Pad printing

Tampon printing, also known as pad printing, is a process based on the principle of indirect intaglio printing and has developed into one of the most important processes for printing plastic parts.

In this process, a printing plate carries the image to be printed in its surface, with the image lying deeper. A doctor blade distributes the printing ink in the deeper-lying image and cleans the remaining surface of the plate.

After doctoring, an elastic printing pad moves over the plate and picks up the excess ink through a lifting movement. The pad then transfers the ink indirectly onto the plastic part, creating the print.