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Manual, semi-automatic and automatic pad printing machines
Thermoflan offers a complete range of professional pad printing machines for marking and customizing industrial parts, promotional items and products of various shapes. Using ink transfer via a silicone pad, this printing technique accurately reproduces logos, text, graduations and designs on flat, curved or irregular surfaces.
Our range comprises three equipment families: manual pad printing machines, suited to short runs and customization work; Universal semi-automatic machines, which offer a good balance between flexibility and productivity; and Pro automatic machines, designed for industrial throughput and high-volume production.
From single-color printing to multicolor marking, Thermoflan helps you choose a machine suited to your materials, part dimensions and production requirements.
Our range of pad printing machines
Thermoflan offers three ranges of pad printing machines to meet different professional marking and printing needs: manual machines for 1 to 2 colors, Universal semi-automatic machines (TTN 90, 120, 134 and 200, along with their variants) and Pro industrial automatic machines (TTN 100, 200 and 350 series, as well as custom solutions).
From short customization runs to high-speed industrial production, this equipment delivers precise printing on parts of various shapes and sizes. The choice of machine depends in particular on the number of colors to be printed, the marking area and the desired level of automation.
To complete our offering, we also supply the accessories and consumables required for pad printing: clichés (printing plates), silicone pads, inks, solvents and additives, as well as cliché preparation and drying equipment.
Discover our range of pad printing machines and equipment below, suited to the requirements of customization workshops and industrial production environments alike.
What is pad printing?
Pad printing is an indirect printing process used to transfer ink onto objects of various shapes and materials. The design to be printed is engraved into a plate called a cliché; the ink is then picked up by a flexible silicone pad and deposited onto the part to be marked.
What sets marking by pad printing apart is the pad’s ability to conform to the contours and relief of objects. This technique can therefore print accurately on flat, curved, concave, convex or slightly textured surfaces, including when their geometry makes other printing processes difficult to use.
Used for customizing promotional items as well as marking industrial parts, pad printing reproduces logos, text, graduations, pictograms and detailed designs. It is suitable for short runs and repeat production alike, with the option of multicolor printing depending on the machine configuration.
How does a pad printing machine work?
A pad printing machine operates in four main steps:
1. Cliché preparation
The text, logo or design to be reproduced is engraved as a recessed image into a plate called a pad printing cliché. Depending on the type of cliché used, this engraving can be produced by exposure and development or directly by laser. The cliché is the master from which the image is reproduced on each part.
2. Inking the cliché
The ink cup deposits ink onto the surface of the cliché. Its doctoring ring removes excess ink from the surface, so that ink remains only in the engraved areas corresponding to the design to be printed.
3. Ink transfer by the silicone pad
The silicone pad comes down onto the cliché to pick up the ink held in the engraved areas. It then moves to the object to be marked and applies the design to its surface. Thanks to its flexibility and elasticity, the pad conforms to the shape of the part while ensuring accurate transfer of the image.
4. Drying the print
Once transferred, the ink must dry or cure to achieve the required durability. Depending on the ink formulation and the material printed, this step can take place in open air or may require dedicated drying equipment, such as a drying oven or a drying tunnel.
This process can be carried out on a manual, semi-automatic or automatic pad printing machine. While the printing principle remains the same, the level of automation determines, in particular, the production rate and the operator interventions required.
Manual, Universal or Pro pad printing: what's the difference?
Manual pad printing machines are suited to short runs, prototypes and customization workshops. The operator actuates the print cycle: the investment is limited and the machines are quick to learn.
Machines in the Universal range automate the print cycle. They deliver consistent quality and higher throughput, in one or more colors, while remaining versatile for a variety of parts.
The Pro range (TTN Series 100, 200 and 350, as well as custom-built machines) is designed for industrial production: multicolor printing, advanced automation, and integration of conveyors or loading stations depending on the project.
Materials compatible with a pad printing machine
Pad printing can print on a wide variety of materials, whether flat surfaces, curved surfaces or complex shapes. This versatility makes it a technique particularly well suited to customizing objects and marking industrial parts.
Thermoflan pad printing machines can be used in particular on the following materials, provided a suitable ink and process are selected:
- Plastics: ABS, PVC, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene and other compatible plastics.
- Metals: aluminum, steel, stainless steel and other metal surfaces, bare or coated.
- Glass and ceramics: bottles, containers, decorative pieces and technical objects.
- Wood: promotional items, accessories and parts with a surface suitable for printing.
- Rubber and silicone: flexible components and technical parts, depending on their composition and surface treatment.
- Leather and synthetic materials: accessories, promotional items and consumer products.
The quality and durability of the marking depend in particular on the pad printing ink formulation, the surface condition of the substrate and the printing conditions. Some materials, especially low-surface-energy plastics such as polypropylene or polyethylene, may require pretreatment to promote ink adhesion.
Thermoflan offers various formulations of inks, solvents and additives to adapt printing to the properties of the materials and the required resistance. Tests can also be carried out on the parts to be marked to check substrate compatibility and determine the appropriate printing parameters.
What are the applications of industrial pad printing?
