ISO 9001-Certified Swiss Manufacturing · USP Class VI Medical-Grade Options
Pad Printing Inks from Printcolor
Swiss-made one-component, two-component, UV-curable, silicone-free, and specialty pad printing inks for plastics, polypropylene, glass, ceramics, metal, automotive parts, medical devices, packaging, rubber, TPE, and coated surfaces. Selected formulations are supported by USP Class VI documentation.
North American Ink Expertise
Choose the pad printing ink around the part — not just the color.
Start with the substrate, then match the ink system to adhesion, cure method, resistance requirements, production speed, and end use.
Pad printing inks are formulated to transfer from an etched cliché to a silicone printing pad and then onto the production part. The right formulation must transfer cleanly and deliver the adhesion, opacity, flexibility, drying or curing behavior, and resistance the application requires.
Deco Technology Group stocks and distributes Swiss-made Printcolor pad printing inks throughout North America, including one-component, two-component, UV-curable, silicone-free, flexible, and specialty systems. As Printcolor's exclusive North American distributor since 1997, Deco Tech supports ink selection, custom color matching, substrate testing, auxiliaries, and production troubleshooting. Selected formulations are supported by USP Class VI documentation for qualifying medical-device applications.
Find the Right Pad Printing Ink by Substrate and End Use
Select the exact substrate to rank matching Printcolor 700 Series inks, then refine the results by ink system, performance requirement, or industry.
Fast-Drying Pad Printing Ink for Plastics
Universal, highly opaque pad printing ink for ABS, SAN, rigid and soft PVC, matte polystyrene, acrylic, PET-A, polycarbonate, and coated surfaces.
Pad Printing Ink for Untreated Polypropylene
Specialized pad printing ink for untreated polypropylene, promotional goods, caps, containers, toys, household products, and technical PP parts.
UV-Curable Pad Printing Ink for Plastics and Coated Parts
Universal UV-curable pad printing ink with strong abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, and resistance to hand perspiration for plastics, coated materials, medical components, toys, and technical parts.
2-Component Pad Printing Ink for Glass, Ceramics and Metal
Highly opaque two-component ink for indoor glassware, ceramics, metals, thermoset plastics, nylon, pretreated PE / PP, POM, and coated products.
High-Gloss 2C Ink for Glass, Metal and Engineering Plastics
High-gloss, highly resistant two-component ink for glass, ceramics, metal, nylon, thermoset plastics, powder coatings, and pretreated engineering plastics.
Universal 1C / 2C Pad Printing Ink for Plastics and Coatings
Highly opaque universal ink for ABS, polycarbonate, PVC, PET, polyamide, coatings, thermoset plastics, wood, automotive parts, medical devices, and textile applications.
High-Resistance Pad Printing Ink for Automotive and Outdoor Use
Quick-drying, high-gloss two-component ink for metal, coated parts, engineering plastics, cosmetic packaging, exterior automotive components, and weather-exposed products.
Silicone-Free Pad Printing Ink for Exterior Automotive Parts
Silicone-free version of Series 784 for alloy wheels, engine covers, badges, nameplates, coated metal parts, OEM automotive work, and applications requiring silicone-free processing.
User-Friendly 2C Ink for Automotive, Toys and Childcare
Modern high-gloss, highly opaque ink for medical devices, diagnostic and laboratory equipment, automotive components, toys, baby products, cosmetic packaging, bottle caps, consumer goods, and technical parts.
Flexible Pad Printing Ink for Rubber, TPE, and Soft-Touch Surfaces
Highly flexible two-component pad printing ink for rubber-like materials, TPE, soft-touch coatings, plasticized PVC, thermosets, promotional products, and selected silicone applications.
Applications and Industries
Pad Printing Ink Systems for Medical, Automotive, and Industrial Production
The right ink depends on the actual resin, surface condition, pretreatment, image deposit, drying or UV curing method, resistance requirements, and end-use environment.
Apparel Application
Tagless T-Shirt Printing & Direct Garment Neck Labels
Pad printing can place care information, size marks, brand logos, and other label graphics directly onto garments instead of using a sewn-in tag. Series 752 is a starting point for selected textile applications, but the exact fabric, dye, finish, stretch, opacity requirement, cure, and wash durability must be validated on the actual garment before production approval.
Technical Performance
Pad Printing Ink Performance Options
Compare formulations for opacity, drying speed, chemical and abrasion resistance, weather resistance, flexibility, USP Class VI documentation, and adhesion to difficult substrates.
