with Strategies Ltd.
Our team is here to help you bring your vision to life. With high-quality promotional products and graphic design services, we’ll help you find the right branded merchandise and printing techniques to make sure your design really stands out.
Ready to get started?
