UV printers have rapidly become a standout choice for businesses looking to produce durable prints across a wide range of materials. As companies compare different types of printers, UV technology stands out by being able to handle complex designs and unconventional surfaces, which opens up new creative possibilities. In this article, we’ll explore how they work, what they’re used for, and their benefits.
Definition: UV printer
A UV printer uses ultraviolet (UV) light and UV-curable inks (containing photoinitiators) instead of heat or regular printing ink. The UV light instantly cures the prints to make them durable and permanent. A UV printer can print directly onto any object you desire, whether that be wood, canvas, printer paper, fabric, or even curved objects like a bottle. UV prints typically last around two years and are, contrary to common belief, not weatherproof but still more durable than prints from an inkjet or laser printer.
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Uses
With UV printers, you can let your imagination run freely as you can print graphics, textures, and patterns on numerous objects.
- Awards
- Bottles
- Canvas prints
- Drink coasters
- Glassware
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Keychains
- Laptop skins
- Leather
- Metal
- Mouse pads
- Notebook covers
- Phone cases
- Plastics
- Signs
- Skateboards
- Thermos cups
- Tiles
- USB flash drives
- Wood
UV printing
While UV printing can be done on numerous materials, some materials, like ceramics, glass, plastics, and metals, do require surface treatments, such as primers and adhesion, for better ink bonding.
A useful feature of UV printers is their ability to perform multi-layer printing. Some printers create raised prints by applying and instantly curing multiple layers of UV ink, which can be used to create stunning 3D effects or braille.
Although it is said that UV prints are water- and weatherproof, they are not completely immune to environmental factors and need a protective coating to truly achieve that.
To start UV printing, you need:
- A UV printer
- UV ink
- Your item or substrate
- The right software for your UV printer (RIP software)
- A print-ready design file
- Clear UV coatings or laminates (optional)
How it works:
- UV ink is applied.
- UV lamps immediately cure the ink.
- The ink forms a durable layer on the surface.
Types
There are several types of UV printers, which we’ll delve into below.
A flatbed UV printer is designed for flat substrates (canvas, tiles, phone cases, signs) that move straight through the machine to print a digital image on one side of the piece. The piece rides in and out on a moving tray, which must all be loaded and unloaded by hand.
A rotary UV printer (or cylindrical UV printer) acts as the opposite of a flatbed UV printer, as it prints images on cylindrical or curved objects. It uses a rotating attachment, known as a “rotary fixture,” that spins the item while the printhead moves across it. This way, bottles, candles, cups, tubes, and tumblers can be easily decorated.
Roll-to-roll or roll-fed UV printers print on flexible materials that come in rolls rather than sheets. The material, such as banners, fabrics, film, and vinyl, is fed from one roll through the printer and collected on another roll after printing. Since the ink immediately cures and dries, it can be instantly used, e.g., for labels, large-format graphics, or wallpapers.
A hybrid UV printer combines the capabilities of both flatbed and roll-to-roll systems in one machine. This means that it can print on rigid sheets (acrylic, foam board, glass, metal, wood) and on flexible roll media. This can be especially advantageous for productions that need both features without having enough space for two separate printers.
UV ink
When it comes to UV ink, there are two types: flexible and rigid. Flexible ink is ideal for materials that need to bend, such as leather, whereas rigid UV ink is best for hard surfaces like tumblers. If your UV printer gives you the choice between flexible and rigid ink, be careful in choosing the correct one for your print projects.
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UV printing vs. sublimation
Below, you can find a clear comparison between UV printing and sublimation.
Sublimation printing uses heat and pressure to turn solid sublimation ink into a gas (sublimation), which permanently bonds to polyester fibers or polymer-coated surfaces. The result is that a print becomes part of the material itself, e.g., for graphic tees. While different types of UV printers are compatible with flat or cylinder-shaped objects, sublimation only works on flat or slightly curved items. So, when it comes to printing material, UV printing is more flexible as you can use it on almost every surface or shape without needing a special coating.
Non-industrial UV printers are fast and easy to use when it comes to small projects; however, they can be slower than sublimation printers when it comes to bulk printing. Nevertheless, the UV printing process is simpler as it includes fewer steps due to the lack of a heat press and cooling time for the printed item.
For more information on sublimation printing, click on the button below.
Benefits & disadvantages
Below, you can find the benefits and disadvantages of UV printers.
Pros
- Fast production
- No heat press required
- Compatible with numerous surfaces
- More eco-friendly than other printers
- Some UV printers can print raised prints
Cons
- Very high maintenance
- Ink can be very expensive
- Extremely high initial investment
- UV print can fade without coating
FAQs
A UV printer can definitely be worth it for you:
- Sell custom products
- Plan to print on a variety of materials
- Need fast turnaround with minimal setup
- Want to offer raised, textured, or 3D-style prints
A UV printer uses ultraviolet light to harden special inks as they are printed. This allows it to print directly onto numerous materials, including acrylic, glass, plastic, and wood. UV printers can also print textures, raised effects, and even braille by layering cured ink.
UV prints are durable, especially if they are coated with a protective layer. For indoor use, they can last many years without noticeable fading, but since they can be affected by sun exposure, they can easily fade without that protective layer.