Medical Ink Options
USP Class VI Pad Printing Ink Options
Printcolor's medical ink portfolio includes specific black and white /USP formulations within Series 711, 747 and 752, plus Series 786 with a NAMSA-tested composite formulation made from all 14 MS mixing colors. These systems support qualifying medical-device applications including syringe components, housings, diagnostic parts, laboratory equipment and other regulated products.
Detailed Series Guide
Compare Printcolor Pad Printing Ink Series
Open a series to review its published substrate ratings, performance characteristics, processing guidance, and a direct link to the complete Deco Tech technical page.
711 Fast-Drying Pad Printing Ink for Plastics1C / 2C Solvent - Deco Tech technical selection summary
Universal, highly opaque pad printing ink for ABS, SAN, rigid and soft PVC, matte polystyrene, acrylic, PET-A, polycarbonate, and coated surfaces.
Recommended substrates
Printcolor suitability rating| Substrate | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| ABS / SAN / copolymers | ★★★★★ | 10-0330 adhesion-promoting thinner can improve results |
| Acrylic / cast PMMA | ★★★★☆ | |
| Coated or powder-coated surfaces | ★★★★☆ | 700-HDA can improve resistance |
| PET-A | ★★★★☆ | |
| Polycarbonate | ★★★★☆ | |
| Polystyrene, matte | ★★★★★ | |
| Polystyrene, glossy or injection-molded | ★★★★☆ | Test the actual molded part |
| Rigid PVC | ★★★★★ | |
| Soft PVC | ★★★★★ | |
| Untreated polyester | ★☆☆☆☆ | Detailed preliminary testing is required |
Properties and performance
Confirm final settings with the current technical data sheet| Property | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| Drying | ★★★★★ | Fast-drying |
| Opacity and pigmentation | ★★★★★ | Highly opaque |
| Water resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Flexibility | ★★★★☆ | |
| Weather resistance | ★★★★☆ | |
| Abrasion resistance | ★★★☆☆ | Improve with 700-HDA |
| Alcohol and gasoline resistance | ★★★☆☆ | Improve with 700-HDA |
| Gloss | ★★★☆☆ | Silky gloss |
Processing snapshot
Confirm the exact mixing ratio, curing or drying conditions, and pot life for the selected color and applicationInk suitability depends on the exact resin grade, pigments, fillers, coatings, mold release, pretreatment, ink film thickness, drying or curing conditions, and service exposure. Test the complete production process on the actual part before approval.
712 Pad Printing Ink for Untreated Polypropylene1C / Optional 2C - Deco Tech technical selection summary
Specialized pad printing ink for untreated polypropylene, promotional goods, caps, containers, toys, household products, and technical PP parts.
Recommended substrates
Printcolor suitability rating| Substrate | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| Polypropylene, untreated | ★★★★☆ | 10-0330 can improve adhesion |
| Rigid PVC | ★★★★★ | |
| Soft PVC | ★★★★★ | |
| Polystyrene, matte | ★★★★★ | |
| Acrylic / cast PMMA | ★★★★☆ | |
| Coated or powder-coated surfaces | ★★★★☆ | 700-HDA can improve resistance |
| PET-A | ★★★★☆ | |
| Polycarbonate | ★★★★☆ | |
| Polystyrene, glossy or injection-molded | ★★★★☆ | Test the actual molded part |
| Untreated polyester | ★☆☆☆☆ | Detailed preliminary testing is required |
Properties and performance
Confirm final settings with the current technical data sheet| Property | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| Drying | ★★★★★ | |
| Opacity and pigmentation | ★★★★★ | |
| Water resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Flexibility | ★★★★☆ | |
| Weather resistance | ★★★★☆ | |
| Abrasion resistance | ★★★☆☆ | Improve with 700-HDA |
| Alcohol and gasoline resistance | ★★★☆☆ | Improve with 700-HDA |
| Gloss | ★★★☆☆ | Silky-gloss to semi-matte finish |
Processing snapshot
Confirm the exact mixing ratio, curing or drying conditions, and pot life for the selected color and applicationInk suitability depends on the exact resin grade, pigments, fillers, coatings, mold release, pretreatment, ink film thickness, drying or curing conditions, and service exposure. Test the complete production process on the actual part before approval.
747 UV-Curable Pad Printing Ink for Plastics and Coated PartsUV-Curable - Deco Tech technical selection summary
Universal UV-curable pad printing ink with strong abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, and resistance to hand perspiration for plastics, coated materials, medical components, toys, and technical parts.
