Silicone inks are designed for pad printing and screen printing. Silicone is a unique substrate and without a deep understanding of all the complex chemistry behind it, UV curable inks and regular solvent-based inks do not stick to silicone, so special inks are required. The only inks that stick to silicone are silicone inks. Unlike some solvent-based inks, silicone inks require heat to cure. Inkcups offer either the SI series or the SI-HD series, both of which are better options for decorative silicone products. SI-HD inks have been reformulated to have a higher opacity than other inks on the market. Both are designed for durability and are highly resistant to scratches, bending and stretching. These properties provide a nice amount of flexibility for both series.
Silicone Ink Pots for Screen and Pad Printing on Silicone
Pad printing silicone ink
Pad printing silicone inks is done just like any other pad printing job. The operator mixes the ink with specific percentages of hardener and solvent. They will then fill the ink cups with the ink mixture. Once it is secured to the pad printer, the operator can start printing. Since the silicone needs to cure after printing, only one color can be pad printed at a time. If your artwork requires two colors, you will need to cure your product after printing each color. In addition, ensuring accurate registration is also important for two-color printing. Since silicone requires heat to dry, the ink will remain wet until properly cured. In order to print high quality images, the cleaning pad needs to be printed every few times, as the silicone ink will start to stick to the silicone pad. The article When to Replace Pad Printing Pads includes signs you need to buy a new pad, as well as tips and advice from the Inkcups pros. Any areas that are discolored or look "fuzzy" are sure signs of this changing pad. The time and temperature required to cure will depend on the ink you are using.
Pad printing consumables include pad printing machines, pad printing plates, inks, ink cups, etc., which are small in size and easy to store. Pad printing requires very little ink. For example, ink costs about $0.03 for a 2" x 2" square. As for the print version, it is recommended to use the laser version over the polymer version as it produces less streaks in the artwork. The artwork should also have a lighter etch so the ink doesn't splatter when placed on the silicone item. this point is very important. If the etching is too deep, the silicon ink will spread and affect the print quality. The main goal of pad printing is to use the right amount of ink so that it is fully released onto the substrate and does not build up on the pad. As you might have guessed, a stiffer pad is better at releasing ink onto the silicone. We recommend medium firm pads with a durometer of 60-70. If you are not sure which type of plate, printer, ink or pad to use to print on your product, don't worry – contact us, that's why we are here.
Screen printing silicone ink
Screen printing requires the operator to use a mesh screen coated with emulsion. Stencils block parts of the screen to develop graphics. The screens are stretched on wooden or metal frames. After the screen is complete, the operator pours ink onto the screen and uses a squeegee to press the ink across the screen. Ink is only applied where the stencil is open. Bold prints can use more ink - but depending on the size of the grid there is still a risk of overprinting. The boldness of the design depends on the thickness of the screen. For example, a grid of 150 should be used for coarser, larger graphics with less detail. A 305 or 310 mesh is tighter and better for printing fine lines and small fonts, especially cursive. Templates can be created that allow for uniform design and greater productivity. High volume production at very high speeds requires extra care as the friction on the screen can heat the ink, causing it to thicken and get stuck on the screen. If this happens, the scraper speed should be reduced to reduce friction. Too much pressure can also cause the screen to crack. Make sure to always have extra screen cleaning solution and screen on hand in case you run into these problems! Too much pressure can also cause the screen to crack. Make sure to always have extra screen cleaning solution and screen on hand in case you run into these problems! Too much pressure can also cause the screen to crack. Make sure to always have extra screen cleaning solution and screen on hand in case you run into these problems!
Inkcups Silicone Pad Printing Inks
SI-HD series pad printing silicone ink
The silicone pad printing ink offered by Inkcups is SI-HD series pad printing silicone ink. Silicone ink is unique because it needs to be as easy to bend and bend as the printing substrate. As such, it's mostly made of silicone, because what sticks to silicone alone is silicone! This is a two-component ink that performs well on two important printing criteria - opacity and gloss. Another benefit of choosing Inkcups' SI-HD ink line is that it dries completely in a 200°F oven for at least 4-7 minutes.
SI series silicone ink
SI series silicone inks can be pad printed and screen printed. No matter which method you choose, heat curing is required for the ink to dry completely. SI Series inks require 6-8 minutes to cure in a 200-250°F oven to provide high abrasion resistance and the ability to withstand the heat that silicone products are often subjected to. Like SI-HD, the SI range of inks is a two-component ink of the highest standard in terms of opacity and gloss. The collection includes 15 standard colors and two metallic shades. The SI range of ink brochures are linked here and include a handy color chart.
Silicone substrate
There are a number of silicone substrates that are becoming more and more popular. SI-HD inks can be printed on any true silicone product such as: phone cases, swim caps, drinkware, tool handles, kitchenware, and even pet supplies. Check out our SI-HD brochure for a full rundown.
Another benefit of printing on silicone with a pad printer is the flexibility to print on otherwise difficult-to-print surfaces.
Pad Printing vs Screen Printing Silicone: Which Method Should I Choose?
When comparing the two printing types for silicone items, there are several important factors to keep in mind. First, pad printing costs less, requires less production space, and wastes less ink. The main reason to choose screen printing is if you need to print 360° around a cylindrical object. When pad printing, the design should be less than 90° around the object. When multiple colors are used with both printing methods, the ink needs to be cured before another color is added. Pad printing is great for printing small logos or designs in one color. The more colors used, the longer the process will take. In order to print multiple colors using screen printing, you either need to clean the screen between colors, or use multiple screens. Screens are much larger than printing plates and therefore require more production space. This also means you will need a large sink or a hose with the stencil and screen area to wash. This process may need to be outsourced as it requires additional space and time which may not be feasible in your location. Also, since the ink needs to be mixed with a hardener before use, excess ink cannot be reused and needs to be discarded. When pad printing, excess ink can be stored in the sealed ink cup for 24 hours without damaging the ink quality. This makes the screen printing process more expensive than pad printing in the long run, not to mention the negative environmental impact of the extra waste. Because the ink needs to be mixed with a hardener before use, excess ink cannot be reused and needs to be discarded. When pad printing, excess ink can be stored in the sealed ink cup for 24 hours without damaging the ink quality. This makes the screen printing process more expensive than pad printing in the long run, not to mention the negative environmental impact of the extra waste. Because the ink needs to be mixed with a hardener before use, excess ink cannot be reused and needs to be discarded. When pad printing, excess ink can be stored in the sealed ink cup for 24 hours without damaging the ink quality. This makes the screen printing process more expensive than pad printing in the long run, not to mention the negative environmental impact of the extra waste.
The shape of the object and the number of colors used need to be considered when deciding whether to pad print or screen print on silicone. While one process isn't always better than the other, pad printing is much simpler when it comes to stocking materials, setting up and cleaning up your production space.
