When Is It Time To Get A New Printing Pad?
June 18th, 2009 | Author: InkcupsNow
Worn Out Pads
Have you ever experienced problems while pad printing such as repeated misprints or voided prints? If so, your initial reaction was most likely that it was caused by the ink. However, many times it is due to the fact that the printing pad needs replacing. If your pad looks anything like those on the picture, it’s about time you get a new one!
By the way, for a limited time, we have a Buy 5 Pads Get 1 Free offer for you. Search our pad selection and call in for more details at 978-646-8981.
Common Issues Caused by Old Pad
- • All silicone pads have oil in them to pick up and transfer ink properly. If the pad dries out you may experience voids in the prints.
- • If the image is burnt into the pad that means it has dried out. This can be caused by using a high ratio of hardeners or thinners in your ink - hardeners and some thinners are aggressive to the silicone surface. This is normal and doesn’t necessarily mean that there is something wrong with your ink mix – but you will have to change your pad more often. (The life of the pad also depends on what substrates you print on, for instance, softer plastic materials is gentler to print on then hard metal objects.)
- • Pads can also get saturated with thinners, leading to poor ink pick-up. If the saturation happens, the pad will dry out quicker than it should.
- • When the pad durometer changes (due to dryness) softer pads get softer and harder pads get harder, which will also affect the outcome of the artwork.
We’ve seen a lot pads and done a lot of pad printing here at Inkcups. Our conclusion is: if you are continuing to use a deteriorated pad instead of getting a new one, you are wasting much more than you are saving because of all the misprints and aggravation.
How to Take Care of Your Printing Pad
Even the best pads won’t last forever. However, you can prolong their life by regular maintenance.
New printing pad
Here are the steps to take care of your pad:
- • To prevent ink, dirt and dust from leaving marks in the silicone, you should clean your pad often. Begin by using mask tape to remove ink and dirt.
- • Wipe the pad with pad cleaner using a soft cloth.
- • Spray pad conditioner and let it sit overnight.
- • Remember to ALWAYS place your pad base down and keep it in a dust free area.
This way you will keep your pad looking like the picture on the left for a long time!
Check out our Nu-Life pad cleaner, it was specifically formulated for pads. We also have a unique product that replenishes the oil in the pad, Nu-Pad conditioner and restorer. For any other questions about how to maintain your pads, call Inkcups at 978-646-8980 and ask to speak to our pad specialists Sean Metzler.
Technorati tags: Pad print, Printing pad, Silicone pads
Tags: How to Take Care of Pads, Pad, Pad Printing, Printing Pads, replace printing pad
