Selecting the right pad printing ink is one of the most important decisions in any printing project. The ink you choose affects durability, quality, production and ultimately the success of your finished product.

 

With so many different substrates and different performance requirements, choosing the correct pad printing ink can seem overwhelming. However, by evaluating a few key factors, manufacturers can identify the right ink system for their application and achieve consistent, long-lasting results. The best ink is the one that matches the substrate and the end-use requirements of the product.

 

Start with the Substrate

 

The first consideration and the most important factor in ink selection is identifying the material being printed. Different substrates have unique surface energies and chemical compositions that affect ink adhesion.

 

Some common pad printing substrates include:

 

  • Polypropylene (PP)
  • Polyethylene (PE)
  • Polycarbonate (PC)
  • ABS
  • Acrylic
  • Nylon
  • Glass
  • Metal
  • Silicone
  • Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)
  • Coated surfaces

 

Check out our ink application chart to see which inks are suitable for which substrates.

 

Evaluate Performance Requirements

 

The next step is thinking about how the printed product will be used. Ask yourself the following questions: Will the product experience abrasion? Will the product be exposed to chemicals? Will the product be used outdoors or in harsh conditions? Are there regulatory requirements?

 

Boston Industrial Solutions’ pad printing inks deliver superior scratch and abrasion resistance. Our inks are resistant to alcohol, cleaning agents, and other chemicals which is particularly important in medical, automotive, and industrial applications. Our inks have excellent weather resistance making them suitable for outdoor use applications. All our inks are safety compliant with international safety standards. When printing on medical devices, food-contact products, children’s toys, and consumer electronics, this is a crucial requirement.

 

Consider Ink Chemistry

 

Pad printing inks are available in several formulations – each offering different performance characteristics.

 

1-Component Inks

1-component inks are easy to use and ideal for general-purpose applications. The benefits of using 1-component ink include: simple mixing, fast set up, and cost-effective production. These inks are commonly used when extreme chemical or abrasion resistance is not required.

 

2-Component Inks

2-component inks use a hardener that chemically crosslinks with the ink. By adding a hardener, you will achieve superior adhesion, greater durability, improved chemical resistance, and increased abrasion resistance. These inks are often selected for demanding industrial and medical applications.

 

UV-Curable Inks

UV ink cures instantly when exposed to ultraviolet light. The benefits of using our UV inks are extremely fast production speed, excellent print definition, reduced solvent emissions, and high productivity. These inks are commonly used in high-volume manufacturing environments.

 

Determine Color Requirements

 

When it comes to color performance, you will need to determine a few things.

 

Are you printing the ink on a dark substrate? If so, dark-colored substrates require highly opaque inks to achieve vibrancy and maintain color consistency. Boston Industrial Solutions high opacity pad printing inks will deliver the vibrancy and clarity needed for dark-colored substrates.

 

Does the print need to match a specific color? For branding consistency, custom color matching services are available at Boston Industrial Solutions with a less than 24-hour turnaround time. With the Boston Color System, we can ensure color consistency across products and production runs.

 

Don’t Overlook Surface Preparation

 

Even the best ink may fail if the substrate surface is not properly prepared. Before printing, you should make sure the surface is clean, and if necessary, prime it with an adhesion promoter.

 

Boston Industrial Solutions offers a wide range of adhesion promoters for our inks.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Choosing the right pad printing ink is about more than just selecting a color. You need to choose the ink system that is compatible with your substrate, meets your product’s performance expectations and supports your production goals.

 

At Boston Industrial Solutions, our technical experts help customers identify the best pad printing ink for their specific application. From plastics, metals, glass and silicone to carbon fiber, leather, EVA foam and specialty substrates, we provide high-performance ink solutions so you can achieve the best possible adhesion, durability and print quality.