Marking, decoration & colour · finish comparison
Pad Printing vs Screen Printing
Pad Printing and Screen Printing are both marking & decoration finishes; pad print is the lower-cost option ($).
Pad Printing
Marking & decoration · $ · instant quote
Pad printing transfers ink from an etched plate to a part with a flexible silicone pad.
Screen Printing
Marking & decoration · $ · instant quote
Screen printing pushes ink through a patterned mesh onto a part.
When to choose which
Choose Pad print
Choose Pad print when for small compound-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
Choose Screen print
Choose Screen print when for broad flat graphics.
- Deposits an opaque 10–25 µm ink film
- Economical for repeated medium-to-large graphics
- Supports spot colours and high-opacity white ink
What the numbers say
- Pad print is the lower-cost option ($).
- Pad print is the thinner coating (5–10 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
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 | Pad print | Screen print |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 0 Minimal | 0 Minimal |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 72 Very good | 75 Very good |
| Lubricity | 10 Minimal | 10 Minimal |
| Cost | 12 $ | 15 $ |
Key numbers
| Property | Pad print | Screen print |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 5–10 µm | 10–25 µm |
| Electrical | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Colours | black, white, spot colours, custom colour | black, white, spot colours, custom colour |
| Relative cost | Budget ($) | Budget ($) |
| Added lead time | 3–7 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 | Pad print | Screen print |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | Yes |
| Polymer | Yes | Yes |
| Stainless Steel | Yes | 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
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
Screen print
- ISO 2409 — Paints and Varnishes — Cross-Cut Test
SCREEN PRINT LOGO AND LEGENDS, WHITE, 0.20 MM MIN LINE WIDTH; ADHESION PER ASTM D3359, CLASS 4B MIN
Pad print vs Screen print — frequently asked
What is the difference between Pad print and Screen print?
Pad Printing and Screen Printing are both marking & decoration finishes; pad print is the lower-cost option ($). Pad print is the thinner coating (5–10 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
When should I use Pad print instead of Screen print?
Choose Pad print when for small compound-curved surfaces. Conversely: choose Screen print when for broad flat graphics.
Is Pad print or Screen print cheaper?
Pad print is the lower-cost finish ($ against $ for Screen 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.