Process	Pad printing (Tampon printing) Pad printing is a decorating method for irregular shapes, and for the ones which can not easily printed by silk screen (e.g.double round surfaces). Pads receive ink from a printing station and apply color to a particular area. Automatic methods, with several pads in series (transfer pad printing), can achieve cheap multicolor decoration. Manual machines are used for law production volumes. In this case multicolor prints are obtained through different steps which involve a set-up of the machine.
Danish Name	Tampon tryk
Category	Surface coatings, Printing
Typical products	Toy car Lighter Cup Glass frame
Competing processes	Silk screen
References	D & C Serigrafi, (Denmark)
Price notes	DKK/part.color 5 parts 500 10000 Smooth surfaces 150 2 0.3 Rough surfaces 150 2.3 0.45 Large (100dm2) 144/570 27/510 2/200
Price date	01-11-96
Price notes	The price is calculated for one color printing. For two color printing the operational cost is double, for three colors three times, and so on. Average operational costs are about 0.50/0.80 DKK/part.color.
Additional info	For pad printing pricing, the part's size isn't the most important factor because the process is usually used for medium-small parts. The surface condition is indeed very important because it conditions the operating time.