Industrial pad printing is used in many sectors to print logos, text, graduations or pictograms on objects of various shapes. It is suitable for both product customization and marking technical components, particularly on surfaces that are difficult to print with other processes.
- Promotional and advertising items: customization of pens, lighters, keychains, USB drives, mugs and other accessories with logos or slogans.
- Industry and automotive: marking of control buttons, dashboards, switches, front panels, plastic parts and mechanical components.
- Electronics: printing of markings, logos and pictograms on housings, keypads, connectors and electronic components.
- Medical and laboratory: marking of graduations and inscriptions on syringes, vials, medical devices and surgical equipment, using inks suited to the requirements of the application.
- Cosmetics and packaging: decoration of perfume bottles, overcaps, caps, cream jars and lipstick tubes.
- Toys, sports and leisure: customization of toys, eyewear, buttons, leather accessories and other parts with complex shapes.
Pets
Art, Craft & Creation
Automotive, Military & Aeronautics
Wellness & Cosmetics
Jewelry & Watchmaking
Knives & Weapons
Electronics & Technology
Goodies & Promotional items
Industry, Tools & Metalworking
Recreational & Educational
Nature, Sport & Leisure
Home & Decoration
Optics & Eyewear
Healthcare, Medical & Laboratory
Security, Access & Identification
Textile, Fashion & Accessories
Why choose a professional pad printing machine?
Need a machine suited to your business?
Our team will help you choose a machine suited to your materials, the dimensions of your parts and your production constraints.
FREE QUOTEHow do you choose a pad printing machine?
Choosing a professional pad printing machine depends on several criteria: the number of colors to be printed, the dimensions and geometry of the parts, production rates and the desired level of automation. These factors determine the type of equipment and configuration best suited to your operation.
Based on the number of colors to print
For marking a single-color logo, text or pictogram, a one-color pad printing machine may be sufficient. Multicolor printing, on the other hand, requires precise positioning of the different colors to ensure accurate registration.
Thermoflan offers manual and Universal semi-automatic machines for 1 to 2 colors. For applications requiring more colors, certain configurations in the Pro automatic range can print up to 6 colors.
Based on part dimensions and shape
The marking area, the dimensions of the objects and their geometry influence the choice of machine. The size of the printable design depends in particular on the dimensions of the cliché, the ink cup and the silicone pad used.
For curved or irregular parts, or parts that are difficult to position, a suitable holding fixture may be needed to ensure print accuracy and repeatability.
The Thermoflan range includes ink cups in various sizes, including oval configurations suited to elongated designs.
Based on throughput and level of automation
Production volume and frequency of use determine the level of automation required.
- Manual machines: suited to short runs, prototypes and occasional customization work, with direct operator involvement.
- Universal semi-automatic machines: designed for regular production, with an automated print cycle and part handling generally performed by the operator.
- Pro automatic machines: designed for industrial throughput, with programming functions and options for integration into automated systems depending on the configuration.
Which Thermoflan pad printing machine should you choose?
The three Thermoflan ranges meet different production needs, from workshop customization to high-volume industrial marking.
| Criterion | Manual range | Universal range | Pro range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operation | Manual | Semi-automatic | Automatic |
| Number of colors | 1 to 2 | 1 to 2 | Up to 6 depending on configuration |
| Production | Short runs and one-off jobs | Regular production and repeat runs | High-volume runs and industrial throughput |
| Operator involvement | Manual actuation | Automated cycle, loading generally manual | Depends on configuration and integration |
| Main uses | Prototypes, customization, promotional items | Repetitive marking of parts and objects | Industrial marking and automated production |
| Thermoflan models | Manual 1- or 2-color machines | TTN 90, 120, 134, 200 and variants | TTN 100, 200, 350 series and custom solutions |
The choice of clichés, silicone pads and pad printing inks must also take into account the material to be printed, the fineness of the design and the required marking durability.
Thermoflan’s teams can advise you on choosing equipment and consumables, and can also run print tests on your parts to validate the most suitable solution before you invest.
Frequently asked questions about pad printing
What materials can be pad printed?
Pad printing can print on many materials, including plastics, metals, glass, ceramics, wood and certain synthetic materials. The quality and durability of the marking depend on the choice of ink, the properties of the substrate and, in some cases, an appropriate surface treatment.
Can you print in multiple colors?
Yes. Thermoflan pad printing machines can print 1 to 2 colors with the manual and Universal ranges, and up to 6 colors with certain Pro automatic machines. Each color requires precise positioning to ensure correct registration of the designs.
What is a pad printing cliché?
A pad printing cliché is a plate with the design to be printed engraved into it as a recessed image. Ink is deposited into the engraved areas, then transferred onto the object using a silicone pad. Depending on their technology, clichés can be prepared by exposure or by laser engraving.
Is pad printing suitable for short runs?
Yes. Manual pad printing machines are particularly well suited to short runs, prototypes and occasional customization work. For more regular production or high volumes, the Universal and Pro ranges allow higher throughput.
Can Thermoflan run tests on my parts?
Yes. Thermoflan can carry out print tests on your parts to check marking feasibility, select suitable inks and consumables, and assess the quality of the result before you invest. Contact us to arrange a test or a demonstration.