What is Pad Printing?

Pad printing is one of the special printing methodsto transfer the color and image that you wanted on surfaces. The process of pad printing is the most versatile of all printing processes with its unique ability to images and text on to three-dimensional, complex surfaces. Using steel (or copper, thermoplastic plastic) gravure, using a curved surface pad printing head made of silicone rubber material, dip the ink on the gravure onto the surface of the pad printing head, and then press on the surface of the desired object to print patterns. For example, the text and patterns on the surface of mobile phones are printed in this way,and the surface printing of many electronic products, such as computer keyboards, instruments and meters, are all printed by pad printing. You can also choose pad printing method to print logo on your die casting parts. The theory behind the pad printing process evolved from the screen, rubber stamp and photogravure printing processes.

China Pad Printing Service Manufacturer, Supplier, Company

China die casting company Junying is dedicated to delivering one-stop services – Pad Printing Surface Treatment Service from design to assembly, create high quality production-like prototypes to high volume production line. Applied in commodity, toys, stationery, electric appliances. From our printing service, you will get a customized surface with single color pad printing & multi-color pad printing. Materials handled include plastic, metal, aluminium & zinc alloy. Pad printing for die casting parts can be done flat, oval, round, concave, convex, irregular & raised shapes.

Junying is your best resource for quality die casting surface finishing. Our high-volume, rapid throughput capabilities allow us to quickly deliver flawless, expertly finished prototypes and high-volume production parts that meet the specific needs of a wide range of industrial applications. Once you are ready to start your new project, please feel free to contact with us for a free quote. Junying is happy to finish your die cast metal products with the Pad Printing that is most appropriate to your goals.

Benefits Of Pad Printing Surface Treatment Service:

Print onto complex geometries with ease.
Cost effective for both small and large scale runs.
Improved traceability – be able to track parts in the field and identify batch/lot number.
It is possible to print all kind of difficult shaped die casting products such as curved (convex), hollow (concave), cylindrical, spherical, compound angles, textures, etc.
From printing on three-dimensional plastic parts to embossed or etched surfaces or even die casting parts, pad printing can be used for a wide variety of applications.

Types of Pad Printing Services We Offer at Junying

Service Offerings of Junying’s Pad Printing

Single-Color Pad Printing: This technique applies one type of ink only to print simple logos, icons and text. It is economical to use and beneficial for branding or labeling components and parts. It works best on rigid surfaces.
Multicolor Pad Printing: More intricate graphics can now be captured with the use of two or more colors in a single design through Multicolor printing. This has greatest application in decorative and promotional items and when compliance to brand color representation is important.
High-Volume Pad Printing: Focused on peak production capacity, this service from us also delivers consistent quality across thousands of pieces. It’s perfect for large manufacturing runs or orders that are time-sensitive.
Multi-Location Pad Printing: Enables us to print onto several regions of one piece at the same time. This feature aids complex designs which require printing onto multiple surfaces or angles during a single setup.
Custom Design Printing: For prototypes to complete production runs, we assist our clients by accepting customized artwork which changes their branding or functional specifications.
Material-Compatible Printing (Plastic, Metal, Glass, etc.): Our versatility is illustrated by our capability to print on rigid materials including plastics and glasses to metals and woods using UV and conventional inks. Additionally, we can work with coated and painted surfaces.

Junying Pad Printing Applications

Medical Devices

The marking and decoration of medical devices such as surgical instruments, syringes, catheters, tubing, and other plastic or metallic components are performed using pad printing owing to its widespread adoption in the medical field. It permanently inscribes vital markings such as measurements logos and instructions on sterile materials biocompatibly—and does so surgically on plastics and metals.

Aerospace & Automotive Components

Pad printing has made a tremendous impact on the aerospace and automotive industries especially with regards to dashboards control panels housings buttons safety features knobs and MSRP. It provides strong contracts for markings that need to remain permanent through shaking or steep changes in temperature.

Commercial & Industrial Products

Marking branding indicator serial number labeling multifunctional graphics allo to be added through pad printing where embraced of power tools home appliances electronic casings all fall under commercial equipment housed under metal plastic rigid materials coated surfacen glass electronics can multicolored robotics suffices even single color finishing.

Complementary Service: Laser Marking Applications

In addition to traditional pad printing, laser marking is frequently utilized for serial numbers and barcodes as well as fine detailing which requires permanent marking on metals or durable plastics.

Benefits of Buying Pad Printing Services from Junying

Industry Expertise

Pad printing is critical in the medical, aerospace, electronics, and industrial sectors. With decades in the business, Junying has become a trusted expert in these fields.

High Precision & Versatile Printing

For logos, serials, or intricate designs, Junying offers unparalleled accuracy with both conventional and UV inks.

Fast Delivery with Reliable Scheduling

99% on-time shipment rate even for high-volume orders means that Junying ensures your project delivery exceeds expectations.

Cheap Prices with High Value

Without compromising quality, Junying makes them an excellent choice for small businesses and large-scale manufacturers seeking value-driven solutions.

High-Volume Capability

Low material loss and top-tier quality are achieved from 1.3 million parts printed per year under a <1% scrap rate.

Pad Printing FAQs

1. Pad printing vs. screen printing, what’s the Difference?

Pad printing and screen printing are both ink-transfer techniques, but they serve different purposes.

Pad printing uses a flexible silicone pad to pick up ink from an etched plate and apply it to a part—making it ideal for irregular, curved, or textured surfaces like buttons, golf balls, or medical devices.

Screen printing uses a mesh screen and stencil to apply ink directly onto flat surfaces, like t-shirts, labels, and panels. It’s better suited for larger, flat prints and is often used in textiles or signage.

2. Does pad printing last?

Yes, pad printing is durable, especially when proper inks and pre-treatment are used for the substrate. The printing pad itself typically lasts for about 100,000 impressions, though this number can drop to 50,000–75,000 when printing on hard or textured surfaces like golf balls. Lifespan also depends on the level of care and conditions during use.

3. What is the pad print process?

The pad printing process involves the following steps:

Etch the image into a printing plate (cliché).
Flood the plate with ink, then wipe away the excess, leaving ink only in the etched area.
A silicone pad presses onto the plate, picks up the inked image, and transfers it onto the object’s surface.
Ink cures through drying or UV exposure, depending on the type.

This process allows for precise image transfer even on complex, 3D surfaces.

4. What is the future of pad printing?

Pad printing continues to be highly relevant due to its versatility, precision, and adaptability to various materials and shapes. As industries like medical, aerospace, and electronics demand more customized, small-batch, and high-performance markings, pad printing remains a cost-effective, adaptable solution. Its ability to handle delicate, non-flat substrates gives it a future in non-decorative uses such as functional coatings, conductive inks, and micro-marking in next-gen manufacturing.

5. What are a pad printing machine’s limitations?

Pad printing machines have color and size limitations:

Multi-color registration (typically 2–6 colors) can be complex and may require fine-tuned calibration.
Large image sizes (over 150 mm in diameter) may exceed pad or plate capacity.
Changing artwork requires making a new plate, which can be time-consuming depending on whether it’s laser-etched or photochemically created.

Despite these, pad printing remains unmatched for curved or small detailed surfaces.

6. What affects the longevity of the printing pad in pad printing?

Several factors influence pad life:

Contaminants like dust or grit can damage the pad surface.
Improper storage or cleaning, such as using harsh chemicals, can degrade the silicone.
Misalignment or excessive pressure during operation increases wear.
Printing on rough or sharp-edged objects shortens the pad’s lifespan.

Regular maintenance, proper setup, and gentle handling are key to maximizing pad longevity.