The purpose of this technical pad printing CD manual is to provide a comprehensive resource to beginners and experienced printers alike.

Peter Kiddell, a recognised world expert in the field of pad printing, has written it. Peter and his partner, Carol Swift, travel the world training and troubleshooting in pad and screen printing.

Example of Content:

Pad printing inks contain solvents.  The evaporation of the solvents from the ink is the main mechanism that enables the process to operate.  When the ink is contained within the etched image area this evaporation of solvents causes the surface of the ink to become tacky.  The shape of the pad is such that when it compresses on the plate the printing surface of the pad rolls across that plate, as it does so it comes into contact with the tacky surface of the ink.  The ink sticks to the pad, as the pad lifts that printing surface rolls away from the plate and lifts up ink from the etching.

Whilst the pad moves towards that object to be printed the solvent continues to evaporate from the ink on the pad, and the outside surface of the ink becomes tacky.  As the pad makes contact with the object and compresses the print surface of the pad rolls across the object and the tacky surface of the ink attaches itself to the surface of the object.  The pad than lifts and the printing surface of the pad rolls away from the surface of the object and releases the ink leaving it laying on the surface.  Whilst this is happening the etched portion of the plate if recharged with ink and the pad returns to pick up another image from the plate.

The rolling motion of the pad caused by its shape is important as it squeezes out the air over the plate and the ink surface.  The pad surface must come in direct contact with the surface  of the ink in order to pick it up and so carry it to the component.

Buy the CD and learn more….