Getting the perfect print starts with finding the perfect pad printing ink. Inkcups provides step by step guidance through the process of finding the perfect solvent-based ink. Our inks are thoroughly tested to ensure the best adhesion to your substrates. For more information on our Sapphire® Ink Series, check out our pad printing inks.
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Over the past few decades, pad printing has spiked in popularity for use on promotional items and apparel. The pad printing process, sometimes referred to as tampography, transfers a 2-dimensional design onto a 3-dimensional object. It has gained popularity for printing onto objects that would otherwise be difficult due to their irregular shape. To start printing, an image must be etched into a cliché, or plate. Then, the etched plate, ink cup full of ink, and pad must be properly configured on the pad printing machine. The ink cup moves across the etched cliché and fills the etch with the ink. The ring will then doctor or remove the excess ink from the etch. The silicone pad then presses down onto the ink, picks it up, and transfers the image onto the substrate. Now, the 2D image that was etched into the plate is featured as artwork on a 3D product. For every new design, a new plate must be etched. Additionally, for every color added into the design, a new plate must be etched. For example, a 4-color logo would require 4 plates (clichés) to be etched.
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Check out this infographic on pad printingGetting the perfect print starts with finding the perfect pad printing ink. Whether you’re printing onto glass cups, fidget spinners, pens, or any other product, there is an ink that’s right for every substrate. Our solvent-based pad printing ink is made from a mixture of proprietary binders, resins and pigments. The color comes from the powdered pigments which are triple milled to be very fine and of high quality. Typical solvent-based pad printing and screen-printing inks are either 1-or 2-component inks. A 1-component ink refers to ink that only needs to be mixed with one component, solvent. Typically, about 15% of the weight of the ink is added in solvent. A 2-component ink may be the same ink, but it also accepts a hardener. There are different ratios of hardener needed depending on the type of ink, but typically 10% of the weight of the ink should be added as hardener. The ink mixing process is simple yet vital to the overall print quality.
What to consider when choosing the correct pad printing ink
How Inkcups helps you to find the right pad printing ink
Pad printing inks for any SubstrateAs the name suggests, solvent-based inks require a solvent additive to prepare the ink for the printing process. Different chemistry for solvents contributes to different evaporation rates, from very fast to very slow. Each solvent has a unique evaporation rate and ink series it is intended to be used with. During the pad printing process, the solvent itself evaporates out of the ink mixture, making the ink tacky. As the ink tacks up, it can be released from the silicone pad onto the substrate. We offer 11 different pad printing solvents for use with their respective ink lines. For example, our S3 Retarder Solvent can be used with either the BA, BT, CG, J3, MB, SB, or PN series ink, while our G solvent is designed to be used only with the SB series ink. The solvent you choose should satisfy your evaporation requirements and work with the ink series that’s best for your product.
Pad Printing SolventsHardener, otherwise known as a catalyst, ultimately results in a harder, more abrasion resistant surface. This clear additive hardens the ink that is left over after the solvent evaporates, which allows the ink to adhere better to the surface. Ultimately, hardeners enhance image durability, ensuring that customers get to enjoy high quality, long-lasting designs. Just like with our solvents, each hardener is specially formulated to work with a corresponding ink series. Different inks and applications require different ink-to-hardener ratios. This can vary from not adding hardener at all to adding around 25% of the weight of ink in hardener. The only downside to using hardeners is that the pot life of the ink decreases to a maximum of 8 hours rather than up to 48 hours.
Pad Printing HardenersFinding the right ink can be tricky. When deciding which ink to use, it is first important to understand the composition of your substrate. If you are unsure of what your substrate is made of, the technicians at Inkcups can figure it out for you. Adhesion testing should always be the next step after ink applications to ensure you are using the correct pad printing ink. There are many variables that affect adhesion and there is no ink that works on all surfaces. But, the substrate is not the only factor that goes into the decision. We must also take into consideration the abrasion resistance required by the manufacturer as well as if there’s any external coating on the object in question.
How Inkcups Helps You Find the Right Pad Printing InkSilicone ink is a screen printing or pad printing ink solely used for printing on silicone. Silicone is a difficult substrate for ink to adhere to due to its unique properties. The only material that will adhere to silicone is silicone. Therefore, silicone ink is comprised mostly of silicone. The SI Series is a 2-component ink that requires curing. Once the ink is fully cured, it can be stretched, bent, and heated just like the silicone object it adhered to.
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Learn more about Silicone InkBefore adhesion testing takes place, the samples should sit for 24 hours to ensure the ink is completely dry. If the ink is being air-dried and hardener has been used, the ink can take up to 5-6 days to fully dry. The hardener will continue to get harder and harder over time. This process can be sped up using heat, typically with a tunnel dryer. The dry speed depends on the ink and substrate. On average, it should take about 10-15 minutes for ink to finish drying in a tunnel drier. Although the ink itself becomes “touch-dry” within 20 seconds, the ink is not completely set until the drying process is complete.
Color-matching is a process in which a Pantone color, wet sample or substrate is matched and developed into a corresponding pad printing ink. If a customer would like an ink color other than one of our pre-made shades, they can request the specific Pantone number and/or name. Or, they can send in a wet sample or substrate that we identify and match the color of. The advanced technological tools in our in-house color matching lab accurately calculates the ratios of our pre-made Harmony Mixing Series needed for a perfect color match. These ratios of the mixing colors to weights of each ink can be repeated to produce the same color every time. We use the Pantone Matching System (PMS) because it is the standard color-matching guide around the world.
Learn more about our color matching servicesFollowing ASTM industry standards, the abrasion resistance of every sample is tested with crosshatch and tape tests. Additionally, glass and ceramics can be tested in a commercial and/or residential dishwasher to simulate real-world wear and tear.
Learn more about our adhesion testingDepending on the type of product you are using, there are certain compliance certifications you will want to look for. However, there are standard testing requirements that pad printing inks should comply with. Each ink passes all major Restricted Substances List (RSL) and lab tests. Every company has their own RSL that corresponds with their production standards. Most companies list the restriction of harmful substances such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and phthalates. For instance, the MB and J3 series are Class IV certified, meaning they meet strict medical safety standards and can be applied to devices implanted into the human body. In addition to initial testing, as of 2008 The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) requires periodic testing of inks once a year. This standard testing protocol includes testing every shade of ink and compiling a comprehensive ink report. This testing confirms the absence of phthalates and lead and confirms we are complying with all industry regulations. It is important that all products are deemed safe for use, specifically for children.
Eco Passport by Oeko-Tex® is an independent testing and certification system for chemicals, colorants and auxiliaries used to manufacture textiles. This testing protocol is specific for textiles designed to be in contact with human skin. The SB ink series is mainly used for tagless printing on apparel. Since these tags are touching skin for prolonged periods of time on a daily basis, it is essential that there is no exposure to harmful chemicals.
Find pad printing ink compliance documentsFor more information on our pad printing inks, check out the Pad Printing Ink Overview on our blog.
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