Recommended substrates
Printcolor suitability rating| Substrate | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| ABS / SAN / copolymers | ★★★★☆ | 10-0330 can improve adhesion |
| Polyamide / nylon | ★★★★☆ | |
| Rigid or soft PVC | ★★★★☆ | |
| Polycarbonate | ★★★★☆ | |
| Polystyrene, matte | ★★★★☆ | |
| Acrylic, coated surfaces, thermoset plastics, glass / ceramics | ★★★☆☆ | Preliminary testing is recommended |
| PET-A | ★★★☆☆ | |
| Pretreated PE | ★★★☆☆ | |
| Untreated PP | ★★★☆☆ | |
| Textiles / apparel (selected fabrics) | ★★★☆☆ | Conditional starting point for tagless or direct garment printing; test wash resistance, stretch, opacity, hand feel, and cure on the actual fabric |
| Metal | ★☆☆☆☆ | Detailed preliminary testing is required |
Properties and performance
Confirm final settings with the current technical data sheet| Property | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| Abrasion resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Alcohol and gasoline resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| UV curing | ★★★★★ | |
| Resistance to hand perspiration | ★★★★★ | |
| Gloss | ★★★★☆ | Glossy |
| Opacity and pigmentation | ★★★★☆ | |
| Temperature resistance | ★★★★☆ | |
| Flexibility | ★★★☆☆ | |
| Water and weather resistance | ★★★☆☆ |
Processing snapshot
Confirm the exact mixing ratio, curing or drying conditions, and pot life for the selected color and applicationInk suitability depends on the exact resin grade, pigments, fillers, coatings, mold release, pretreatment, ink film thickness, drying or curing conditions, and service exposure. Test the complete production process on the actual part before approval.
750 2-Component Pad Printing Ink for Glass, Ceramics and Metal2C Solvent - Deco Tech technical selection summary
Highly opaque two-component ink for indoor glassware, ceramics, metals, thermoset plastics, nylon, pretreated PE / PP, POM, and coated products.
Recommended substrates
Printcolor suitability rating| Substrate | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| Glass / ceramics | ★★★★★ | Use 700-GL for glass and ceramic applications |
| Metal | ★★★★★ | |
| Thermoset plastics | ★★★★★ | |
| Polyamide / Nylon 6/6 | ★★★★★ | |
| Pretreated PE | ★★★★★ | |
| Pretreated PP | ★★★★★ | |
| POM / acetal | ★★★★★ | Post-flame treatment may be required |
| Rigid PVC | ★★★★★ | |
| ABS / SAN and coated surfaces | ★★★★☆ | |
| Polycarbonate and polyester | ★★★★☆ |
Properties and performance
Confirm final settings with the current technical data sheet| Property | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol and gasoline resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Resistance to hand perspiration | ★★★★★ | |
| Abrasion resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Opacity and pigmentation | ★★★★★ | |
| Temperature resistance | ★★★★☆ | |
| Flexibility | ★★★☆☆ | |
| Gloss | ★★★☆☆ | Silky gloss |
| Water resistance | ★★★☆☆ | Forced drying can improve resistance |
| Weather resistance | ★☆☆☆☆ | Intended primarily for indoor use |
Processing snapshot
Confirm the exact mixing ratio, curing or drying conditions, and pot life for the selected color and applicationInk suitability depends on the exact resin grade, pigments, fillers, coatings, mold release, pretreatment, ink film thickness, drying or curing conditions, and service exposure. Test the complete production process on the actual part before approval.
751 High-Gloss 2C Ink for Glass, Metal and Engineering Plastics2C Solvent - Deco Tech technical selection summary
High-gloss, highly resistant two-component ink for glass, ceramics, metal, nylon, thermoset plastics, powder coatings, and pretreated engineering plastics.
