INDUSTRIAL SILICONE PRINTING INK

AM-Si Silicone Printing Ink for Pad Printing & Screen Printing

AM-Si is a two-part silicone printing ink engineered for permanent decoration on silicone rubber parts.  AM-Si silicone printing ink is designed for pad printing on silicone rubber products where standard inks typically do not bond properly. Available in room-temperature cure and heat-cure versions, AM-Si delivers flexible, durable, high-opacity prints for silicone wristbands, keypads, watch straps, medical silicone components, consumer goods, and industrial silicone products.

Pad Printing & Screen Printing

One ink family for both major silicone decoration methods.

Room Temperature or Heat Cure

Choose the workflow that fits your production environment.

Glossy or Matte Finish

Specify the appearance that matches your product.

Pantone Color Matching Available

Standard, metallic, and matched color options are available.

Flexible. Durable. Built for Silicone Rubber.

Flexible Silicone-Based Ink

AM-Si is formulated as a flexible silicone ink that moves with cured silicone rubber parts after printing.

Excellent Adhesion to Silicone Rubber

Designed as an ink for silicone rubber where ordinary ink systems may crack, peel, or fail adhesion.

Room-Temp or Heat-Cure Options

Select room temperature silicone ink for oven-free workflows or heat cure silicone ink for faster production.

Standard, Metallic & Pantone Colors

Choose from 13 standard colors, 4 metallic colors, and Pantone color matching depending on requirements.

ENGINEERED FOR SILICONE RUBBER

Why Silicone Rubber Is Difficult to Print

Silicone printing ink is different from standard pad printing ink because silicone rubber requires a specialized ink system for proper adhesion. Silicone rubber has low surface energy, high flexibility, chemical resistance, and surface characteristics that can make ordinary inks crack, peel, or fail adhesion. AM-Si silicone rubber printing ink is formulated specifically for silicone rubber, allowing the printed image to stretch, resist abrasion, and perform more like the part itself after proper curing.
For manufacturers asking how to print on silicone rubber, the answer usually begins with a silicone-based two-part ink system, proper mixing, correct thinner selection, and a curing workflow matched to the production environment.

Ordinary ink sits on the surface.

AM-Si becomes part of the silicone printing system, helping the print flex and perform with the silicone substrate.
TWO CURE SYSTEMS

Choose the Right Silicone Ink Cure System

Automark offers two AM-Si versions depending on your production workflow, throughput targets, equipment, and curing requirements.

Room Temperature Cure

AM-Si RT Series

Room Temperature Cure Silicone Ink
  • Full cure in approximately 24 hours
  • Dry to touch in about 2 hours
  • No oven required
  • 12% AM-SiRTH hardener by weight
  • Up to 30% AM-SiT thinner for pad printing
  • Approximately 10% AM-SiT thinner for screen printing
  • Glossy or matte finish
Best for:
  • Lower-volume production
  • Shops without curing ovens
  • Prototype and short-run silicone printing

Heat Cure

AM-Si B Series

Heat Cure Silicone Ink
  • 180°C / 356°F for 3–5 minutes
  • 120°C / 250°F for 8–10 minutes with IR
  • 4% AM-SiBH hardener by weight
  • Fast production curing
  • Excellent printability
  • Glossy or matte finish
Best for:
  • Higher-volume production
  • Repeatable manufacturing
  • Shops with ovens or IR curing systems
TECHNICAL COMPARISON

AM-Si RT vs. AM-Si B

Compare the two silicone printing ink cure systems by cure method, hardener, thinning, production fit, finish options, colors, and printing method.

Specification

AM-Si RT

Room-Temp Cure

AM-Si B

Heat Cure

Cure Method

Room temperature (no oven needed)

Thermal oven or IR dryer

Cure Time

Surface-dry: ~2 hours
Full cure: 24 hours

180°C: 3–5 minutes
120°C (IR): 8–10 minutes

Catalyst

AM-SiRTH

AM-SiBH

Catalyst Ratio

12% by weight

4% by weight

Thinner for Pad Printing

AM-SiT — up to 30%

AM-SiT — up to 30%

Pot Life (after catalyzing)

~8 hours

~8 hours

Finish Options

Glossy or Matte

Glossy or Matte

Printability

Excellent

Excellent

Colors Available

13 standard colors + 4 metallic + Pantone matching

13 standard colors + 4 metallic + Pantone matching

Shelf Life (unmixed)

~6 months at 59–68°F (15–20°C)

~6 months at 59–68°F (15–20°C)

