Choosing and Manufacturing Pad Printing Plates

A plate prepared for the image and target production volume is one of the key elements of excellent pad printing. Artwork preparation, plate material, engraving method and depth all influence the result.

Plate types

• Polymer: Fast and economical; used for high-quality short- and medium-run production.
• Thin steel: Common in magnetic sealed ink cup systems and longer lasting than polymer.
• Laser: Can be prepared without film or chemical processing.
• Thick steel: Durable for high-speed, high-volume production.
• Ceramic: Laser-engraved from a high-hardness material.

Manufacturing process

The artwork is prepared for printing, the correct plate material is selected, the image is engraved by the appropriate method and pre-production checks are completed. Plate selection should consider not only price but also target quantity, machine type, ink cup system, print precision and maintenance conditions.