Recommended substrates
Printcolor suitability rating| Substrate | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| Glass / ceramics | ★★★★★ | |
| Metal | ★★★★★ | |
| Polyamide / nylon | ★★★★★ | |
| Rigid PVC | ★★★★★ | |
| ABS / SAN | ★★★★☆ | |
| Powder-coated / lacquered surfaces | ★★★★☆ | |
| Thermoset plastics | ★★★★☆ | |
| Pretreated PE or PP | ★★★★☆ | |
| POM / acetal | ★★★★☆ | Flame post-treatment and 700-HDI are required |
| Acrylic and untreated polyester | ★★★☆☆ | Preliminary testing is recommended |
Properties and performance
Confirm final settings with the current technical data sheet| Property | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| Abrasion resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Alcohol and gasoline resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Drying | ★★★★★ | |
| Gloss | ★★★★★ | High gloss |
| Opacity and pigmentation | ★★★★★ | |
| Resistance to hand perspiration | ★★★★★ | |
| Flexibility | ★★★★☆ | |
| Temperature resistance | ★★★★☆ | |
| Water resistance | ★★★★☆ | Forced drying can improve resistance |
| Weather resistance | ★☆☆☆☆ | Intended primarily for indoor use |
Processing snapshot
Confirm the exact mixing ratio, curing or drying conditions, and pot life for the selected color and applicationInk suitability depends on the exact resin grade, pigments, fillers, coatings, mold release, pretreatment, ink film thickness, drying or curing conditions, and service exposure. Test the complete production process on the actual part before approval.
752 Universal 1C / 2C Pad Printing Ink for Plastics and Coatings1C / 2C Solvent - Deco Tech technical selection summary
Highly opaque universal ink for ABS, polycarbonate, PVC, PET, polyamide, coatings, thermoset plastics, wood, automotive parts, medical devices, and textile applications.
Recommended substrates
Printcolor suitability rating| Substrate | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| ABS / SAN | ★★★★★ | |
| Polycarbonate | ★★★★★ | |
| Rigid PVC | ★★★★★ | |
| Acrylic / PMMA | ★★★★☆ | |
| Coated or powder-coated surfaces | ★★★★☆ | |
| Thermoset plastics | ★★★★☆ | |
| PET-A and PET-G | ★★★★☆ | |
| Polyamide / nylon | ★★★★☆ | |
| Pretreated PE or PP | ★★★★☆ | |
| Untreated PP | ★★★☆☆ | Add 700-PP at 20% and process as a 2C ink |
| Metal | ★☆☆☆☆ | Detailed preliminary testing is required |
Properties and performance
Confirm final settings with the current technical data sheet| Property | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical and abrasion resistance | ★★★★★ | Highly resistant formulation |
| Detail reproduction | ★★★★★ | Excellent printability |
| Opacity and pigmentation | ★★★★★ | |
| Flexibility | ★★★★☆ | Suitable for selected textile applications |
| Automotive resistance | ★★★★★ | Specified for qualifying interior and exterior applications |
| USP Class VI option | ★★★★★ | Qualifying Class VI colors and formulations |
Processing snapshot
Confirm the exact mixing ratio, curing or drying conditions, and pot life for the selected color and applicationInk suitability depends on the exact resin grade, pigments, fillers, coatings, mold release, pretreatment, ink film thickness, drying or curing conditions, and service exposure. Test the complete production process on the actual part before approval.
784 High-Resistance Pad Printing Ink for Automotive and Outdoor Use2C Solvent - Deco Tech technical selection summary
Quick-drying, high-gloss two-component ink for metal, coated parts, engineering plastics, cosmetic packaging, exterior automotive components, and weather-exposed products.
Recommended substrates
Printcolor suitability rating| Substrate | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic / PMMA | ★★★★★ | |
| Coated / powder-coated surfaces | ★★★★★ | |
| Thermoset plastics | ★★★★★ | |
| Metal | ★★★★★ | |
| Polyamide / nylon | ★★★★★ | |
| Polycarbonate | ★★★★★ | |
| Pretreated PE or PP | ★★★★★ | |
| Tritan | ★★★★★ | |
| Rigid PVC | ★★★★★ | |
| ABS / SAN, PET-A, polystyrene | ★★★★☆ |
Properties and performance
Confirm final settings with the current technical data sheet| Property | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| Abrasion resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Alcohol and gasoline resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Gloss | ★★★★★ | High gloss |
| Opacity and pigmentation | ★★★★★ | |
| Resistance to hand perspiration | ★★★★★ | |
| Water resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Weather resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Drying | ★★★★☆ | Quick surface drying |
| Temperature resistance | ★★★★☆ | |
| Flexibility | ★★★☆☆ |
Processing snapshot
Confirm the exact mixing ratio, curing or drying conditions, and pot life for the selected color and applicationInk suitability depends on the exact resin grade, pigments, fillers, coatings, mold release, pretreatment, ink film thickness, drying or curing conditions, and service exposure. Test the complete production process on the actual part before approval.
