tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37206812234582366472011-07-31T03:42:32.493-04:00Our Logohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160361796968766796noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3720681223458236647.post-67098359226954415742010-05-10T16:26:00.003-04:002010-05-10T16:37:51.611-04:00<strong>Introduction to the Pad Printing Process</strong><br />Pad printing is perhaps best described as a specialized printing process that will transfer a two dimensional image onto a three dimensional object. This printing task is accomplished by using an indirect offset printing process that involves an image being transferred from the printing plate via a silicone pad onto a substrate (the surface to be printed). Pad printing is used for printing on otherwise difficult or impossible products in many industries including medical, automotive and electronics.<br /><br />Physical changes within the ink film both on the printing plate and on the pad allow it to leave the etched image area to instead adhere to the pad, and to then release from the pad in favor of adhering to the substrate. The properties of the silicone pad allow it to pick the image up from a flat plane and transfer it to a variety of surfaces on a variety of different products.<br /><br />The cliché or printing plate is manufactured through a special photo-etching process and is available in a number of different sizes and materials. The most commonly used steel cliché has a life expectancy of over one million cycles. Other temporary cliché materials can be used for shorter production runs and can even be manufactured on site. The choice between using steel or temporary clichés is based on volume and print quality considerations.<br /><br />Transfer pad printing is seen as an indirect gravure printing process since, like gravure printing, it employs an etched plate. The plate does not come in direct contact with the substrate. Instead, the image is transferred to the surface by means of the pad.<br /><br /><strong>A Short History of Pad Printing</strong><br />Primitive forms of pad printing have existed for many hundreds of years. It was not until the 20th century that the technology became suitable for widespread use. New developments in the late 60s and early 70s, such as silicone pads and more advanced equipment, made the pad printing method far more practical. Being able to print on previously unprintable surfaces empowered engineers and designers in many different industries, as a result pad printing made a huge impact on the mass production marketplace.<br /><br /><strong>Commercial Medical and Electronic Pad Printing Services</strong><br />Learn how we can help you with your <a href="http://www.pad-printing.com/pad-printing-services.aspx">commercial pad printing</a> medical and electronic needs.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3720681223458236647-6709835922695441574?l=padprintingtechnology.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Our Logohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160361796968766796noreply@blogger.com0