How to Make Custom Lego Minifigures : Pad VS UV Printing

Today, we’re diving deeper into our series on LEGO custom minifigures, focusing on the two main printing techniques: pad printing and UV printing. We’ll compare their processes, costs, and implications for collectors and customizers.


Pad Printing vs. UV Printing: The Basics

What is Pad Printing?

Pad printing is the gold standard for LEGO, used even by the official LEGO Group. It involves:

  1. Plates with Designs: A plate (one per color) holds the design.
  2. Ink Transfer: Ink is applied to the plate, picked up by a silicone pad, and transferred to the minifigure.
  3. Repetition: This process repeats for every color, surface, and figure, making it meticulous and time-consuming.

For example, a single custom figure with 5 colors on multiple surfaces might require dozens of plates, driving up the cost and production time. However, the result is highly durable, vibrant, and precise prints.

pad printer

What is UV Printing?

UV printing is a modern alternative that works similarly to a standard printer but uses UV light to cure ink directly onto the figure:

  1. Digital Design: A design is uploaded to the printer.
  2. Automated Process: The figure is positioned, and the printer lays down ink across multiple colors and surfaces in one go.

This method is faster and more cost-effective, making it ideal for smaller runs or detailed, multi-colored designs.


Key Differences Between Pad and UV Printing

Feature Pad Printing UV Printing
Durability Extremely durable and resistant to wear. Slightly less durable, with potential for fading.
Cost High setup costs due to plates for each color. Lower cost for small batches or one-off designs.
Design Limitations Limited to a few colors per pass. Unlimited colors in a single pass.
Production Speed Slow, requiring manual alignment and repetition. Fast, automated, and efficient.

Why Collectors Prefer Pad Printing

Many LEGO enthusiasts argue that pad printing offers a higher-quality finish closer to official LEGO products. The texture, color accuracy, and durability are unmatched, making it the go-to choice for brands like Clone Army Customs, which specialize in small, high-quality runs.


Why UV Printing is Still a Game-Changer

For smaller customizers like AV Figures, UV printing provides flexibility and affordability. They can experiment with intricate designs without the upfront costs of pad printing plates. While some collectors claim UV prints feel less premium, the overall quality depends more on the design than the method.

UV printing, benefiting from digital output, excels in producing high-quality colors, especially for intricate and complex designs. In contrast, pad printing doesn’t always achieve consistent color results. For example, Arealight often struggles with color consistency, particularly with orange, making the quality highly dependent on the seller’s expertise.

One major advantage of UV printing is its durability. The print layer is relatively thick, ensuring it doesn’t wear off easily unless deliberately damaged. Pad printing, on the other hand, is noticeably less durable. Additionally, the unique texture of UV prints can be seen as a strength. For instance, AV leverages this feature in his recent Spiderman figures, where the texture creates a distinct and arguably more accurate effect.

UV printing is also ideal for one-off, custom figures. I had a custom clone figure printed a few months ago, and the results were impressive. However, pad printing is better suited for standardized designs, such as clones with consistent base templates, which is one reason CAC has achieved significant success.

Despite its strengths, UV printing has some limitations. It is best suited for flat surfaces; printing on curved or uneven surfaces often results in blurry edges or limited coverage. Additionally, achieving 360° printing is more challenging due to alignment difficulties. While it’s not impossible—AV has done an excellent job with it—it’s not as straightforward as with pad printing.

Overall, UV printing has a solid place in the market and proves extremely useful in many cases. While pad printing is generally superior in quality, it’s far less common. This rarity ensures I wouldn’t avoid buying something simply because it’s UV printed. In my opinion, UV printing is undoubtedly better than decals. A combination of a UV-printed body and a decaled helmet often provides the best results.

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