Introduction
You may already know that there are differing forms of digital printing. One cutting-edge printing form that’s in high demand across various industries is UV printing.
Today, this printing form is a revolutionary technology that offers manifold benefits over conventional printing.
Here, we’ll cover all the noteworthy aspects of UV printing. You’ll learn the workings, benefits, and how to make money with this game-changing printing technique.
Finally, we’ll answer your common inquiries about UV printing.
So, let’s delve in.
What is UV Printing?
UV Printing (fully known as Ultraviolet Printing) is a variant of digital printing. It employs ultraviolet (UV) light to dry or cure the ink as it’s printed onto the surface.
You see that the printer distributes the ink on the material’s surface. When this occurs, specially designed UV light “cures” or “dries” the ink instantaneously. Thus, the UV light acts as a catalyst during this printing process.
This printing technique makes use of a special UV-curing ink. It allows the ink to print on wide-ranging materials (often referred to as substrates). You see that the UV-curing ink prints directly onto the substrate. During this process, the ink turns from liquid to solid state on UV light exposure.
The outcome of this printing process is a durable, high-quality print. It’s also resistant to fading, scratching, and water damage. That makes such printing suitable for use in varied industries like advertising and packaging.
Benefits of UV printing
As you can see, UV printing can be called the future of printing. It offers manifold benefits as compared to traditional printing. Some noteworthy benefits include:
1. Faster than traditional printing
This digital printing type is much quicker than traditional printing. There’s no need to wait for the ink to dry. The UV ink dries almost instantaneously during the printing process.
Thus, it leads to faster job turnover and efficiency and increases project capacity. Furthermore, quicker drying times eliminate the need for added aqueous coatings to protect the prints.
2. Enhanced vibrancy
UV printing enhances print vibrancy. It employs ultraviolet light to cure the ink as it prints instantly.
That results in durable prints with sharper and more precise colors and details. Furthermore, UV-cured inks are resistant to scratching, fading, and weathering.
3. Incredibly versatile and flexible
UV printing is incredibly versatile and flexible, allowing printing on varying materials. Some of these include:
- Traditional materials like paper, plastics, cardboard, and more
- Non-traditional materials like ceramics, wood, glass, metal and more
- Advanced materials like silk
- Irregular or textured surfaces
That versatility makes this printing type ideal for differing industrial applications like gift packaging.
4. Eco-friendliness
This printing form is known for being eco-friendly. It’s because the UV inks and the UV curing process emit almost no VOCs together. By VOCs, we mean Volatile Organic Compounds.
In contrast, conventional printing methods typically release harmful solvents into the atmosphere while drying.
5. Cost-effectiveness
UV printing can provide cost savings as it provides quicker drying time. You can print more within the desirable time owing to this. It also lessens labor costs.
How Does UV Printing Work?
After looking at the fundamental principles of such printing, let’s explore how it works. Briefly, it can be divided into the following steps:
1. Preparation of Ink
UV inks are specially made for this printing technique. These inks comprise a photoinitiator that is liquid until UV light exposure.
UV inks are classified into pigment and dye types. They also include solvent, water, and oil types. Thus, varied machine types need varied inks to be chosen.
2. Printing
The UV printer’s printhead undergoes back-and-forth movement. The aim is to apply ink onto the substrate, akin to a normal printer. It deposits the ink in precise patterns. It then forms sharp versions of the desirable image or text.
Right after this ink application to the substrate, it goes through a UV light source. This source emits high-intensity UV rays. For this purpose, UV printers generally have a built-in UV lamp or LED light array.
3. Ink Curing
UV light interaction with the photoinitiators in the ink begins polymerization (a chemical reaction). That process allows the ink to cure and harden instantly onto the substrate. Thus, it doesn’t evaporate, aiding to avoid spreading on the printed material.
Main types of UV printing
Here are some main types of such printing services:
1. UV Flatbed Printing
In this printing type, a UV printer directly prints onto flat surfaces. It’s the best option for rigid materials like acrylic, metal, foam boards, etc.
2. UV Roll-to-Roll Printing
In this printing type, a UV printer prints on a material roll. It’s ideal for printing large-scale graphics on banners, fabrics and more.
3. UV DTF Printing
UV DTF printing is short for Ultraviolet Direct-to-Film Printing. It’s the latest, cutting-edge printing procedure that has revolutionized the design industry. It involves a UV DTF printer.
In this printing method, UV-curing inks are applied directly to a film. It’s then transferred onto various substrates. You can see that it’s unlike UV printing, which prints onto substrates directly.
The UV DTF Printing method is a source of enhanced flexibility. It can be applied to a comparatively wide range of substrates. It includes both uneven and curved surfaces.
This printing method combined UV printing and a direct-to-film transfer procedure. Learn the difference between UV printing and UV DTF printing.
What can you do with a UV printer?
