Pad Printing

The pad printing is a method which transfers a 2 dimensional text or an image onto the 3 dimensional substrates (cups, plates, furniture, surgical instruments, etc.). In fact, the pad printing totally revolutionised the flexibility and the cost of otherwise impossible to print objects. Almost every part of our life is surrounded by pad printed products. Partially, this is caused by advertising but mostly by the need to inform and to design.

Essentially, the pad printing uses a silicone pad which acts like a temporary transfer point for the ink. It allows to shift the image from the printing plate onto the substrate. Today, the pad printing process is extremely well developed and cost-effective. Even individuals can order customised, 3 dimensional prints.

Why Do I Need Pad Printing?

Pad printing has enormous application in the industry. Almost every product requires some sort of information and it cannot be done without the pad printing process. Although the industry swallows most of the pad printing services, there are the promotional products and custom made souvenirs which attract our attention. For the first time it is possible to advertise your company and make a personalised gift using custom made 3D prints. A lot of corporate businesses make promotional pens, cups and the stationary. Even belts and bags are objects of advertising campaigns.

Pad Printing Guide

The main variable for the successful pad printing are the pad, ink, plate and the substrate. The pad and the plate are constant items. However, the ink often has to be matched to the properties of the substrate, i.e the product to be printed on. Generally, any non-porous surface is suitable for the pad printing.

Most pad printing machines use 4 colours (in the CMYK format). However 5 and 6 colour types are also widely available. The resolution of the pad printing process is exceptionally high. Almost all shades and tones can be reproduced on the 3D objects. The real problem is to select a correct ink to the material. This often results in lengthy setups, of which cost is recovered from the customer. Thus, you should get an advice from the pad printing company what is a standard and what can lead to the excessive budget spending.

In most cases, standard plastics, metals, wood, glass and ceramics are straightforward substrates. The unusual texture of the product can also lead to costly setups. For example, printing a small logo on the golf ball is by far more expensive than setting much bigger image on the soccer ball.

Pad Printing Prices

The prices for pad printing are not high. This allows many corporate businesses to cheaply promote their services. Most pad printing contractors include the printed object in the final price. Thus, very seldom you supply the substrate. Generally, you are expected to purchase your custom printed items in larger quantities. More you order, less you pay.

You can also try promotional pad printing products. These are usually bundled into functional packages. 1000 custom pad printed pens will cost around $600. The same applies to tote bags. 1000 30cm PVC pad printed beach balls cost $3.80 each. The same amount of pad printed beach umbrellas sell for $40 per item. The "famous" golf balls with a custom logo are $8 a piece.

Pad Printing Companies

Only specialised printing contractors provide the service. Most of them advertise their services as the promotional products manufacturers. Fresh Promotions, PackMark Australia, JEM Promotional Products and Kings Speciality Print are well known Australian pad printing contractors. The prices from Australian businesses will be higher then from Indian and Chinese counterparts. However, the local service is more reliable.