Pad printing is a great way to put a small logo onto a product. Text sizes under 1mm can be achieved clearly. Pad printing is the best way to put a logo onto a pen or a slightly curved object as the pad can flex slightly around the product.

Pad printing is extremely cost effective for quantities over 500 but the limits of pad printing are that it is only suitable for small print areas; areas smaller than 100mm x 100mm or so. Pad printing is also best restricted to 1 colour logos. It is possible to print up to 4 or 6 colours in a pad print or even photographic images but there are significant restrictions on artwork and products. Pens are the item most commonly pad printed.

Some products also require pre-treatment or post treatment to ensure print durability. Particularly plastics, as there are hundreds of different types of plastics not all of which readily accept the most common types of inks. Where possible metal products are put into an oven to quickly cure the ink. If a product has plastic components then the oven can't be used and the ink has to cure for 2 days or more before shipping is advisable and handling the products before the ink has fully cured can damage the print. This delay must be kept in consideration when working to tight deadlines.

Pad printing is very durable and long lasting, but it is not permanent on metals. Items that will be touched, rubbed or abused frequently (ie:keyrings) are rarely pad printed without an epoxy coating to protect the print. For a permanent durable marking on a metal item, engraving is the best way to achieve long lasting results.