Full Version: Pad Printing

From: JHayes55 [#1]
 1 Mar 2007
To: ALL

I have a friend who needs to buy a pad printing setup - the have a order for 6000 souvenir bats and should be getting additional orders. They are wanting to purchase a pad machine - probably - instead of shipping to someone else to do it.

Does anyone have experience in which pad printing manufactures might be best to look at for a quality machine and service? I know that I can google a bunch of them up but I was looking for a recommendation to pass along to them.

Thank You.

From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#2]
 1 Mar 2007
To: JHayes55 [#1] 1 Mar 2007

Joe,

I've seen them in action, but don't know what makes one better than the other.

Coast Graphic Supply (CGS) sells pad printing equipment and supplies. Jim Cagnina is always good for a straight answer to a straight question.

CGS
Phone: 805.642.5585
Fax: 805.642.2236

EDITED: 1 Mar 2007 by DGL

From: JHayes55 [#3]
 1 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#2] 1 Mar 2007

Thanks, but check your number - that one goes to a fax.

From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#4]
 1 Mar 2007
To: JHayes55 [#3] 1 Mar 2007

Joe,

That's funny.

Last time I looked (seconds ago) both numbers were there. ;-)

From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#5]
 1 Mar 2007
To: JHayes55 [#1] 1 Mar 2007

Frank with Chewbarkas had a brand new pad printing system for sale on eBay. That would be a great opportunity for your friend to save a buck and help out a forum member.

I'm not sure what its capabilities were, but it might be worth a call.

EDITED: 1 Mar 2007 by DATAKES

From: Mike (MIKEN) [#6]
 1 Mar 2007
To: JHayes55 [#5] 1 Mar 2007

Joe:
These people have been around a while. have seen them a many shows but haven't any info on their equipment. Ask for Mo.
www.printa.com

From: precisionlaser [#7]
 1 Mar 2007
To: JHayes55 [#1] 1 Mar 2007

Hi Joe

About two weeks ago, I did a little research on this subject with Printa and was impressed with their setup. I particularly liked the auto-inking setup and the general quality look of their engineering. They have a number of different ways to set it up.

I also have a friend who would like to sell a Press-A-Print pad printer, so if you'd like his contact info, PM me and put him in contact with you. I don't think this setup is auto-inking though.

From: logojohn [#8]
 1 Mar 2007
To: ALL

The problem with high volume marking is the hugh monetary
disasters that can occur if errors happen.

I think Roy did an article many years ago about the top ways to bankrupt a business, one of which was in-house silkscreening. If I remember right it was because if an error happens on a large order it could bankrupt the whole operation. Maybe Jeanette or someone who remembers can correct me or add comments.

We outsource hugh amounts of ASI products and sometimes the salespeople get careless since they do it every day. . . not getting proofs or verifying quality of products or that the customer will accept them. . .
anybody interested in several hundred unmarked ceramic black cigar ashtrays that we can't return and the customer didn't like?

If you get into volume marking of any kind be very sure to get written approval and that your are dealing with a customer that will and is able to pay.

Also what happens if you think you did a good job and a week later the customer calls and says the impint is coming off - on 6000 bats!

I am not saying it can't or should not be tried, but just be careful and start slowly.

EDITED: 1 Mar 2007 by LOGOJOHN

From: LipChip [#9]
 2 Mar 2007
To: JHayes55 [#1] 2 Mar 2007

We work with medium to large companies in the ASI market, and the lead pad printing machines made here is the U.S. are....

http://www.printexusa.com (great forum for pad printers)

http://www.inkcups.com/

It certainly takes time and effort to become good at pad printing. Study, study, study, learn and practice until you become good at it.

Good luck!

From: JHayes55 [#10]
 2 Mar 2007
To: ALL

Thanks to everyone for their help I have passed along the info to my friend.

From: LARRY (CENTURYBADGE) [#11]
 2 Mar 2007
To: JHayes55 [#1] 3 Mar 2007

I have owned two pad printing machines. One was an import from the Orient and other a domestic system. The import cost around $3,000.00 and the domestic a high volume system around $50,000.00 Both were a nightmare. It takes high volume of the same item to make it worthwhile. The change over time and set up for different items will kill you. We started with the cheap machine and thought it was us because we were receiving lots of orders but couldn't get them out. We than purchased the autotmatic system as we had one account that promised us large orders fo the same item. Many accounts wanted to order from 100 to 1000 of an item and you just can't come out with those quantities because of the set up time required and getting the right imprint. After we purchased the larger machine looking forward to 25m up orders our customer found they could purchase same in China for a almost nothing. So look hard and heavy before purchasing pad printing equipment as it is not like buying a laser engraver. Engraving will allow you to do one or 100 but pad printing requires high, high volume, long runs and good support and equipment.
Larry

From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#12]
 2 Mar 2007
To: LARRY (CENTURYBADGE) [#11] 8 Mar 2007

Larry,

I have heard so many of those pad printing nightmares.

Even in my promotional product business, I try to stay away from pad printed items. In many cases, not all, I'm just not thrilled with the imprint quality, which means the customer isn't either. I try to warn the customer about this imprint method, especially on smaller imprints. I also provide them some examples of what quality of the imprints we have received in the past.

After being in the business for a while I have a better sense of which products do print well with this method and which do not. Another good thing is that I've learned who does nice work and who does not.

EDITED: 2 Mar 2007 by DATAKES

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