Screen printing
Ink is pushed through a mesh onto a flat surface. It gives dense, solid colour and it holds a clean edge, which is why it is the standard for a printed logo on a box or a bag.
It needs a flat or gently curved surface. On a tight curve, a recessed panel or a corner, the screen cannot make even contact and the print breaks up.
Pad printing
A silicone pad lifts ink from an etched plate and lays it onto the surface. Because the pad deforms, it reaches into curves, recesses and small hollows that a screen cannot.
The trade-off is ink density. A pad lays a thinner film, so a solid block of colour usually needs two passes and still reads lighter than screen.
Multiple colours
Each colour is a separate screen or plate and a separate pass, with registration to hold between them. Two colours is routine; four on a small curved part is where cost and risk both rise.
Where a logo has many colours, a printed and applied label is often the better answer than printing directly.
Surface preparation
Ink adheres to some materials and sits on top of others. Lacquer, coated board and leatherette all take ink well; untreated hide and some coated textiles need a primer or a different method.
We test adhesion on the actual material at sample stage, not on a similar one.
Where each one goes on a box
In practice a single job often uses both: screen on the flat lid and the bag, pad print on a moulded insert or a curved fitting. That is normal and it is planned at drawing stage.
At a glance
| Method | Where it wins |
|---|---|
| Screen | Flat surfaces, solid dense colour, bags and lids |
| Pad | Curves, recesses and small parts a screen cannot reach |
| Two colours | Routine on either, with registration held |
| Many colours on a curve | Usually better as an applied printed label |
Frequently asked questions
Which gives stronger colour?
Screen printing. A pad lays a thinner ink film, so a solid block usually needs two passes and still reads lighter.
Can you print on a curved surface?
Yes, with pad printing. A screen cannot make even contact on a tight curve.
How many colours can you print?
Each colour is a separate pass with registration between them. Two is routine; many colours on a small curved part is where it gets difficult.
Will ink stick to any material?
No. We test adhesion on your actual material at sample stage rather than assuming from a similar one.
Tell us what you need
Tell us the piece, your brand and the quantity you have in mind. We’ll send photos of our work and one clear, all-in quote.