Proto Labs Inc.

09/10/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/10/2025 15:02

Pad Printing vs. UV Printing: Comparing Post-Processing Options for Molded Parts

menu
person
chevron_leftBack
close
  • Services
    Services
    Injection Molding Service
    Plastic Injection Molding Liquid Silicone Rubber Molding Overmolding Insert Molding Family and Multi-Cavity Molding Prototyping Production Quality Secondary Operations
    CNC Machining Service
    CNC Milling CNC Turning Production Machining Threading Options Quality Finishing Options
    3D Printing Service
    Metal 3D Printing Stereolithography Multi Jet Fusion Selective Laser Sintering PolyJet Advanced Photopolymers Fused Deposition Modeling Large Format Quality Finishing Options
    Sheet Metal Fabrication
    Laser Cutting Punching Forming and Bending Fabricated Assemblies Prototyping Production Design Guidelines Quality Finishing Options

    Ready for Full-Service Production?

    We are your manufacturing partner to scale projects to production. Get complete program management with a team who can tailor our capabilities to optimize cost, quantity, and quality control of your production order.

    Explore Production
  • Materials
    Materials
    Material by Service
    Injection Molding
    Molded plastic prototypes and production parts
    CNC Machining
    Machined prototypes and production parts in as fast as 1 day
    3D Printing
    Additive manufacturing for quality plastic and metal parts
    Sheet Metal
    Flat and formed sheet metal for custom parts
    Material by Type
    Plastics
    Various grades of plastics across molding, machining, and 3D printing
    Metals
    Extensive library of metal materials for machining, sheet metal fabrication, and 3D printing
    Elastomers
    Flexible materials for injection molding and 3D printing
    Colors
    View color options for each manufacturing service
    Customer-supplied Resin
    Guidelines on how to supply custom resin for your next project

    New 3D Printing Materials!

    Tough Black (Loctite Henkel 3843) and Ceramic-Filled (BASF 3280) are two new advanced photopolymer materials now available for 3D printing.

    Learn More
  • Industries
    Industries
    Industries We Serve
    Medical
    Accelerated development of medical devices and health care products
    Aerospace
    High-quality components from early prototyping to hot-fire testing to launch
    Automotive
    Rapid prototyping and ramp-up production for traditional, electric, and autonomous vehicles
    Robotics
    Complex end-use production parts for robotics and automation applications
    Consumer Electronics
    Functional prototyping and on-demand production of consumer and computer electronics parts
    Industrial Equipment
    Durable jigs, fixtures, and other components to streamline assembly and reduce production costs
    Industry Resources Medical Injection Molding Medical Materials Aerospace Manufacturing Guide Aerospace Machining EV/AV Automotive Guide Industry Case Studies
    Industry Certifications Medical: ISO 13485 Aerospace: AS9100 Defense: ITAR

    Protolabs x NASA

    We partnered with NASA to machine a crowdsourced, generatively designed part that was delivered in only 36 hours so the design could be presented at the PowerSource Global Summit.

    Read Story
  • Resources
    Resources
    Design Tips
    Advice on common manufacturability issues and material selection
    Toolkits
    Resources to optimize your parts from prototyping to production
    Guides and Trend Reports
    In-depth guides and reports on a range of digital manufacturing topics
    Partnerships
    Real-world success stories from innovative companies
    Design Aids
    Get physical tools and resources to improve part design
    Events & Trade Shows
    Join industry events and on-demand or live webinars
    Blog
    Your source for design resources, in-depth features, and industry news
    Videos
    Explore our facilities, technologies, material selection, and more
    FAQs
    Answers to common questions across our service lines
    Educators and Students
    Resources for the classroom and aspiring engineers
    Manufacturing Glossary
    Quick definitions of common manufacturing terms and acronyms
    Help Center
    Get assistance with our digital quoting and manufacturing analysis platforms
    Product Life Cycle
    Leverage Protolabs across the product life cycle for prototyping and production

    Design Cube

    Our helpful design aid demonstrates part features that are too thin or too thick, bad bosses, right and wrong ribs, and other considerations to be mindful of while designing parts for injection molding.

