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What types of printing plates are used in Pad Printing?
- Steel clichés: Steel cliché plates are available in either thin steel (0.5mm) or thick steel (10mm). Steel plates are the most durable plates on the market, and they are designed to last up to 1 million cycles (thick steel). Chemically etched steel cliché plates provide superior detail and are perfect for small intricate designs (such as Swiss Watch faces). Steel clichés are typically for long run and dedicated artworks.
- Photopolymer plates: Photopolymer cliché plates are made from light-sensitive photopolymer resins that are exposed to UV light to create a printing plate and are either washed out with water or alcohol. These photopolymer cliché plates are much less expensive than a steel cliché plate and they are ideal for shorter production runs.
- Laser engraved plates: Laser engraved plates are unique in that they can only be processed with a direct etching (engraving) from the energy of a low powered laser source (typically 5W is ideal). These
What Types of Pad Printing Plates (Clichés) Are Used?
Pad printing plates—also known as clichés—are essential components in the pad printing process. These plates hold the etched artwork that transfers ink onto the silicone pad and ultimately to the substrate. At Deco Tech, we offer a full line of pad printing plates and clichés to meet the varying production demands of the printing industry.
Photopolymer Clichés (Polymer Plates)
These cost-effective plates are ideal for short to medium production runs and are commonly used across multiple industries. Deco Tech offers several types:
- Laser-Etchable Clichés: Designed for use with fiber lasers, these black photopolymer clichés allow precise, chemical-free etching with high resolution.
- Water-Wash Clichés: These eco-friendly polymer plates are processed using water and a soft brush, offering excellent results without harsh solvents.
- Alcohol-Wash Clichés: Durable and easy to process, these clichés are compatible with most pad printing systems and offer superior solvent resistance.
Thick Steel Clichés
Steel clichés are made for high-volume production environments where longevity and consistency are critical. These 10mm thick plates are precision-ground and designed to endure hundreds of thousands of cycles. Ideal for demanding industrial applications, steel clichés provide unmatched durability.
Which Plate Should I Choose?
The best pad printing plate for your operation depends on several factors:
- Production Volume: Steel clichés are best for long runs; polymer plates are ideal for short to medium jobs.
- Image Detail: Laser-etched and alcohol-wash clichés offer high resolution for fine graphics.
- Environmental Preference: Water-wash clichés are the most environmentally friendly option.
- Budget: Photopolymer plates offer lower upfront costs, while steel offers better ROI for large volumes.
Still not sure which cliché is right for your application? Contact Deco Tech for expert advice or request a sample today.