Pad printing can be used with semi-automatic machines in low circulations. This printing can be done with two types of manual or desktop pad printing and two-color pad printing. Considering that pad printing does not require many facilities and high costs of printing, it is used in many cases of printing in industry and advertising gifts. This type of printing is used to print round and curved products. One of the features of pad printing is the printing of all surfaces of different types and shapes, such as flat, round, curved and convex surfaces.
History
Since the late 1960s, the old printing method used in industries has achieved significant success. This printing was designed for newer and wider uses, and with the help of silicone pads and the construction of new devices, it went through a growing movement. By increasing the amount of work, the manufacturers of pad printing machines solved the market’s need for all kinds of printing and decorations in a simple and cheap way. pad printing provides the possibility of new designs for engineers and designers, and as a result, a more attractive and practical product is offered.
The transfer of printing is done by a rubber that is made of silicone and is called a pad.
This printing is used in many industries such as medicine, automation, electronics and equipment, sports equipment and toys. Conductive compounds, types of adhesives, paints and oils can also be used in. Physical changes occur in the composite layer on the cliche and pad, causing the printed gravure image to stick to the pad and then transfer to another layer (printing surface). The silicone pad has unique properties that allow the image to be lifted from the flat surface and transferred to a variety of surfaces (such as flat, cylindrical, circular, compound angles, textures, concave and convex surfaces).
In this printing method, the pad is pressed on the product, for this reason, a fixture (mold) is usually made for the products; For example, to print a glass, the inside of the glass is first filled with fixtures so that the shape of the product is not damaged by the pressure of the pad. The uses of this printing are disposable dishes, printing on pens, cosmetic products, industrial parts, stationery, sports equipment, car parts, key chains and many other cases. Pad printing consists of three parts:
- Designing and making stereotypes
First, the desired design is designed in the graphic environment of Photoshop and then it is printed on paper or lithographic film is prepared.
Printed pad
Pads are usually three-dimensional and are made with a silicone rubber mold. These pads are a tool for transferring the compound from the printing surface and transferring it to the final surface. The shapes and hardness of these pads are different depending on their uses and there are three general categories for all types of pads: round pads, narrow and long pads, rod pads and various shapes (compound, triangle, etc.). You can also prepare pads with shapes suitable for your use in special cases.
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