Abstract: A method for operating a pad printing system includes receiving a removable pre-filled ink cup on a doctor assembly, orienting the removable pre-filled ink filled cup on the doctor assembly, and dispensing ink from the oriented removable pre-filled ink cup. A removable pre-filled ink cup is provided for a pad printing system including an ink retention portion pre-filled with ink, and a doctor assembly orientation portion formed on an outer portion of the retention portion, wherein the removable pre-filled ink cup is configured to deposit ink on a cliché device via a doctor assembly mated with the doctor assembly orientation portion.

Abstract: A pad for use in pad printing includes an inner core including a first set of physical characteristics. In addition, the pad includes an outer contact pad disposed on the inner core, the outer contact pad including an ink contact surface, the outer contact pad including a second set of physical characteristics, wherein the first set of characteristics is different than the second set of characteristics.