Marking, decoration & colour · finish comparison
Ink Stamping vs Pad Printing
Ink Stamping and Pad Printing are both marking & decoration finishes; ink stamp is the lower-cost option ($).
Ink Stamping
Marking & decoration · $ · instant quote
Ink stamping transfers a fixed image from a rubber, polymer, or metal stamp onto a part.
Pad Printing
Marking & decoration · $ · instant quote
Pad printing transfers ink from an etched plate to a part with a flexible silicone pad.
When to choose which
Choose Ink stamp
Ink stamp is the pick when its strengths below matter more than Pad print's.
- Lowest setup for simple repeated fixed marks
- Typical cured film is about 3–8 µm
- Fast for inspection and lot-control marks
Choose Pad print
Choose Pad print when for finer graphics on curved surfaces.
- Prints on compound-curved and recessed geometry
- Produces a typical 5–10 µm cured ink film
- Supports a practical line width near 0.15 mm
What the numbers say
- Ink stamp is the lower-cost option ($).
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Ink stamp | Pad print |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 0 Minimal | 0 Minimal |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 35 Fair | 72 Very good |
| Lubricity | 10 Minimal | 10 Minimal |
| Cost | 5 $ | 12 $ |
Key numbers
| Property | Ink stamp | Pad print |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 3–8 µm | 5–10 µm |
| Electrical | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Colours | black, white, red, blue, custom ink | black, white, spot colours, custom colour |
| Relative cost | Budget ($) | Budget ($) |
| Added lead time | 1–2 working days | 3–7 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | Ink stamp | Pad print |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | Yes |
| Polymer | With care | Yes |
| Stainless Steel | With care | Yes |
| Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Brass | With care | With care |
| Copper Alloy | With care | With care |
| Glass | With care | With care |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | With care |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | With care |
| Titanium | Limited | Limited |
Specifications and drawing call-outs
Ink stamp
- ISO 2409 — Paints and Varnishes — Cross-Cut Test
INK STAMP INSPECTION CODE, BLACK, 3 MM CHARACTER HEIGHT, LOCATION ±1.0 MM; ASTM D3359 CLASS 4B MIN AFTER FULL CURE
Pad print
- ISO 2409 — Paints and Varnishes — Cross-Cut Test
PAD PRINT SYMBOLS, WHITE, 0.15 MM MIN LINE WIDTH, IMAGE 22 × 18 MM MAX, LOCATION ±0.30 MM; ASTM D3359 CLASS 4B MIN
Ink stamp vs Pad print — frequently asked
What is the difference between Ink stamp and Pad print?
Ink Stamping and Pad Printing are both marking & decoration finishes; ink stamp is the lower-cost option ($).
When should I use Ink stamp instead of Pad print?
Conversely: choose Pad print when for finer graphics on curved surfaces.
Is Ink stamp or Pad print cheaper?
Ink stamp is the lower-cost finish ($ against $ for Pad print) among the finishes FabDigit quotes. Both are priced per part with a lot minimum; the exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.