Pad Printing on Plastic
While we offer a variety of product printing and decorating options for nearly any rigid substrate, we are most often contacted about pad printing for custom plastic injection molded parts. Pad printing is effective for most plastic parts manufactured through processes such as plastic injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding, extruding, vacuum casting, and rapid prototyping. Learn more about our custom plastic pad printing services!
Pad Printing on Plastic at Unique
At Unique Assembly & Decorating, we specialize in pad printing on plastic parts with any artwork, image, marking, or logo. We have experience in-house printing on flat, round, oval, concave or convex, painted or coated, recessed and raised, and even textured plastic parts. We have rich opaque pad print inks for clear, colored, and frosted plastic parts. We can clean and pre-treat your plastic parts to remove surface contaminates prior to pad printing. Depending on the ink used, we can also post-treat your plastic parts to ensure optimal ink adhesion.
Our pad printing on plastic has proven effective for common materials such as ABS, nylon, acrylic, polycarbonate, PVC, polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene and even more challenging plastics like acetal (Delrin / Celcon). We offer both single color pad printing or 1-color pad printing, and multicolor pad printing (i.e., multicolor spot images and 4-color process images) for plastic parts. Contact us today to learn more about our custom plastic pad printing capabilities.
Custom Plastic Pad Printing Services
Our custom plastic pad printing services at Unique Assembly & Decorating, Inc. include:
- Compatible for all types of plastic manufacturing processes
- Highest quality printing method for all artwork, images, markings, and logos
- Versatile product decorating for nearly rigid surface material and surface type
- Custom Color and PMS Color Matching
- Single Color Pad Printing
- In-Line Multicolor Pad Printing up to 5-color Spot & 4-color process) with perfect registration
Plastics We Print On
We offer both single color pad printing and multicolor pad printing (i.e., multicolor spot images and 4-color process images).
Acetal (Delrin / Celcon)
Delrin® is a thermoplastic material used in moving parts that require low friction and long wear life. Products made of Delrin® are tough, have high impact strength and high resistance to repeated impact. Additionally, Delrin® has high tensile strength and creep resistance and exhibits low moisture absorption. Its chemical resistance to hydrocarbons, solvents and neutral chemicals make Delrin® ideal for many industrial applications.
Delrin® – also known as Acetal Homopolymer (POM-H/Ertacetal H®) – parts are easily machined and its strength and high abrasion resistance make it a good replacement for metal if the full strength of metal is not required. Learn more about our custom plastic pad printing services!
Applications
- Gears
- Bearings
- Bushings
- Rollers
- Fittings
- Electrical insulation
- Electrical components
- Conveyor moving parts
- Automotive and fuel related parts
- Sliding and guiding parts
- Zippers
- Winter sports equipment
- Pump and valve parts
- Pocket knives
ABS
We can print on most plastic types, offering a wide range of product varieties. ABS, or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, is an opaque thermoplastic that does not need to be pre-treated. Relatively stiff and strong, it’s a cost-effective plastic type that is easy to print on. Additionally, it’s scratch-resistant and an easily recycled material, making it durable and better for the environment. Learn more about our custom plastic pad printing services!
Applications
- Medical Parts
- Automotive Componets
- Keyboard keycaps
- Electrical Componets
- Protective headgear such as helmets
- Musical instruments
- Plastic guards on wall sockets
- Protective cases for power tools
- Lego bricks and other toys
Polyester / Valox
At Unique Assembly & Decorating, we are the leading provider of product decorating services for rigid plastic polyester / valox products. With over 25 years of experience, we aim to provide the best quality results offering a wide range of printing and decorating services. Our dedication to our customers motivates us to complete the most complex projects in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner. We work with a range of customers, including contract manufacturers, OEMs, injection molders, and product manufacturers severing a variety of industries. We are often asked to pad print, screen print, or hot stamp on polyester / valox plastic parts. Learn more about our custom plastic pad printing services!
