Pad Printing on Merchandise
Pad printing is a cost-effective choice for decorating products with one or two-colour logos. This method uses a silicone pad to transfer ink onto the product. The process involves the pad being pressed into the ink and then onto the product, making it ideal for printing on uneven or curved surfaces like drink bottles, cups, and anti-stress items.
Advantages
- Versatile Application: Perfect for printing on uneven, jagged, or curved surfaces.
- Metallic Colours: Options like gold and silver are available.
- PMS Colour Matching: Close PMS matches can be achieved on white and light-coloured items.
- Fine Detail: Produces crisp designs with details as small as 0.4mm and a minimum text size of 5pt.
Limitations
- Limited to 1-2 Colours: Best suited for simple designs with minimal colours.
- Small Branding Areas: Curved surfaces have restricted print areas.
- No Personalisation: Variable data, such as individual names, can’t be printed.
- Colour Challenges on Dark Items: PMS colour matches are difficult on dark products and work best with a white base.
- Slower Drying: Pad printing inks take longer to cure compared to other methods.
- Setup Fee per Colour: Each colour requires a separate setup fee.
Artwork Requirements
- File Format: Editable vector files (EPS, Ai, or PDF) are required.
- Font Guidelines: Convert fonts to outlines/objects to avoid font conflicts.