The doctor portion of the ink cup (22) of a pad printing machine (10) is formed of a polymeric composite which has high compressive strength and high resistance to chemicals, notably to printing inks. The polymeric doctoring portion is tapered and defines a narrow distal end surface which circumscribes the open end of the cup (22) for doctoring engagement which an opposed plastic gravure surface (17). The doctoring portion may be a separate ring element (24) suitably mounted at the open end of the cup body or it may be a unitary part of the cup (22). In a preferred embodiment, this doctoring portion is a ring (24) formed of a polymer composite reinforced by carbon fibers and which is permeated by lubricant particles or granules of graphite.