Pad Printing is the standard system used to brand promotional products.
Fresh Promotions uses only the latest pad printing technology and pre-press printing systems to ensure the best possible result. If you want a specific pms colour or multiple colour finish on your products, pad printing is most likely the best system to use.

Before proceeding with a job you will receive an electronic proof by email showing the position and size of the print.

How Does Pad Printing Work?
Pad Printing is a process of decorating objects and is the best option when the item being printed has an irregular surface or variable texture. A good example of this is one of the most popularly printed items.... golf balls. The golf balls are tricky to print because they have a dimpled finish and have a round shape.

Elements In Successful Pad Printing
With pad printing of Promotional Products there are three major components: pad, ink and image plate. The plate is made of a hard polymer or steel. The design to be printed is etched into the plate. This etching then acts as a reservoir for the ink. A silicone rubber pad is then pressed mechanically against the printing plate. The pad picks up the ink from the plate and transfers it to the object being printed by pressing against it. The silicone pad is designed to allow the ink to stick to the pad only long enough to be transferred and then be released when it touches the promotional item.

With golf balls, for instance, the flexibility of the pad allows it to print through the stippled pattern on the ball surface and also curve with the shape of the ball.

The Options Available Using Pad Printing
Pad printing is a versatile system of promotional branding. It can be used on a wide range of different products and materials while providing a wide range of effects and colour combinations. It is no surprise that pad printing is one of the most popular systems of branding for promotional items.

The basic approach to using a pad printing machine depends upon the item being printed. With promotional pens if the set up is right the pens can be fed through on a conveyor system and printed one over 5 seconds. The time and cost involved in the operation is accrued setting up the machinery and producing the plates, images and ink which are required for the process. For instance, if you were branding a promotional coffee mug the best approach would be to go for a simple design which was optimised to take advantage of the image area available. On promotional compendiums and conference bags pad printing is effective in producing subtle but accurate branding at an economical price.

Return to Promotional Products guidance page