How Does Pad Printing Work?

Pad printing refers to a process that transfers an image onto a three-dimensional object. This technology is used in many industries, including clothing, electronic devices, sporting equipment and machinery. Printing on objects that are not flat can be challenging. This process, while not extremely complicated, requires more steps than printing on a flat surface.

When printing on a three-dimensional object, it is impossible to use a rigid printing stamp that could be used on a flat surface. The image to be transferred, however, is in a two-dimensional state. The challenge of pad printing lies in transferring a flat image onto a round, bumpy or otherwise inconvenient surface. In order to accomplish this, pad printing uses a three-step process.

The first step in pad printing is etching a design into a printing plate. This design will be the image that will eventually end up on the three-dimensional object. The printing plate, which is typically made of steel, is then covered with an ink cup. The ink cup is sealed to keep air out, to prevent the ink from drying prematurely. As the ink is placed on the design, it fills up the etched design area. Once the design is filled with ink, the ink cup moves away, taking all the ink that is not in the etched lines of the design. The ink that remains, now exposed to the air, becomes sticky.

Second, a transfer pad made of silicone is placed upon the printing plate. Transfer pads can be of any shape or size to accommodate different sizes and shapes of designs. The transfer pad is pressed onto the printing plate, causing it to pick up the ink, which remains in the required design.

Finally, the transfer pad, with the ink in the shape of the desired design, presses on the three-dimensional object. Because the transfer pad is silicone and flexible, it is able to conform to any shape in order to transfer the design onto surfaces of any shape without affecting the design.