Custom Pad Printing Service

Product Overview

We finish pad printing and screen printing on curved and flat surfaces in our own coating line, so the part is moulded, decorated and inspected without leaving the factory. That matters because most coating defects are caused by the moulded surface underneath, and controlling both is the only way to keep the finish consistent.

What the finish has to survive

• Adhesion: cross-hatch and tape test per the agreed specification
• Salt spray and humidity exposure for exterior and under-hood parts
• UV ageing and colour fastness for parts in daylight
• Abrasion and hand-cream resistance for parts that are handled daily

Process

• Moulded surface inspected and any witness marks polished out first
• Flame or solvent pre-treatment where adhesion requires it
• Base coat, effect coat and clear coat applied and cured
• Colour checked against the master panel under a controlled light source

Decoration

• Single and multi-colour pad printing, including curved surfaces
• Screen printing for logos, scales and graphics
• Laser engraving for part numbers and 2D codes
• In-mold labelling where the graphic must survive heavy handling

Material is selected to your drawing. The grades listed are the ones we run most often for this type of part; we confirm the choice at DFM rather than assuming it.

Specifications

Related Custom Services

• Injection molding of the part being finished
• High-gloss and mirror cavity work in S136 for plating-grade surfaces
• Texture and grain work for soft-touch and matte finishes
• Assembly and packing into finished goods