Printing on Plastic
Customize Your Thermoformed Part with Unique Prints
When Should Plastic be Printed?
Printing on thermoformed parts belongs to the "off-mold decorations" category, meaning it is applied after the forming process. Due to the vast range of design and color options, printing is the ideal solution for intricate lettering, designs, branding, and corporate identity (CI) elements. Various printing techniques are used depending on the application area. You can print on plastic covers, trays, enclosures, and virtually anything thermoformed.
How can Plastic be Printed?
The two most common printing methods for plastic parts are screen printing and pad printing, each offering unique benefits:.
Pad Printing (Tampography)
- Uses a flexible silicone pad to transfer ink from an etched plate (cliché) onto the plastic.
- Ideal for printing on uneven or curved surfaces.
Screen Printing (Silkscreen Printing)
- Applies ink through a fine mesh screen pressed onto the plastic surface.
- Best for flat surfaces, though slightly curved surfaces can also be printed with adaptations.
Which Plastics can be Printed?
Printing is possible on a wide range of thermoplastics, though some materials require pre-treatment to enhance ink adhesion.
Some plastics naturally have a lower surface tension, which can make it difficult for inks to adhere. In such cases, it is advisable to carry out special pre-treatments such as cleaning, degreasing or the use of adhesion promoters to achieve better adhesion.
With the formary supply network we can print on:
- ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
- PC (Polycarbonate)
- PE (Polyethylene)
- PP (Polypropylene)
- And more...
Request an offer today and let us print your plastic parts!
Properties of Printable Plastics
Learn more about the characteristics of printable plastics to kickstart your thermoforming project.
Printing on Plastic – Key Techniques in Thermoforming
How It Works:
- A squeegee pushes ink through a fine mesh screen onto the plastic.
- Best suited for flat surfaces, but slightly curved surfaces can also be printed.
Advantages:
- Highly detailed designs.
- Thick ink layers for strong color coverage.
- Ideal for special color tones and metallic effects.
Other Surface Treatment Methods
Looking for alternatives to plastic printing? We provide all the essential information on other finishing techniques.
