The main goal of pad printing is to have just the right amount of ink so that it is all released on the substrate and there is no build up on the pad. If the etch is too deep, the silicone ink will spread, compromising the print quality. The artwork should also have a shallower etch so that the ink does not splash when laid onto the silicone item. As for printing plates, the recommendation is to use laser plates over polymer plates as it will yield fewer streaks in the artwork. For example, a 2” x 2” square costs about $.03 in ink. Pad printing supplies include the printing machine as well as pads, plates, inks, and ink cups, which are small and easy to store. The amount of time and temperature required for curing depends on the ink you are using. Any discoloration or “fuzzy” looking areas are definitive signs it’s time to replace the pad. The article when to change a pad printing pad includes tell-tale signs it’s time to purchase new pads, as well as tips and recommendations by the experts at Inkcups.
In order to print high-quality images, the pad must be cleaned every few prints since the silicone ink will start to stick to the silicone pad. Since silicone requires heat to dry, the ink will remain wet until it is properly cured.
Silkscreen vs screen print registration#
Additionally, ensuring the registration is exact is also important with a two-color print. If your artwork requires two colors, you will have to cure your product after each color is printed. Since silicone needs to be cured after printing, only one color can be pad printed at a time. After securing it onto the pad printer, the operator is ready to start printing. They will then fill the ink cup with the ink mixture. The operator will mix the ink with a specific percentage of hardener and solvent. Pad printing silicone ink is completed like any other pad printing job.
Silkscreen vs screen print series#
These properties give both series flexibility like no other. Both are designed for durability and have a high resistance to scratching, bending and stretching. The SI-HD ink was reformulated for superior opacity compared to other inks on the market.
Inkcups offers the SI Series or the SI-HD Series, both as great options for decorating silicone products. Unlike some solvent-based inks, silicone ink requires heat to cure. The only ink that can stick to silicone is a silicone-based ink. Silicone is a unique substrate, and without getting into all the complicated chemistry behind it, UV curable ink and regular solvent-based inks will not adhere to silicone, so a specialty ink must be used. The article the idiosyncrasies of printing silicone products explains how the process differs from printing with solvent-based ink in terms of pad size, pad cleaning, and depth of plate etch. At this point, you’re probably wondering what the difference is between standard pad printing ink and silicone ink. Silicone ink is designed to be used for both pad printing and screen printing. Workflow Assistance & Inkjet Linearization.
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