Pad printing is a technique that transfers ink from a silicone pad onto a swag item’s surface. Unlike flat printing methods such as DTG and DTF, pad printing can adapt to uneven surfaces, allowing you to easily customize items like pens, mugs, and even electronic or tech-related swag items.

What is the process of pad printing?

In pad printing, you must first create an etched design on a printing plate. Then, you need to fill it with ink and use a soft silicone pad to pick up and transfer the ink onto the swag item. Since the pad is flexible, it enables precise printing even on complex shapes that otherwise would be difficult to achieve through other decoration methods.

Pad printing is perfect for multi-material products but it’s only suited for single or limited-color designs due to its complexity. If you’re looking to print on some uniquely shaped swag items like keychains and phone cases, then pad printing is a decoration technique to consider.