How to Improve Your Pad Printing…

Some Great Pad Printing Plate Options

One of the advantages of being in business for over fifty years is that we’ve seen a lot of changes in the world of flexo, and pad printing is no exception.

For those not in the know, pad printing is like a versatile version of screen printing that is used to transfer 2D images onto 3D objects. As the name suggests, pad printing involves transferring ink from a silicone pad to the object you want printed, similar to using a rubber stamp. Using a machine that holds both the pad and the promotional product steady, the pad is pressed into an inked plate etched into the shape of your desired artwork. The pad is then pressed into the actual object, creating a crisp printed image.

Improvements in technology and advancements in flexo plate materials have significantly improved the quality of pad printing in recent years. To further enhance the quality of pad printing, plate manufacturers continue to develop new, improved recipes of photopolymer plates. Flint Group is the largest global supplier of both flexographic and pad printing plates. The following is a summary of Flint Group flexo plates for pad printing.

nyloprint® DLE 30 S

This is a direct engravable printing plate offering the highest print quality. You get the benefits of direct laser engraving, including fast, efficient and consistent plate processing, with exceptional printing performance. Ideal for industrial and promotional products, nyloprint® DLE 30 S is suitable for jobs up to 30,000 impressions. This plate is reliable and reusable for repeat orders, offers excellent solid density and screen ruling to 305 lpi (120 L/cm).

nyloprint® S

Ideal for printing on promotional and industrial products, this alcohol-washable gravure plate delivers high print quality with screen ruling up to 305 lpi (120 L/cm). nyloprint® S is productive and cost effective with fast plate processing, a wide exposure latitude and is suitable for jobs up to 30,000 impressions.

nyloprint® ST

Offers the highest print quality with resolution up to 10.160 dpi and screen ruling up to 380 lpi (150 L/cm). nyloprint® ST is an alcohol-washable gravure plate offering very the best durability for long print runs due to optimized relief formulation. This is an efficient plate with fast plate processing, a wide exposure latitude and is suitable for jobs greater than 30,000 impressions.

nyloprint® WS and WS Digital

This water-washable, steel-based letterpress printing plate offers brilliant print quality. nyloprint® WS and WS Digital are ideal for a broad range of applications including printing laminated tubes, cups and cans, continuous business forms, security printing, label printing, and female die for blind embossing. Print quality is exceptional with high resolution, smooth vignettes, high print contrast with exceptional tonal range, and brilliant halftone gradations due to very fine halftone dots (< 20 micron).

nyloprint® WSA and WSA Digital

This water-washable gravure plate provides the highest print quality with resolution up to 10.160 dpi, screen ruling up to 380 lpi (150 L/cm), and excellent solid density. nyloprint® WSA and WSA Digital has very good durability for long print runs due to optimizes relief formulation and is suitable for pad printing jobs with over 20,000 impressions.

Pad printing plates from Flint Group have been instrumental in meeting the ever-increasing demands of the marketplace. The selection of materials can sometimes be confusing, so if this summary doesn’t address your questions, feel free to contact our Technologies Team at Anderson & Vreeland.