Last Updated on 2 years by soonxindisplay
As the technology standards continue to advance at a rapid pace, many of us assume that the printing world has been left way behind, especially with the rise of social media. But still, printing has a long way to go as technology is fueling it and not letting this industry to sit pretty.
UV printing is a unique method of digital printing utilizing ultraviolet (UV) light to dry or cure the ink, adhesives, or coatings almost as soon as it’s hit the paper, or aluminum, foam board, or acrylic. Among other technologies, ultraviolet (UV) printing has quietly appeared, and has become more and more companies adapting to make a difference? One of the printing technologies.
What is UV Printing?
As printing technology evolves UV printing is fast becoming the new industry standard. Many people will ask what is UV printing technology.
UV printing is a form of digital printing that uses ultra-violet lights to dry or cure ink as it is printed. As the uv printing machine distributes ink on the surface of a material (called a “substrate”), specially designed UV lights follow close behind, curing – or drying – the ink instantly. Because the UV lights cure any printed ink immediately, the dots of wet ink do not get a chance to spread out once printed, resulting in much finer detail.
\Also, UV ink printing is weather-resistant and offer increased resistance to fading. This curing process is more environmentally friendly as it produces few VOCs, odors, and heat. UV curing also allows the flatbed printer to be used with nontraditional materials like acrylic or aluminum. Below list a sample of acrylic block to show how printing work.
- Vibrant direct UV print behind glass-like acrylic
- 1/4” CNC precision cut acrylic
- PVC Protective backer
Acrylic available in various thicknesses and non-glare
Understanding UV Printing
The Benefits of UV Printing
Flexibility
With UV printing, you can print on almost any surface, uv printing on metal, acrylic, pvc and foams. even to do uv 3d printing on fabric.
That flexibility translates to hundreds of uses at the local print shop level – small retail items, book covers, clings, cards, large banners, the list is almost endless. And with this newfound ability to print on traditionally non-porous surfaces like Styrene or hard boards, customers are starting to pay attention.
High Print Qualities
No more double passes through the press, no more re-runs. UV printing allows for high-gloss levels, vibrant colors, an array of coatings, and printing that’s crisp and has a nice finished look. That’s because UV inks tend to sit on top of the printed surface, rather than being absorbed into it. The result is sharper and crisper.
Highly durable
UV printing is also more resistant to scratches, wear and tear, and sun exposure than its traditional printing counterparts. Customers love that a large promotional piece isn’t going to become tired and sun-worn after a few weeks.
Faster operations, higher productivity
With UV printing, the ink is dry the moment it comes off the press. No more waiting for the ink to dry, no more waiting to do proofs, no more ghosting of images on the page above it. Instead, press checks are quick and you can move on to binding and finishing faster. Not only is it faster for your clients, but it saves you time too.
UV Printing vs Screen Printing
Cost Comparison
Traditional screen printing requires film plate making, and its own printing cost is relatively expensive. The screen printing dots cannot be eliminated, and mass production is required to reduce costs.
UV flatbed printers don’t need such a complicated layout design, only simple picture processing, after calculating the relevant values, you can directly use the software to operate, and you can print a product, inkjet printer, does not limit the minimum number, from some From a perspective, it also saves time and cost.
If you need to compare more Screen Printing and UV printing version, please click here to find more acrylic glass block product effects of applying two printing technologies.
Process Comparison
The screen printing process is more complicated. It is based on accessories and chooses plate making and printing processes according to different printing materials. There are many specific process types. Different printer materials have different processing, and the overall operation is quite troublesome.
The process of UV flatbed printer is relatively simple, just place the material replaced by the printer on the rack, fix the position, and simply locate the selected high-definition picture in the software, and then start printing. The overall printer model for different materials is the same, but a small number of materials require coating and varnish effects.
Comparison of Printing Effects
The screen-printed product pattern has poor firmness, is easily scratched off, and is not waterproof. After printing, it takes a period of time to air dry to completely dry. The patterns printed by UV flatbed printers have strong water-resistance and scratch resistance.
Environmental Protection Comparison
Silkscreen printing is a traditional printing process, which is relatively harmful to the production environment and the external environment. The unpleasant smell and the discharged waste ink cause serious pollution. The UV flatbed printer uses a new type of UV ink,
The best part is that UV printing is eco-friendly and green technology as there is no VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emission during the printing process. Companies need to spend less on infrastructure to set up LED printing units. Moreover, the consumers get a better quality product with a glossy and shiny finish.
Five industries for universal UV printing applications
Decoration Industry
Such as art glass, decorative ceramics, wooden crafts, furniture, fake metal buttons, ceilings, curtains, etc. This market is characterized by high manual processing costs, low production efficiency, and many short-run businesses. Digital inkjet printing is most suitable.
Signage Industry
Rigid sign production in advertising, transportation, power, and other industries is also a beneficiary of universal UV printing. Compared with the traditional method: screen printing or inkjet printing on the film-like material with adhesive and then paste it on, which not only reduces the process but also reduces the cost.
UV flatbed printers feature some of the most up-to-date printing technology on the market today. By bringing this technology to SOONXIN DISPLAY, we’re bringing the very best in custom signage to our customers. As a result, we are now the largest POS displays company with this printing capability in house. It’s exciting stuff! While many smaller sign shops offer UV printing services, includes like clear acrylic sign holder, wall mount acrylic sign holder, acrylic table top sign holder and custom any size with printing content. This makes us a one-stop-shop for any all business displays you might need!
Exhibition Industry
The production of POP panels used in on-site sales promotion, outlet display, museum and exhibition building, etc., use a universal UV printer to directly print KT panels, acrylic panels, plexiglass panels which inser the poster display stand like below, etc. It reduces the problems of laminating, color fading and, foaming in the past of traditional printing, and at the same time saves a lot of labor. Learn more stand up poster stand, please contact us any time.
Packaging
Product personalization is a big business globally and digital UV printing offers a great opportunity for you to meet this demand, increase product sales, and stay competitive UV printing in the food packaging industry has been fruitful.
UV inks get cured during the printing process leaving behind no harmful solvents that can contaminate the food inside the packaging. More and more food manufacturers across the globe have started using this technique for food packaging while maintaining high-quality standards when it comes to customized packaging of food items.
UV printing isn’t the little-known secret of the printing world anymore; customers are starting to ask for it by name. They want that speed, durability, high print quality, and surface flexibility that ultraviolet printing can offer. Don’t get left behind.
