Aesthetic cohesion like this is capitalized on by brands such as Citizen Brick who pair the pad printing method with a LEGO-like design style-even when their subject matter might be far from it.Ī few other companies that use pad printing include Phoenix Customs and Christo7108. You can typically feel the difference by running your finger over the printing. While both printing methods can yield high-quality results, UV printing leaves the ink slightly raised above the printing surface while pad printing will maintain a smoother profile. Despite this, pad printing is sought after by producers and collectors alike for the aesthetic cohesion and perceived quality it provides similar to official LEGO-printed pieces. From a business perspective, production is slower as well. Unlike UV printing, pad printing is only able to apply one color at a time which makes this process very time-consuming in comparison. When the silicone pad is placed in it, it receives the ink in the shape of the desired design which is then ready to be pressed onto your item. This etching acts as a reservoir for ink. The ink is captured on the pad via a plate-a metal sheet that has a design etched into it (hence the added expense).
In order to pad print a blank LEGO element, a press device with a silicone pad transfers the design by inking the pad then pressing it onto your desired object. I previously likened UV printing to your typical office printer, so if that is the case, then PAD printing is akin to working with rubber stamps. It is not as widely adopted by third-party companies because it is highly mechanical and expensive. Pad printing is the method that LEGO uses to create most of their printed elements.
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