Nylon (PA)
Nylon, also known as Clean-pak and nylon C, is used for a variety of applications from reinforcement rubber, injection molded parts and more. It is exceptionally strong, relatively resistant to abrasions and moisture absorptivity, long lasting, resistant to chemicals, elastic and easy to wash. Nylon comes in different grades and can be extruded since it has a high melting temperature, making it perfect for injection molded parts and 3D printing. Learn more about our custom plastic pad printing services!
Applications
- Automotive Parts
- Power Tool Parts
- Kitchen Cookware
- Plastic Fasteners
- Machine Parts
- LED Parts
Acrylic
Unique Assembly & Decorating is one of the most knowledgeable and reliable companies in the industry for pad printing, screen printing, or hot stamping on Acrylic parts. With over 25 years of experience, we can decorate or print on almost any plastic material and surface with customers including product manufacturers, contract manufacturers, OEMs, and injection molders. We are in Downers Grove, IL and proudly serve customers throughout the country. Learn more about our pad printing on plastic services!
Polypropylene
Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic and is one of the most commonly used plastics in the world. The uniqueness of polypropylene lives in its elasticity, allowing it to be made into very thin pieces that can bend endlessly and not break, more commonly known as living hinges. An example of this would be the plastic top to your ketchup bottle. It’s a very versatile material that maintains excellent chemical resistance, toughness, fatigue resistance and electric insulation qualities. The plastically is typically opaque and can be recycled, making it very cost-effective. Although it’s one of the more difficult plastic surfaces to print on, Unique Assembly & Decorating can effectively print on both treated and untreated polypropylene. Learn more about our pad printing on plastic services!
Applications
- Medical components
- Plastic parts for automotive equipment
- Caps and closures
- Special devices like living hinges Household parts
- Storage containers
- Bottles and jars
- Consumer goods
- Household parts
- Consumer market packaging
Polyethylene (PE)
Polyethylene is a thermoplastic polymer that can be utilized in a wide variety of applications depending on the type. The two most common types seen in everyday applications are high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). HDPE is a rigid material that is used for items like plastic bottles and jars. While (LDPE) can also be used for plastic bottles and jars, it is also used for things like plastic bags and films. At Unique Assembly & Decorating, we only provide printing and design services for HDPE items. Common applications for HDPE are food and beverage use (milk cartons), laundry detergent bottles, garbage bins, and cutting boards. We have years of experience helping injection molders with printing on PE parts. Learn more about our pad printing on plastic services!
Polycarbonate (PC)
Polycarbonate is a type of plastic that is naturally transparent and lightweight. As it’s virtually unbreakable and has transparency like glass, it’s typically used in applications that require material to be see-through yet durable. Examples of this include eyeglasses or even bulletproof glass. It has remarkable longevity, making it cost-effective for the quality it delivers. Being heat and shatter-resistant makes it a popular choice for industries such as food and beverage, among other storage uses. The quality and versatility of the plastic material make it a popular choice for signage and printed retail displays. Learn more about our pad printing on plastic services!
Applications
- Electronic components
- Construction materials
- Automotive and aircraft components
- Medical tools
- Smartphone parts
Unique Assembly & Decorating Inc. can also print on other plastic materials considered too difficult to decorate or print.
Is pad printing the right choice for my plastic part?
We will help you find the best printing solution for your plastic product or part. Pad printing may be the right solution for your plastic parts if:
- Your product is made of a material requiring pretreatment, such as Polypropylene or Polyethylene, or a more difficult material to print on, such as Delrin, Acetal or Urea.
- The decorating area is raised or recessed.
- The decorating area has complex curvature, is concave or convex.
- The decorating area is near a vertical wall or vertical obstruction.
- The image to be printed is multicolor.
Our experienced staff will work with any manufacturer or assembler to find the most cost-effective solution for your high volume projects needing pad printing on plastic parts and services.
Project Gallery
Unique Assembly is able to print or decorate nearly any rigid surface – flat or cylindrical, concave or convex, raised or recessed, and painted or coated surfaces.
Have Questions?
We have the capabilities to work with companies across the US and are excited to work with you on your upcoming project!
Contact Us (Phone & Fax)
630-241-4300Find Us
Unique Assembly & Decorating, Inc.
2550 Wisconsin Ave,
Downers Grove, IL 60515