The Three Best Ways to Make Pad Printing Plates
Automark Guide + Full Comparison
When it comes to pad printing, nothing affects print quality more than the pad printing plate—also known as a cliché. Many newcomers believe that all plate-making methods are similar or that the cheapest solution will “work well enough.” In reality, your pad printing plates determine print precision, registration accuracy, cliché life, and overall production efficiency.
At Automark, we provide different ways to create pad printing plates, whether you want the fastest laser-engraved plates, reliable UV-exposed photopolymer plates, or professionally outsourced clichés made for you. These are the three best ways to make pad printing plates.
Below is the definitive guide to pad printing plate-making methods, including workflows, costs, and how to choose the best option for your application.
1. Laser Plate Making – Fastest, Most Accurate, and Most Advanced
If you produce 20 or more pad printing plates per week, the TTN Cliche Laser is the most efficient and cost-effective long-term solution.
Our TTN Cliché Laser produces laser pad printing plates with unmatched precision:
Why Choose the TTN Cliche Laser?
- Engraves plates in just minutes
- 10× finer engraving beam than CO₂ lasers
- 10× longer lifespan than CO₂ laser systems
- Industrial 100,000-hour operating life
- Virtually maintenance-free
- Included filtration system
- Easy-to-use software and computer system
- Built-in registration fixture for perfect two-color pad printing plates
- Extremely consistent plate depth and detail resolution
Laser plate making eliminates films, washout, chemicals, and baking—making it the fastest and cleanest pad printing plate-making workflow on the market.
Includes: Fiber laser, software computer, fixture plate, air filtration
Starting Machinery Price: $15,000
Best For:
- Medium to high plate volume
- Clean, detailed artwork and fine-line printing
- Multicolor registration where accuracy matters
- Shops wanting the lowest cost-per-plate
2. UV Exposure System- Affordable, Accurate & Perfect for Beginners
The TTN UV Exposure units are the most economical and user-friendly way to make photopolymer pad printing plates. This method remains extremely popular due to its reliability, low cost, and excellent print quality.
What You Need:
- TTN UV Exposure Units — Start at $995
- Washout bin
- Cliché brush — $29.95
- Raster film — $87.50
- High-opaque CMYK printer (~$1,000+) – A great option for starters is the Epson P700 or P900
UV Pad Printing Plate Workflow
- Print raster film with dense black
- Expose photopolymer plate (15 minutes)
- Wash out image with cliché brush
- Bake plate (20 minutes)
- Ready to install on machine
Total production time is 35–40 minutes, but only 5 minutes of hands-on labor.
Compatible Automark Photopolymer Plates
- WS43 Water-Wash Plates — economical and easy
- ST52 Alcohol-Wash Plates — higher durability, sharper detail
These produce extremely consistent, high-resolution pad printing clichés at a fraction of the cost of laser systems.
Best For:
- Startups, small shops, or occasional pad printing plate needs
- Users wanting high-quality plates with low initial investment
- Those printing short to medium production runs
3. Outsource Your Pad Printing Plates – Fast, Accurate, Zero Setup
If you print infrequently or simply want the easiest option, Automark can produce professional pad printing clichés for you.
Just send us your vector artwork, and we handle everything:
- Artwork layout
- Proofing
- Film output
- Plate cutting
- Punching
- Exposure or laser engraving
Pricing starts at:
- $75 — one-color cliché
- $100 — two-color cliché
Automark plates can include multiple images, maximizing the value of each plate—ideal for short-run jobs or shops without plate-making equipment.
Best For:
- Businesses with low or irregular plate volume
- Users wanting perfect plates without any equipment
- Anyone who prefers hands-off pad printing plate outsourcing
.
Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
| If you want… | Use… |
|---|---|
| Fastest plate-making workflow | TTN Cliche Laser |
| Lowest upfront cost | TTN UV Exposure Units |
| Zero labor and guaranteed accuracy | TTN Outsourced Plates |
| Best detail and two-color registration | TTN Cliche Laser |
| Occasional plate production | Outsourced Plates or UV Mark |
Contact:
sales@automarkco.com
512.593.7100
For further information visit Automark’s website at www.automarkco.com or contact them directly at sales@automarkco.com or via phone at 512-593-7100.
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