    Request Design Cube
  • About Us
    About Us
    Protolabs Network
    Factories x Network What is Protolabs Network? Quality Assurance at Network
    Our Company
    Why Protolabs? Online Quoting and Manufacturing Analysis ISO Certifications Investors Charitable Giving and Community Impact Careers Locations Press
    Contact Us

    Proto Labs, Inc.
    5540 Pioneer Creek Dr.
    Maple Plain, MN 55359
    United States

    P: 877-479-3680
    F: 763-479-2679
    E: [email protected]

    Manufacture like a Pro

    From custom prototyping to end-use production, we're your trusted manufacturing partner helping you drive product development and innovation forward.

    Learn More
  • search close
search
  • Deutschland
  • España
  • France
  • Italia
  • Polska
  • Rest of Europe
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
Search
search
Locationexpand_lessexpand_more
  • Deutschland
  • España
  • France
  • Italia
  • Polska
  • Rest of Europe
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
Sign In Get Instant Quote
Sign In Get Instant Quote
chevron_leftBack
close
search close
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Pad Printing vs UV Printing
Injection Molding
September 10, 2025

Pad Printing vs. UV Printing: Comparing Post-Processing Options for Molded Parts

Compare the advantages and applications for pad printing and UV printing on your injection-molded parts

By Protolabs

There are a few factors to consider when choosing between UV and pad printing for your injection-molded parts. Before choosing, it's important to define each method and outline its strengths and tradeoffs. That guidance will help you decide when to use one over the other to meet your needs.

What is Pad Printing?

Pad printing is an industrial printing process that uses a flexible, custom-shaped silicone pad to transfer an inked image from an etched metal or plastic plate called a cliché onto a surface. It was invented in the 1960s and has become ubiquitous as a printing method for most industries. Pad printing supports a wide range of solid colors, with precise Pantone matching commonly available through ink systems.

Advantages and Limitations of Pad Printing

Pad printing is a traditional, widely used process that excels at smooth, crisp, solid graphics and accurate Pantone color matching. Durability is generally comparable to UV printing in similar use conditions, and specialty inks can address niche needs such as certain food-contact requirements.

One notable limitation of pad printing is that it cannot produce gradient effects because it relies on transferring ink from a tray via a pad. It also requires more setup-cutting a cliché and building fixtures to hold parts-so set up and changeovers are slower. This has implications for batch size and serialization, with pad printing being more convenient for large batches requiring identical prints. Geometry of the injection-molded part matters: If curvature is too great, the pad may not reach the surface evenly and the graphics can distort. Notably, material options are often narrower for pad printing due to adhesion constraints.

Primary Applications of Pad Printing

As an established printing technique, pad printing is used across a wide range of industries, including medical, automotive, cosmetics, electronics, and aerospace. It's tough to find an industry where pad printing is not used; even the keys on your keyboard are likely pad printed!

Some common applications of pad printing for injection-molded parts are branded graphics, instructional text, and indicator marks.

What is UV Printing?

UV printing is a digital, non-contact process that deposits ink onto parts and instantly cures it with ultraviolet light for a durable result. UV printing was invented in the late 1970s but didn't become popular until positioning techniques were perfected in the 2000s. Because the print head does not touch the part in UV printing, fixturing is often unnecessary, which allows for rapid setup and straightforward changeovers.

Advantages and Limitations of UV Printing

UV printing minimizes upfront setup-with no clichés or dedicated fixtures-so it's well suited to quick iterations, frequent graphic changes, and small batches. It supports gradients and more complex imagery than pad printing. Results are consistent, and overall cost can be lower than pad printing for short runs. Because a physical cliché is not needed, UV printing allows for variable data such as serialization numbers.

