Silkscreen & Pad Printing
Pad printing for irregular 3D surfaces and silkscreen for large flat areas. Custom marking, branding, and functional ink deposits on adhesive tapes, films, and converted parts.
Overview
ALS Tape offers two complementary printing methods for adhesive tapes, films, and converted components. Pad printing transfers ink from an etched metal plate via a silicone pad, making it suited to irregular and three-dimensional surfaces where direct contact printing is not practical. It delivers micro-precision detail at high production volumes, though the printable area is limited to approximately 6 by 6 inches per impression. Silkscreen printing pushes ink directly through a stencil mesh onto flat or low-profile surfaces, providing excellent coverage for large print areas up to 24 by 24 inches with vibrant, durable ink deposits. Setup cost for silkscreen is lower for short runs. Method selection depends on part geometry, required print area, production volume, and ink thickness.
Process Options
Pad printing via silicone pad transfer from etched metal plate — suited to 3D and irregular surfaces.
Silkscreen printing via direct stencil mesh transfer — suited to large flat print areas.
Multi-color printing for complex marking and branding requirements.
Functional ink printing for conductive traces, indicators, and specialty marking.
Supported Materials
Adhesive tapes and converted tape parts
Film and foam components
Die-cut and kiss-cut parts with irregular geometry
Flat sheet and roll-format materials
Typical Applications
Custom branding and logo marking on tape and film products
Part identification and compliance marking on converted components
Functional ink deposits for conductive or indicator applications
Safety and warning marking on industrial tape formats
Color coding for assembly and line-side identification
Material Groups and Delivery Support
FAQ
When should pad printing be chosen over silkscreen?
Pad printing is the better choice for irregular, curved, or three-dimensional part surfaces where a flat stencil cannot make consistent contact. It also supports micro-precision detail for small print areas.
When should silkscreen be chosen over pad printing?
Silkscreen is preferred for large flat print areas up to 24 by 24 inches where vibrant, thick ink deposits are needed. It also has a lower per-unit setup cost for short production runs.
What is the maximum printable area for each method?
Pad printing covers approximately 6 by 6 inches per impression. Silkscreen can cover areas up to 24 by 24 inches per print pass.
Need a Converting Partner?
Silkscreen & Pad Printing
Share your drawing, dimensions, material preferences, or downstream assembly requirements. ALS Tape can help align fabrication methods with delivery format.