PAD PRINTING
Pad Printing Services for 3D and Irregular Shapes
In industrial identification, not every surface is flat. When a component has compound curves, textures, or hard-to-reach recesses, standard screen printing becomes impossible. Graphie offers Industrial Pad Printing (Tampography) services designed to mark complex 3D shapes with the same precision and durability as our flat printing methods.
The process utilizes a soft, deformable silicone pad to transfer ink from an etched plate (cliché) onto the part. This flexibility allows the "stamp" to wrap around curves or reach into cavities, delivering a crisp image where no other technology can go.
Solving the "Impossible" Angles
The primary advantage of pad printing is its geometry-defying capability. We utilize this technology for two specific challenges often found in the manufacturing sector:
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Curved Surfaces: We can print distortion-free logos and text onto convex or concave surfaces. This is essential for marking cylindrical parts, control knobs, handles, and rounded machine covers.
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Restricted and Recessed Areas: This is the only viable solution for printing inside a deep component. For example, if you need to mark a logo or connection diagram on the inside bottom of a deep metal enclosure, a screen printing frame physically cannot fit inside the box. The silicone pad, however, descends vertically into the enclosure to apply the print directly to the bottom surface.
Precision on texture
Industrial parts are rarely perfectly smooth; they often feature powder-coated finishes or injection-molded textures. Pad printing is exceptionally forgiving of these irregularities. The silicone pad conforms to the texture of the material, pressing the ink into the "valleys" of the surface grain. This ensures solid ink coverage and legibility even on rough castings or textured plastics.
Industrial Ink Performance
Just like our screen printing department, our pad printing process uses high-performance industrial inks. We select the ink chemistry based on your material:
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Epoxy Inks: For metal chassis and parts requiring extreme abrasion resistance.
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Solvent Inks: For rigid plastics, ensuring a chemical bond that won't scratch off.
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Color Matching: We provide precise Pantone (PMS) color matching to ensure your branding remains consistent, whether the logo is on a flat panel or a curved handle.
