COC (Cyclic Olefin Copolymer) and COP (Cyclic Olefin Polymer) are premium polymer materials increasingly replacing glass in medical and pharmaceutical applications.

They are crystal-clear, chemically resistant, biocompatible, and ideal for syringes, cartridges, and lab components.

However, from a printing perspective, these materials present a well-known challenge:
their extremely low surface energy makes reliable ink adhesion difficult to achieve.

 What makes printing challenging?

COC and COP have very low surface energy, which means:

• inks don’t wet the surface properly
• adhesion is poor without treatment
• standard printing solutions simply don’t work

That’s why many manufacturers avoid printing on these materials altogether.

Why pad printing is the right solution

Pad printing is perfectly suited for COC and COP parts:

• complex 3D shapes and small diameters
• fine details and micro text
• consistent, repeatable results
• controlled ink layers without smearing

When done correctly, the result is stable, industrial-grade printing.

How we make it work

We have proven expertise in printing on COC and COP:

✔ surface treatment for reliable adhesion
✔ specialized inks for low surface energy plastics
✔ precise pad printing process optimization
✔ adhesion testing (tape test, ageing, abrasion)
✔ experience with medical & pharmaceutical components

We don’t just make the ink stick — we make it last in real production conditions.

When does this matter?

If your project involves:

• medical devices
• pharmaceutical packaging
• transparent components
• strict cleanliness requirements
• complex geometries

COC/COP + pad printing is a powerful combination — and we know how to deliver it.

Contact us to discuss your application and printing challenges.