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Pad Printing Vs. PCB Laser Marking: Which to Choose?

Laser Marking

Promotional items are the key to successful marketing campaigns for businesses. For this reason, every business strives to get the best promotional item with a proper brand message for their company promotion. But most of them follow a difficult choice: whether to choose pad printing or PCB laser marking to print their brand message on the promotional items.

The choice of printing method significantly impacts the visibility and longevity of the logo, thereby affecting the effectiveness of the promotional item.

 

What are Pad Printing and PCB Laser Markings?

Pad printing and laser marking are two popular methods used for logo printing. The process of pad printing is a conventional technique that entails the transfer of ink from a silicone pad to the object. On the other hand, laser marking is a modern technique that uses lasers to mark products with high precision—the main difference lies in their workflow and print method.

Pad printing requires physical contact with the product, while laser marking is a non-contact process, offering increased speed, precision, and versatility. For print patterns, pad printing employs ink for transferring the design, while laser engraving utilizes heat to create a mark. With pad printing, multi-color printing is possible, which is not as permanent as PCB laser marking.

Laser Marking

Which Method Should You Choose

When deciding between Pad printing and laser marking machines, several factors come into play, including:

1. Applications

Both pad printing and PCB engraving have their unique applications. Pad printing is a versatile technique that can be applied to various surfaces, including those that are uneven. However, laser marking takes versatility a bit higher. It can be used on a variety of materials, including wood, ceramics, and more. This makes PCB laser marking a more flexible option for diverse industries.

2. Precision and Detail

In terms of precision and detail, laser marking is the clear winner. It offers superior precision, making it ideal for intricate designs. While capable of producing high-quality prints, Pad printing usually does not match the level of detail that a laser can achieve.

3. Durability and Longevity

The marks made by laser machines are highly durable and remain legible throughout the product’s life. This is because the PCB marking machine physically alters the material’s surface to create the mark. On the other hand, Pad printing, which uses ink, may fade over time, especially under harsh conditions.

4. Production Speed

For production speed, PCB laser marking is faster, thanks to its automated process. While pad printing is not slow, it usually does not match the laser marking speed, especially for large production runs.

5. Complexity of Design

A laser marking machine is the way to go if you have complex designs. It can handle complex layouts with ease due to the precision of the laser. Pad printing struggles with highly intricate designs.

 

KBF PCB Online Engraving Code Machine

With all the method selection criteria, it is easy to see that the PCB laser marking machine emerges as the preferred choice for businesses, and one such machine that stands out is KBF’s PCB laser marking machine.

KBF PCB Online Engraving Code Machine offers several advantages that make it a top choice for businesses looking for efficient and high-quality marking. Here is why companies like this machine:

  • Cost Effectiveness

The KBF PCB online engraving code machine has significantly lower costs than the same amount of labeling done by ink or chemicals, making it an economical choice for businesses.

  • Clarity of Label

The laser markings on PCBs create crystal clear markings that are easy to read by both the naked eye and digital scanners. This ensures that the information on the PCB laser machine is always legible and accessible.

  • Time-Saving

On top of that, a high-quality machine reduces the time spent on repairs and avoids delays in deliveries. PCB laser marking is an automated process that will save you time and labour by producing highly efficient results at the same time.

  • Easy to Use

The fully automated system allows you to handle the marking process without any difficulty. This ease of use reduces the learning curve and makes it a convenient choice for businesses.

  • Offer Durable Markings

Unlike ink markings and stickers that tend to lose legibility over time, laser marking is permanent and remains clear even after ten to fifteen years of use.

  • Usable on Various Surfaces

The KBF PCB online Engraving Code Machine is versatile and capable of marking a variety of materials, including woods, glass, ceramics, metal, and more.

  • Trusted by Big Brands

KBF is a trusted partner of many well-known companies, such as BYD, TCL, Samsung, ASUS, and more, which shows our quality and reliability. These credentials of KBF make us a reliable and ideal choice for businesses.

KBF PCB online engraving code machine

Conclusion

KBF Laser Technology Ltd. is a high-tech company with laser application technology at its core. Founded in 2012, we have extensive experience in laser machine technology and total automation solutions. With advanced technology and high-quality service, we cooperate closely with several global top 500 companies.