Welcome to the Tampoprint Learning Center
The purpose of this page to show you how pad printing works, and to answer some frequently asked questions.
How Pad Printing Works
Click on the link below to see animation of how various types of pad printing systems facilitate the transfer of the image from the cliche (plate) to the part.
View Functional Principles
You can also look at the following six illustrations and read the descriptions below.
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Home
When in the home position the pad is located above the object to be printed, and the ink cup is located directly over the recessed image area in the cliche. The recessed image area is only microns (millionths of a meter) in depth.
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Doctor Out
As the cliche actuates out from under the ink cup, (or in some machines the ink cup actuates over the surface of the cliche) the sharp edge of the ink cup (commonly referred to as the doctor ring) cleans (doctors) the surface of the cliche clean, leaving ink only in the shallow image area. Once the ink is exposed to the air, solvents immediately begin to evaporate, causing physical changes (increase in surface energy) in the ink making it "tacky" on the surface.
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Pick-Up
The pad is evenly compressed onto the surface of the cliche and then lifted away. The physical changes that occured in the ink film as a result of solvent evaporation allow the ink film to leave the cliche and adhere to the silicone transfer pad.
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Doctor In
As the cliche actuates back to it's original position (or in some machines the ink cup actuates forward over the recessed image area) the outside layer of ink (which used to be the bottom layer when the ink was in the cliche) continues to undergo physical changes, ideally becoming a cohesive layer, tacky on the outside surface.
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Transfer
The pad is compressed onto the surface of the object to transfer the image. Even though the pad is compressed considerably during this step, the contour of the pad is designed to roll out onto the object rather than compress flat against it. This enables the pad to evacuate all of the air from between the ink film and the object as the image is tranferred. Because the pad is made of silicone, the ink layer wants to leave the surface of the pad and adhere to pretty much any object that has a higher surface energy than silicone.
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Return
The pad returns back to the Home position. When all of the variables in the process are correctly controlled, all of the ink will have released from the pad during image transfer, and the pad will be ready for the next print cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pad printing may seem a bit overwhelming to the uninitiated, but don’t worry. Think of us as an extension of your engineering department. Our job is to make your job easier, not harder. Here a few "frequently asked questions" and their respective "frequently given answers".
What is pad printing?
Pad printing is a wet-ink film transfer printing process. It is also known as tampography or tampo printing.
The process was invented for printing finely detailed images directly onto three-dimensional objects, where-
as other printing processes are generally limited to printing only onto flat objects.
What do I need in order to pad print?
In order to pad print you need the following things:
pad printing machine
cliche’ (printing plate) with image engraved into surface
pad printing ink
transfer pad
something to print onto (object)
fixture (to hold the object in location for printing)
How do I get the image onto the cliche?
You start with a properly formatted, digital file of the artwork. That file is then opened or imported into a
graphic program such as Adobe Illustrator or CorelDraw.
The file may be used to directly engrave the cliche using a laser, or it may be output to an indirect carrier (film) for use in exposing the cliche (using U.V. light) for either photoengraving or chemical etching.
What type of cliche is right for my application?
The choice of cliche type depends on several variables, however the main consideration is based on the
number of imprints you need to obtain from a given cliche. For example, one type of photopolymer cliche
might be expected to yield a maximum of 15,000 impressions, whereas a ceramic cliche could yield several
million impressions.
Cost is normally the secondary consideration in choosing a cliche. If you need to print lots of different
impressions or have low volume production runs (under 100,000 parts) you will most likely find that either a
photopolymer or lower durability laser engraved cliche more cost effective. If you need to print the same
image every day or have high volume production runs (100,000 to several million) you will most likely find
that a ceramic or steel cliche to be the most cost effective.
Ask us. We can point you in the right direction and / or supply you with whatever you need for cliches.
How do I know what type of ink to use?
Use an ink specifically formulated for pad printing. These inks will be either conventional, solvent-based or
U.V. (ultraviolet curable). Water based ink or paints will not work in the pad printing process, and screen-
printing inks or solvent based paints will not yield sufficient coverage.
There are many different types of pad printing ink. The best way to identify the correct ink is to send us
physical samples of your parts for testing. Our full-service applications lab will evaluate your parts and
test print them for free (assuming you don’t mind us simply printing our logo for the sample). We can then
recommend the right ink, additives and pre- and post-treatment processes for your application.
How do I know what type of pad to use?
Pads come in all shapes, sizes, colors and degrees of hardness. There are numerous variables involved
when it comes to choosing the right one. The best way to identify the correct ink is to send us
physical samples of your parts for testing. Our full-service applications lab will evaluate your parts and
test print them for free using an assortment of pads, and considering the model of machine you have, the
geometry and surface characteristics of your part, your artwork, and other factors.
What about fixturing?
Fixturing (also called nesting, nesting fixtures or “jigs”) is very important. If you cannot hold your object firmly
in location, at the correct angle, and with the right amount of support, you cannot successfully print it. We
strongly recommend that if you’re just starting out you allow us to design and manufacture your first several
sets of fixtures. That way you can see what is necessary to do it correctly. After that, you can elect to either
stay with TAMPOPRINT fixtures, make them yourself, or find a machinist locally.
What about training?
Training is extremely important. You can obtain training in our Vero Beach, Florida facility at no charge, or
you can have a technician train your personnel in your facility for $ 720.00 per day, plus travel expenses.
(Weekends and holidays are additional). In certain circumstances the costs for having a technician visit you
are negotiable.
What are your terms?
Our terms for standard pad printing machines are 75% down with a written purchase order, and 25% NET
30 with approved credit. You can obtain a credit application by contacting us at 800-810-8896 or via the
Contact Us link on the website and asking that one be faxed or e-mail to you.
We do not provide financing or payment plans. New customers that cannot obtain credit may use a credit
card until such time as they establish themselves with TAMPOPRINT.
Terms for automation are different, and are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Where are your machines made?
TAMPOPRINT pad printing equipment is MADE in GERMANY. They include a one year warranty on all
mechanical parts, and six month warranty on electrical and pneumatic components. Extended warranties
and service plans are available.
What about TAMPOPRINT?
The founder of TAMPOPRINT, Mr. Wilfried Philipp, invented the modern pad printing process. His first
machine was presented in 1970. TAMPOPRINT first came to the United States in 1974. TAMPOPRINT
International Corporation was founded as a subsidiary of TAMPOPRINT, Germany in 1994.
How many pad printers does TAMPOPRINT have installed worldwide?
TAMPOPRINT has nearly 200,000 machines installed worldwide.
Why should I buy from TAMPOPRINT?
