Design For Print : Pad Printing

Pad printing is a printing process that can transfer a 2-D image onto a 3-D object. This is accomplished using an indirect offset (gravure) printing process that involves an image being transferred from the printing plate via a silicone pad onto a substrate. Pad printing is used for printing on otherwise impossible products in many industries including medical, automotive, apparel, electronics and appliances. It can also be used to deposit functional materials such as conductive inks, adhesives, dyes and lubricants.

Physical changes within the ink film both on the plate and on the pad allow it to leave the etched image area in favour of adhering to the pad, and to subsequently release from the pad in favour of adhering to the substrate. The unique properties of the silicone pad enable it to pick the image up from a flat plane and transfer it to a variety of surfaces (e.g flat, cylindrical, spherical, compound angles, textures, concave surfaces, convex surfaces).