As you know, UV digital printing is enormously versatile. Almost whatever you can think of, you can create it with UV print. Can ordinary UV printers be used for UV DTF printing? Click here to get the answer.
A myriad of business types use this printing method for application in their merchandise. The following are a few examples of customized things that can be made via this printing type:
- Cellphone, tablet and laptop cases with custom-printed graphics
- Customized computer mouse pads
- Apparels like T-Shirts and Sweatshirts
- Candles, Lanterns and Candleholders
- Customized Golf balls
- Wall and Door Signs
- Rigid Foam Boards
- Glassware, cups, mugs and water bottles
- Personalized stationery items like pens, pencils, markers and crayons
- Notebooks, Diaries and Bookmarks
- Holiday decoration items like Christmas ornaments
- Keychains and Lanyards
- Customized acrylic blocks
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are flatbed printers so expensive?
A flatbed UV printer can be very pricey. There are various reasons for this:
- LED lights (which emit the UV spectrum for ink curing) are expensive to produce.
- The specialized UV-curing ink is pricey to fabricate.
- The advanced technologies that the UV flatbed printers comprise further raise their costs.
- Ongoing costs for ink and UV flatbed printers’ maintenance further raise expenses. Yet these costs can vary between differing manufacturers and printer models.
What materials can UV printers print?
UV printers can print on a wide variety of materials, including:
- Paper
- Plastics
- Wood
- Ceramic
- Metal
- Glass
- Leather
- Acrylic
- Cardboard
- Stone and slate
- Cloth
With this digital printing form, you can typically print on flat, cylindrical, or rolling surfaces.
How long does UV printing last?
UV prints possess an outdoor durability of up to two years without fading. If placed indoors, these prints can last for three years or more.
You can also laminate the UV prints. It’s the application of a thin plastic layer to the printed material. Consequently, these prints can last up to five years or more without fading. It can also guarantee durable and sharp print results.
How do I make money from UV printing?
You read earlier that the costs of UV printing equipment are high. Despite this, you can make money with profit and begin a lucrative business through it. Most business owners reflect on some following entrepreneurial directions from where to start:
1. Personalized and customized products
You can make UV-printed personalized and customized products. These products include laptop skins, smartphone cases, and water bottles, to name a few. Customers like having distinct items that are according to their interests and personality.
The market for personalized products is growing. It’s one of the most profitable and everyday applications of such printing type.
2. Home décor
Another profit-making niche to explore with your UV printer is home décor. You can create customized UV-printed photo frames, wall art, canvas prints, and more.
Homeowners always seek distinct ways to decorate their households; such printing makes it possible.
3. Customized apparel
You can further provide customized apparel services via UV printing. It’s by printing on T-shirts, hoodies, etc. Thus, such printing allows for durable and vibrant prints on textiles as per consumer satisfaction.
4. Advertising Printing
You can start your advertising printing business through UV printing. It’s because large-sized UV printers can quickly print on a large area. For example, you can provide high-quality banners and posters using such printing type.
What are the cons of UV printing?
Such printing form has its share of downsides, some prominent of which are:
- UV printers and UV-curing ink can be pricey.
- UV lamps emit UV light that can damage the eyes and skin. Thus, operators must be cautious and adopt protective equipment.
- While such printing applies to diverse materials, some substrates need special coatings or primers. The purpose is to ensure appropriate adhesion and curing. Compatibility testing may be needed for this.
- The UV curing process can generate heat energy. That can be warping or damaging to heat-sensitive materials.
- The equipment used in this printing form necessitates regular maintenance and cleaning, especially UV lamps. Additionally, the replacement of a UV lamp can be costly.
What is the distinctness between UV printing and normal printing?
You can see that UV printing and conventional printing differ. UV printing employs UV light to dry ink instantly upon application to the surface.
Conversely, conventional printing is reliant on ink drying via evaporation or absorption. That can give rise to smudging. It also leads to the release of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). It’s because conventional printing uses solvent inks and typically prints on paper.
That implies UV printing is much quicker, environmentally friendly, and versatile than conventional printing.
Is UV printing the same as sublimation?
UV ink printing is not the same as sublimation printing. In essence, UV printing is a single-step technique. Here, the UV-curing ink dries instantaneously with built-in UV light.
Contrary to this, sublimation printing is a two-step method. It necessitates external heat for ink drying, which is time-consuming. UV printing is quicker than sublimation printing.
Moreover, UV printing can be used on virtually any surface, such as wood. Sublimation printing is generally used on synthetic fibers such as polyester. Thus, sublimation printing is typically employed in textile industries.
Conclusion
We hope you have plentiful information about UV printing by reading this guide.
We covered everything from its working principles to advantages to types.
Reflect on all the aspects before using and making money through a UV printer. Opting for the right UV printer is also noteworthy for getting your returns on investment.
