Coates Pad Printing Inks
Industrial Pad Printing Inks & Custom Colour Formulation
From standard single-pack workshop inks to high-adhesion 2-component systems for glass, medical devices, silicone rubber, and untreated polyolefins. Every shade is formulated and batch-mixed in-house at our Sunbury-on-Thames facility using our computerised C-Mix 2000 dispensing system for exact Pantone, RAL, and custom colour matching.
TP 300 Series
The UK workshop benchmark for all-round versatility. Fast physical drying with a high-gloss finish across standard industrial plastics.
- Substrates: Rigid PVC, PMMA, Polycarbonate, Wood
- System: 1-component (optional hardener for extra resistance)
- Finish: High-gloss, quick physical air dry
TP 218 Series
High-demand 2-component industrial formulation providing extreme mechanical, chemical, and solvent wipe resistance.
- Substrates: Coated metals, thermosets, hard plastics, treated PE/PP
- System: 2-component (Hardener TP 219)
- Performance: Superior abrasion & industrial chemical resistance
TP 400 Series
Formulated without aromatics, cyclohexanone, or BPA. Fully certified for biocompatibility and strict consumer safety standards.
- Compliance: USP Medical Class VI & GS Mark / Toys (AfPS GS 2014)
- Substrates: PC, PMMA, PA, treated PP/PE, metals, PU
- System: 1-component or 2-component (satin gloss finish)
TP 318 Series
Specialist 2-pack epoxy ink system engineered for exceptional adhesion and scratch resistance on difficult inorganic substrates.
- Substrates: Glass, ceramics, chromium, nickel & gold plated metals
- System: 2-component (Hardener TP 219/VCH or TP 219)
- Advantage: Silicone-free formula suitable for reflective top-coatings
TP 313 Series
High-gloss, fast-evaporating ink designed for high-speed multi-colour cycle runs on technical plastic mouldings.
- Substrates: ABS, SAN, Polystyrene, Acrylic, Rigid PVC
- System: 1-component (can be used with hardener)
- Advantage: High tack speed for rapid wet-on-wet printing
TP 340 Series
High-opacity formulation engineered for exceptional hiding power on dark mouldings and technical automotive components.
- Substrates: Polyamides (PA), Polyacetal (POM with pre-treatment), PUR
- System: 1- or 2-component flexible system
- Advantage: Rich pigment load and high weather resistance
TP/PP & TP/PP-A
Formulated for direct printing onto untreated polypropylene without pre-treatment. TP/PP-A offers enhanced printability and rotation system suitability.
- Substrates: Non-treated Polypropylene (PP)
- System: 1-component physical quick drying
- Finish: Semi-gloss with good flexural elasticity
TP 253 L Series
Special solvent-based 2-component ink range formulated exclusively for silicone rubber products requiring oven heat curing.
- Substrates: Silicone rubber (wristbands, swim caps, keypads)
- System: 2-component + thinner/retarder (Oven cured at 160°C / 15 mins)
- Advantage: Exceptional elasticity, stretch resistance & gloss
Substrate Quick Reference Guide
Target recommendations for your production materials. For the full multi-tier Coates matrix, download the guide above.
| Material / Substrate | Primary Recommended Ink | Ink System | Key Processing Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Mouldings & Devices | TP 400 | 1- or 2-Component | USP Medical Class VI certified, BPA & aromatic-free |
| Silicone Rubber (Wristbands, Keypads, Caps) | TP 253 L | 2-Component (Solvent-Based) | Requires hardener + thinner adjustment; oven cured at 160°C / 15 mins for cross-linking | Polypropylene (PP) - Untreated | TP/PP TP/PP-A | 1-Component | Direct printing with no corona/flame pre-treatment required |
| Glass, Ceramics & Plated Metals | TP 318 TP 218 | 2-Component | Use Hardener TP 219/VCH; oven-curing enhances final chemical keying |
| ABS, Polystyrene (PS) & Acrylic (PMMA) | TP 300 TP 313 | 1-Component | No pre-treatment required; rapid physical air drying |
| Polycarbonate (PC) & Rigid PVC | TP 300 TP 400 | 1- or 2-Component | Use mild thinner VD 10 to eliminate stress crazing on PC |
| Pre-treated Polypropylene (PP) & Polyethylene (PE) | TP 400 TP 218 | 2-Component | Corona, flame or plasma treatment recommended (> 42 mN/m) |
| Polyamides (Nylon), POM & Polyurethane (PUR) | TP 340 TP 400 | 2-Component | Flame pre-treatment required on POM (Delrin/Polyacetal) |
Unsure which ink grade matches your mouldings?
Send your sample parts to our Sunbury-on-Thames facility. Our technicians conduct cross-hatch adhesion wipe tests, flame-treatment trials, and exact C-Mix 2000 colour matching.
Speak to an Ink SpecialistFrequently Asked Questions: Pad Printing Inks
Which ink can print directly onto silicone rubber products?
Coates TP 253 L is a specialised solvent-based 2-component ink formulated specifically for silicone rubber items such as wristbands, swim caps, and electronic keypads. Adjusted with hardener and thinner/retarder, it cures through chemical cross-linking during oven baking at 160°C for 15 minutes, providing exceptional elasticity and stretch resistance.
Can I pad print onto Polypropylene without flame or corona pre-treatment?
Yes. Coates TP/PP and TP/PP-A are 1-component solvent-based inks developed specifically for non-treated polypropylene (PP). For higher chemical or mechanical resistance, pre-treating the polyolefin and using 2-component inks like TP 400 or TP 218 is recommended.
Which pad printing ink is certified for medical devices and toy safety?
Coates TP 400 is certified according to USP Medical Class VI and complies with the GS mark (Category 1) under AfPS GS 2014:01 PAH and European toy standard EN 71-3. It contains no aromatics, cyclohexanone, or BPA.
What is the best pad printing ink for glass, ceramics, and plated metals?
Coates TP 318 with Hardener TP 219/VCH provides superior adhesion and scratch resistance on glass, ceramics, and gold, chromium, or nickel plating. Its silicone-free formulation allows downstream reflective or adhesive coatings.
How does Tampo Ltd’s C-Mix 2000 colour matching service work?
Using the computerized C-Mix 2000 dispensing system in Sunbury-on-Thames, Tampo Ltd formulates custom shades to exact Pantone, RAL, or customer swatches with precise batch-to-batch repeatability and rapid UK delivery.