Best For

Operations without heat-cure equipment
Low-volume or batch runs

High-throughput production lines
with conveyor ovens or IR dryers

Automark AM-Si silicone pad printing ink prominently displayed on a black silicone spatula and white silicone swim caps, featuring the TTN logo, demonstrating excellent adhesion and flexibility.
PAD PRINTING ON SILICONE

Silicone Pad Printing Ink for Silicone Rubber Parts

AM-Si can be used as a silicone pad printing ink for silicone rubber parts where flexibility, adhesion, and durability matter. It is suitable for silicone wristbands, keypads, watch straps, medical silicone parts, and industrial molded silicone components. Pad printing typically uses up to 30% AM-SiT thinner depending on the application and print conditions.
  • Ideal for irregular shapes and molded silicone parts
  • Excellent for logos, icons, part markings, and branding
  • Works with properly selected pads, plates, and fixtures
  • Designed to stretch with the silicone part after cure
SCREEN PRINTING SILICONE PRODUCTS

Silicone Screen Printing Ink for Flexible Silicone Products

Silicone printing ink is different from standard screen printing ink because silicone rubber requires a specialized ink system for proper adhesion.

AM-Si is also suitable as a silicone screen printing ink for larger graphics, repeated patterns, and flat or flexible silicone products. Screen printing applications typically use approximately 10% AM-SiT thinner, with final adjustment based on mesh, artwork, and production conditions.

  • Good for larger printed areas
  • Suitable for flat or semi-flat silicone products
  • Available in standard, metallic, and Pantone-matched colors
  • Glossy or matte finish available
Various products demonstrating the versatility of Automark AM-Si silicone ink: a blue baby bib with a smiling baby face print, a dark grey remote control with white numbers, and a white watch strap with a blue logo, all showcasing durable and flexible printing.
APPLICATIONS

What Can Be Printed with AM-Si Silicone Printing Ink?

AM-Si is engineered for permanent decoration on a wide range of silicone rubber products used in consumer, industrial, medical, sporting goods, and wearable-product environments.

Silicone Phone Cases

Silicone wristbands, fitness bands, watch straps, and promotional bracelets with permanent logos and text.

 

Silicone Wristbands and Straps

High-precision printing solutions for medical devices, surgical instruments, diagnostic equipment, and regulated healthcare products requiring durable, repeatable marking.

Silicone Promotional Products

Any silicone promotional item — card holders, coin purses, USB covers — decorated with client logos and colors.

 

Silicone Swimcaps

Competition and recreational swim caps with team logos, sponsor marks, and athlete names.

 

Silicone Keypads & Keyboards

Silicone keypads, remote controls, and soft-touch keyboards requiring durable, legible character printing.

 

Silicone Seals & Gaskets (Industrial Marking)

Industrial silicone seals and gaskets requiring part identification, safety markings, or compliance labels.

 

Medical Silicone Components

Medical-grade silicone parts requiring precise, permanent marking that withstands sterilization cycles.

 

Pet Accessories

Silicone pet bowls, toys, and collars with personalization and branding that survives daily use and washing.

Silicone Bakeware & Kitchenware

Silicone bakeware handles, oven mitts, spatulas, and kitchen accessories with brand marks and usage instructions.

 
COLOR MATCHING

Standard Colors, Metallic Colors & Pantone Matching

AM-Si is available in 13 base colors and 4 metallic colors. The base colors can be mixed for Pantone matching, and custom Pantone colors or custom metallic colors may be formulated depending on project requirements.

White

Black

Bright Red
Pantone 2028 C

Fluorescent Orange

Peach Pink

Magenta
Pantone 221 C

Yellow
Pantone Yellow C

Fluorescent Yellow

Yellow Green
Pantone 7730 C

Fluorescent Green

Sky Blue
Pantone 2184 C

Ultramarine
Pantone 072 C

Phthalo Blue
Pantone 2757 C

Purple
Pantone 254 C

Clear

Gold +

Silver +

Bronze +

PROCESS DETAILS

Mixing, Thinning & Cure Details

Use the correct catalyst, thinning level, and cure schedule for the AM-Si version selected. Silicone inks should be fully cured before another color is printed over them.

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Catalyze & Thin

Mix catalyst at the correct ratio: 12% for room-temperature cure or 4% for heat cure. Add silicone ink thinner up to 30% for proper pad printing viscosity. Mix thoroughly before use.

Load Ink Cup

Fill your closed ink cup pad printing system with catalyzed silicone ink. Compatible with standard steel clichés and photopolymer plates.

Pad Print

Print onto silicone substrates using your pad printing machine. The ink transfers cleanly from cliché to pad to part with excellent release and opacity.