UV printing does have some limitations as it can face adhesion challenges on rubbery substrates or with incompatible material chemistries. It shares similar size and curvature constraints with pad printing, in which graphics may distort if parts are too curved. In addition, primers or sealers may leave a slight texture on the surface, which could create an issue for parts that require an absolutely smooth finish. Because the output of a UV printer is dot-based (commonly up to 1200 DPI resolution), there can be a faint pixelation effect-though usually this is not visible to the human eye.

Finally, because UV printing is a newer technology than pad printing, some companies may be less comfortable using it.

Primary Applications for UV Printing

UV printing serves the same core needs as pad printing, such as marking, branding, and instructional text. It's especially useful for creating gradient or photographic effects, which are popular in toys and consumer products, and for variable data applications such as serialization or versioning.

Design Considerations for Printing on Injection-Molded Parts

Both methods are sensitive to surface geometry: excessive curvature or deep recesses can stretch or degrade graphics, and maximum printable areas are similar. Material selection affects adhesion for either process, with rubbery substrates more challenging for both UV printing and pad printing. It's best to stick with materials with proven results. Fixturing is typically required for pad printing due to physical contact, whereas UV printing usually does not, and UV prints may have a slightly more tactile feel.

When to Use Pad Printing vs. UV Printing

Choose pad printing when:

  • Established standards specify pad printing
  • Exact Pantone color matching and extreme smooth, crisp, solid graphics are the priority
  • Setup costs can be spared over larger production runs

Choose UV printing when:

  • Gradients or complex imagery are needed
  • Printing variable data such as serialization and want fast changes with minimal setup
  • Production small quantities or prototypes

Both methods deliver consistent quality and similar durability. While industry momentum favors UV printing due to its flexibility, pad printing remains a mainstay in situations when tradition, standards, or specific color requirements prevail.

Need Print Why
Gradients or photographic effects UV printing Supports gradients and complex imagery via digital process
Exact Pantone-matched solid colors Pad printing Delivers precise solid-color matching and smooth fills
Small quantities or prototypes UV printing Minimal setup; fast, low-cost changeovers
Large, stable production runs Pad printing Higher setup amortized over volume; cost-competitive at scale
Variable data or serialization UV printing Easy to change artwork and print unique IDs per part
Fast turnaround without tooling UV printing No clichés/fixtures; rapid setup
Smoothest, least tactile surface Pad printing Typically leaves a smoother feel than UV (which can be slightly raised)
Tight brand color tolerance on solids Pad printing Excellent consistency for solid Pantone colors
Rubbery substrates or tricky chemistries Pad printing (for testing) UV adhesion can be challenging; pad and/or pretreatments may perform better-test first
High curvature or deep recesses Neither ideal (evaluate) Both have similar curvature/depth limits; consider redesign or alternative marking
Cost sensitivity on short runs UV printing Lower upfront cost; generally cheaper for small batches
You Might Also Like...
Finishing Options for Injection-Molded Parts
Plastic Part Marking using Pad Printing and Laser Engraving
Tagged: post-processing

Stay Connected!

Stay tuned for more updates!

United States of America Afghanistan Åland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia, Plurinational State of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Côte d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Réunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin (French part) Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten (Dutch part) Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan SuriName Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe
Get Updates
I agree to receive email messages containing service updates and Design Tips from Protolabs and its affiliates

Proto Labs, Inc.
5540 Pioneer Creek Dr.
Maple Plain, MN 55359
United States

877-479-3680
[email protected]

Services
Injection Molding
CNC Machining
3D Printing
Sheet Metal Fabrication
Protolabs Network

Company

Why Protolabs?
Careers
Procurement
Locations
Charitable Giving
Investors

Resources

Design Tips
Blog
Guides and Trend Reports
Webinars and Trade Shows
FAQs
Partnerships
Design Aids
Product Release Notes

Helpful Links

Sample Quote
Press Kit
ISO Certifications
ITAR Registration
myRapid
Privacy Policy
Conditions of Use
Purchase Order Conditions and Use
© Proto Labs 1999-2025 |Change your consent
Proto Labs, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer
Proto Labs Inc. published this content on September 10, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 10, 2025 at 21:02 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]