784-SF Silicone-Free Pad Printing Ink for Exterior Automotive PartsSilicone-Free 2C - Deco Tech technical selection summary
Silicone-free version of Series 784 for alloy wheels, engine covers, badges, nameplates, coated metal parts, OEM automotive work, and applications requiring silicone-free processing.
Recommended substrates
Printcolor suitability rating| Substrate | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic / PMMA | ★★★★★ | |
| Coated / powder-coated surfaces | ★★★★★ | |
| Thermoset plastics | ★★★★★ | |
| Polyamide / nylon | ★★★★★ | |
| Polycarbonate | ★★★★★ | |
| Pretreated PE or PP | ★★★★★ | |
| Tritan | ★★★★★ | |
| Rigid PVC | ★★★★★ | |
| Metal | ★★★★☆ | |
| ABS / SAN, PET-A, polystyrene | ★★★★☆ |
Properties and performance
Confirm final settings with the current technical data sheet| Property | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| Silicone-free processing | ★★★★★ | Designed for automotive production |
| Abrasion resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Chemical resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Water resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Weather resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Gloss | ★★★★★ | High gloss |
| Fade resistance | ★★★★★ | Special pigments for exterior durability |
Processing snapshot
Confirm the exact mixing ratio, curing or drying conditions, and pot life for the selected color and applicationInk suitability depends on the exact resin grade, pigments, fillers, coatings, mold release, pretreatment, ink film thickness, drying or curing conditions, and service exposure. Test the complete production process on the actual part before approval.
786 User-Friendly 2C Ink for Automotive, Toys and Childcare2C Solvent - Deco Tech technical selection summary
Modern high-gloss, highly opaque two-component ink for medical devices, diagnostic systems, laboratory equipment, automotive components, toys, baby products, cosmetic packaging, bottle caps, consumer goods, and technical parts. A NAMSA-tested composite containing all 14 Series 786 MS mixing colors met USP Class VI requirements under the documented test conditions.
Recommended substrates
Printcolor suitability rating| Substrate | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic / PMMA | ★★★★★ | |
| Coated / powder-coated surfaces | ★★★★★ | |
| Polyamide / nylon | ★★★★★ | |
| Polycarbonate | ★★★★★ | |
| Pretreated PE or PP | ★★★★★ | |
| Tritan | ★★★★★ | |
| Rigid PVC | ★★★★★ | |
| Injection-molded PS | ★★★★★ | |
| ABS / SAN, metal, PET-A, thermoset plastics | ★★★★☆ | |
| Untreated polyester | ★★★☆☆ | Preliminary testing is recommended |
Properties and performance
Confirm final settings with the current technical data sheet| Property | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| Gloss | ★★★★★ | High gloss |
| Opacity and pigmentation | ★★★★★ | |
| Abrasion resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Chemical resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Formulation profile | ★★★★★ | PAH- and halogen-free |
| Toy and childcare suitability | ★★★★★ | Designed around EN 71-3 requirements; final article must be tested |
| USP Class VI test basis | Documented | NAMSA-tested composite formulation contained all 14 Series 786 MS mixing colors |
Processing snapshot
Confirm the exact mixing ratio, curing or drying conditions, and pot life for the selected color and applicationInk suitability depends on the exact resin grade, pigments, fillers, coatings, mold release, pretreatment, ink film thickness, drying or curing conditions, and service exposure. Test the complete production process on the actual part before approval.
792 Flexible Pad Printing Ink for Rubber, TPE, and Soft-Touch SurfacesFlexible 2C - Deco Tech technical selection summary
Highly flexible two-component pad printing ink for rubber-like materials, TPE, soft-touch coatings, plasticized PVC, thermosets, promotional products, and selected silicone applications.
Recommended substrates
Printcolor suitability rating| Substrate | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| TPE / rubber / soft-touch surfaces | ★★★★☆ | |
| Coated / powder-coated surfaces | ★★★★☆ | |
| Plasticized PVC and selected thermosets | ★★★☆☆ | Confirm on the production grade |
| Silicone | ★★☆☆☆ | Use special varnish 140-7117/05 and complete testing |
Properties and performance
Confirm final settings with the current technical data sheet| Property | Rating | Technical note |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility / elasticity | ★★★★★ | |
| Gloss | ★★★★☆ | High gloss |
| Abrasion resistance | ★★★★☆ | |
| Chemical resistance | ★★★★☆ | |
| Formulation profile | ★★★★☆ | PAH- and halogen-free |
Processing snapshot
Confirm the exact mixing ratio, curing or drying conditions, and pot life for the selected color and applicationInk suitability depends on the exact resin grade, pigments, fillers, coatings, mold release, pretreatment, ink film thickness, drying or curing conditions, and service exposure. Test the complete production process on the actual part before approval.
