Abstract: A printing station for producing a layer of coloring for a contact lens, comprising a transport system to carry and transport a molding tool which comprises at least one contact lens forming mold, a pad unit comprising at least one pad, and a blade unit suitable to carry and ink a cliché with an ink. When in use the pad transfers an inked image from the cliché to the contact lens forming mold. The printing station further at least partially cures the inked image after it has been transferred to the mold and cleans the pad.

Abstract: The invention provides a printing station for producing colored contact lenses with high quality color images. The printing station of the invention comprises: (a) a transport system (1) to carry and transport a molding tool (2) which comprises at least one contact lens forming mold; (b) a pad unit (4) comprising at least one pad; (c) a blade unit (5) suitable to carry and ink a cliché (9) with an ink; wherein when in use the pad transfers an inked image from the cliché to the contact lens forming mold; d) curing means to at least partially cure the inked image after it has been transferred to the mold; (d) cleaning means to clean the pad/s (7). The printing station is preferably integrate in a partially or fully automated contact lens production line.