Cure

For room-temperature curing, allow 24 hours. For heat cure, use 180°C for 3–5 minutes or IR drying at 120°C for 8–10 minutes. Allow full cure before applying additional colors.

Room Temperature Cure

AM-Si RT

  • Catalyst: AM-SiRTH
  • 12% hardener by weight
  • Surface dry: about 2 hours
  • Full cure: about 24 hours

Heat Cure

AM-Si B

  • Catalyst: AM-SiBH
  • 4% hardener by weight
  • Bake cure: 180°C for 3–5 minutes
  • Alternative IR cure: 120°C for 8–10 minutes

Thinning

  • Use AM-SiT thinner
  • Pad printing: up to 30%
  • Screen printing: approximately 10%

Pot Life & Storage

  • Pot life: approximately 8 hours
  • Storage life: approximately 6 months
  • Store at 59–68°F / 15–20°C

Cure Inhibition Warning

Avoid nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur compounds because they may inhibit or prevent silicone ink curing. Confirm compatibility of materials, fixtures, and process chemicals before production.
DOCUMENTATION

Safety, Testing & Compliance Documentation

AM-Si silicone printing inks have documentation available for customers with compliance-driven requirements. Documentation is available for review where applicable; no medical, FDA, food-safe, or certification claim should be assumed without project-specific review.

All standard AM-Si colors comply with 15 individual safety standards, including requirements for food-contact materials, skin-contact products, and regulated industrial environments. This makes AM-Si an ideal solution for manufacturers needing compliant silicone pad printing ink across a wide range of industries.

15

North American Safety Standards

Passed by all standard AM-Si colors — independently verified by a third-party laboratory.

DOWNLOADS

Technical Data Sheets & Documentation

Request the appropriate technical data sheets and safety documentation for your AM-Si silicone printing ink workflow.

AM-Si RT Technical Data Sheet

Access technical details, usage guidance, and documentation support for your silicone rubber printing project.

AM-Si B Technical Data Sheet

Access technical details, usage guidance, and documentation support for your silicone rubber printing project.

AM-Si Safety / Test Documentation

Access technical details, usage guidance, and documentation support for your silicone rubber printing project.
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Silicone Printing Ink

Get answers about cure systems, thinning, pot life, Pantone matching, pad printing on silicone, screen printing silicone products, and cure inhibition.
Silicone rubber typically requires a silicone-based ink system. AM-Si is a two-part silicone printing ink designed for pad printing and screen printing directly onto silicone rubber parts.
Yes. AM-Si can be used as a silicone pad printing ink. Pad printing applications typically use AM-SiT thinner up to approximately 30%, depending on the part, artwork, and production conditions.
Yes. AM-Si can also be used as a silicone screen printing ink. Screen printing applications typically use approximately 10% AM-SiT thinner.
AM-Si RT cures at room temperature and reaches full cure in approximately 24 hours. AM-Si B is a heat-cure version designed for faster production curing using oven or IR heat.
Not always. AM-Si RT can cure at room temperature, while AM-Si B requires heat curing. The best option depends on production speed, equipment, and workflow.
AM-Si RT is dry to the touch in approximately 2 hours and fully cures in approximately 24 hours at room temperature.
AM-Si B can cure at 180°C / 356°F for 3–5 minutes or 120°C / 250°F for 8–10 minutes with IR.
Yes. AM-Si is designed to stretch and perform with silicone rubber parts after curing.
Yes. AM-Si is designed to be waterproof, abrasion resistant, flexible, and heat resistant after proper curing.
Yes. AM-Si is available in standard colors, metallic colors, and can be mixed for Pantone color matching depending on requirements.
AM-SiT thinner is used. Pad printing commonly uses up to 30%, while screen printing commonly uses approximately 10%.
Pot life is approximately 8 hours after catalyzing.
Silicone inks should generally be fully cured before another color is printed over them to ensure proper adhesion.
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur compounds can inhibit or prevent curing and should be avoided.
Common industries include medical devices, consumer electronics, promotional products, sporting goods, industrial components, wearable products, and molded silicone product manufacturing.

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Need Help Choosing the Right Silicone Printing Ink?

Automark can help you evaluate whether AM-Si RT or AM-Si B is the better fit for your silicone rubber part, production volume, curing process, and printing method.

Or call us directly: +1-512-593-7100  |  sales@automarkco.com

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TTN Universal 134 single-color pad printing machine with a 134mm ink cup, a robust industrial printer distributed by Automark.
TTN Universal 134 single-color pad printing machine with a 134mm ink cup, a robust industrial printer distributed by Automark.
TTN Universal 134 single-color pad printing machine with a 134mm ink cup, a robust industrial printer distributed by Automark.
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