Thinners, Hardeners, and Additives
Build the Correct Pad Printing Ink Process
Use these auxiliaries to adjust evaporation speed, adhesion, cross-linking, wetting, flow, and static control. Always follow the selected ink-series technical data sheet and test the final mixture on the actual production part.
Universal Medium Thinner
Standard viscosity adjustment for Printcolor 700 Series inks in open inkwells and closed ink cups.
10-20% typicalUniversal Retarder
Slower evaporation for warm, dry, or slower-production conditions. Can be blended with GS-017.
Up to 10% typicalFast Accelerator
Faster evaporation for high-speed closed-cup and rotary pad printing applications.
10-20% typicalFastest Accelerator
Fastest evaporation option for very high-speed mechanical and rotary systems.
10-15% typicalSpecial Retarder
Very slow retarder for hot environments and applications requiring longer open time.
Up to 10%Adhesion-Promoting Thinner
Improves adhesion on PS, ABS, SAN, PET-A, PET-E, PET-G, and related thermoplastics.
10-20% typicalOutdoor Hardener
Provides high chemical resistance to chemicals, abrasion, UV exposure, and weathering, with less yellowing concern than typical indoor hardeners.
Use the ratio specified in the series TDSIndoor Hardener
Fast cross-linking, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, and gloss for indoor use.
Use the ratio specified in the series TDSHighly Resistant Hardener
Solvent-free hardener option for demanding indoor or outdoor applications where specified.
Use the ratio specified in the series TDSGlass and Ceramic Hardener
Special hardener for glass, ceramics, metal, and anodized aluminum applications.
Use the series-specific ratioPolypropylene Adhesion Promoter
Improves adhesion on difficult or high-regrind polypropylene grades.
10-20%Flow Agent
Reduces pinholes, bubbling, and orange peel while improving flow and sometimes gloss.
0.3-0.5%Wetting Agent
Improves wetting on contaminated plastics, mold-release residues, oxidized glass, and metal.
0.5-1%Antistatic Agent
Reduces spider-webbing and inconsistent ink transfer caused by static electricity.
0.5-1%Color Matching and Technical Resources
Specify the Ink with Confidence
Custom Color Matching and Application Testing
Deco Tech can match Pantone and customer-supplied colors, evaluate adhesion on actual parts, and help define the ink, hardener, thinner, pretreatment, drying, and validation plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pad Printing Ink Selection FAQ
Which pad printing ink should I use for ABS, SAN, PVC, or polystyrene?
Which Printcolor ink is designed for untreated polypropylene?
What pad printing ink is recommended for glass, ceramics, or metal?
Which inks have USP Class VI medical documentation?
Which series is best for exterior automotive components?
What is the difference between thinner, retarder, and accelerator?
Can Deco Tech match a Pantone or customer-supplied color?
How should a pad printing ink be approved before production?
Can pad printing be used for tagless T-shirt neck labels and care labels?
What does ISO 9001-certified manufacturing mean for Printcolor pad printing inks?
Send Us the Part. We'll Help Define the Correct Pad Printing Ink Process.
Provide the substrate, artwork, print size, colors, production equipment, cycle speed, pretreatment method, and required resistance. Deco Tech can recommend the ink series, color, thinner, hardener, printing pad, cliche plate, and validation plan.
Technical Resources
Download Charts & Certifications
Review Printcolor color options, USP Class VI medical documentation, substrate compatibility guidance, and ISO quality certification.
Printcolor Color Guide
Review standard colors, mixing-system shades, metallics, neon colors, and specialty ink options.
View Color GuideUSP Class VI Certifications
Access certification information for qualifying Printcolor medical-grade pad printing ink systems.
View Medical CertificationsSubstrate Compatibility Chart
Compare recommended Printcolor ink series for plastics, metals, glass, ceramics, coated materials, and other substrates.
Open Substrate ChartISO Quality Certification
Review Printcolor’s current quality-management certifications and manufacturing standards.
View ISO CertificationNeed a specific technical data sheet or certification report? Contact Deco Tech with the Printcolor ink series and color number, and our team can provide the applicable documentation.
