Updated 6/15/2026
Tagless printing plates are etched components used in the pad printing to hold the artwork for a garment label. The etched image area carries the ink, which gets picked up by a silicone pad and transferred directly onto the fabric. Plate material, etch depth and etch quality all affect the clarity, durability and consistency of the final tagless print.
There are two primary options for pad printing plates: laser-etched and photopolymer. Laser plate making offers a faster, more streamlined workflow, typically saving about 30 minutes per plate. The process is more straightforward and automated, leaving less room for human error.
Photopolymer plates, however, are a more cost-effective choice for tagless printing over time. While they require additional consumables and involve a more manual process, the lower equipment investment makes photopolymer plates a more economical choice for many operations, especially at scale
Photopolymer plates are a great option for a small business that regularly prints a limited range of tag artwork. With the purchase of an exposure unit and the necessary consumables, companies can bring tag printing in-house, gaining more control over production while reducing outsourcing costs.
For larger business operations managing diverse artwork need, laser platemakers offers a more scalable solution. With these platemakers, the faster setup, increased automation, and consistent output make them better suited for complex, high production printing workflows.
The photopolymer plate process requires the following items: an exposure unit, plates, film positive, brush, dryer, oven, and water or chemical plate developer, depending on which plate type you chose (see below),. While the seems like a lengthy list, it is still the more cost-effective process compared to purchasing a laser plate maker.
Photopolymer plates require more attention than laser printed as the process is multi-stepped. Inkcups has a full step by step video: How to Make a Photopolymer Plate for Pad Printing Machines.
H2: How to Select a Photopolymer Plate t for Tagless Applications?
Inkcups offers six different types of photopolymer plates for tagless printing acrpss twp main categories:, alcohol wash and water wash. Alcohol wash options include red, green, and gray plates, while water wash options incude dark green, orange, and light green plates. The primary difference is how the polymer plates are developed after UV exposure. Both have their advantages.
| Photopolymer plate type | Best for | Key advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol-wash | Etch-depth control and durability | Harder plate material and more controlled etching |
| Water-wash | Simpler processing | No chemical developer required |
When it comes down to which photopolymer plates are best for your application, it depends on three main factors:
How Many Impressions Can You Get from a Photopolymer Plate?
Most photopolymer plates can produce between 10,000 to 25,000 impressions, depending on plate material, artwork, etch quality and production conditions. Premium photopolymer plates, such as alcohol-wash red plates, can produce up to 75,000 impressions, making them a better option for higher-volume tagless printing applications.
Did You Know? Inkcups is one of the largest photopolymer plates (cliché) suppliers in the United States. We offer a complete line of traditional photosensitive alcohol and water wash photopolymer plates for pad printing. See Photopolymer Plates to find out more.
The chosen artwork for a photopolymer plate can affect several parts of the plate-making process, including exposure time, line screen selection and final print quality. The amount of detail, size of the image and density of the design can all influence how long the plate should be exposed, and which line screen should be used.
For example, here is a comparison of the exposure times between small and large logo artwork:
| B100 (Small Image) | 150 (Large Image) | |
|---|---|---|
| Film Exposure | 1:00 | 0:55 |
| 200 Line Screen Exposure | 0:20 | 0:10 |
| Washout | 1:00 | 1:30 |
| Bake Time @ 170°F | 20:00 | 20:00 |
| Post Cure | 20:00 | 20:00 |
Photopolymer Plates in Exposure Unit
Additional Photopolymer Plate Resources
Inkcups has a ton of information available about photopolymer plates, the process, and everything in between. The following documents and video will help you on your photopolymer plate journey.
Still have questions? Do not hesitate Contact Us.
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