A Complete Guide to UV Printing
At VKF, we pride ourselves on producing high-quality UV prints of all types and sizes, to complement the vast array of point-of-sale, display and advertising aids we supply for your business. But what exactly is UV printing and why is it the best option when it comes to marketing your products and services?
What is UV printing?
Also known as ultraviolet printing, UV printing is a printing process carried out using UV-curing ink. The ink can be printed onto a variety of different surfaces – including paper, metals and plastics – before being dried or cured with ultraviolet light. The surface of the material to be printed on is often referred to as the substrate.The result of the UV printing process is a high-quality, durable print that is resistant to fading, scratching and water damage.
How do UV printers work?
The special, UV-curing ink used in the UV printing process contains photo-initiators, which react when exposed to ultraviolet light. The print head of the UV printer moves back and forth to apply the ink onto the printing substrate, much like a normal printer. It deposits the ink in incredibly precise patterns to form sharp renditions of the desired image or text.UV printers typically have a UV lamp or LED light array built into them, which serves to emit UV light directly onto the ink as it is printed. Therefore, as the UV ink is printed onto the substrate, it is immediately exposed to UV light, which causes the photo-initiators in the ink to undergo an instant chemical reaction, hardening or curing the ink onto the substrate. In other words, the curing process is almost instantaneous, meaning the ink doesn’t have time to spread or bleed further into your materials. This results in a sharper, higher-quality print that is highly resistant to fading, scratching and water damage.
As you can see, the built-in UV light source is essential for curing the ink. The intensity and wavelength of the ultraviolet light can be adjusted to match the specific ink and substrate being used. Some UV printers also have a built-in cooling system to prevent the substrate from overheating during the curing process.
What materials can be printed with UV printing?
UV-curing inks can be used to print on a wide variety of materials, including plastics, metals, glass, wood, ceramics and, of course, paper. In fact, the range of materials that can be UV printed is constantly expanding, as new UV-curable inks are developed and tested. This makes UV printing ideal for producing all kinds of marketing materials ideal for promoting your business.Here are a few of our favourite examples:
Plastics
UV printing is commonly used to print on plastics, including PVC, polycarbonate and acrylic. This makes it ideal for a variety of different marketing purposes, from plastic signs and packaging to point-of-sale displays.
Metals
UV printing can be used to print on metals, including aluminium, stainless steel and brass. As such, it is ideal for creating nameplates, labels and long-lasting, flexible pavement signs.
Glass
Another material that works well in UV printing is glass, whether flat or curved. This allows you to create a range of different, practical and stylish designs.
Wood
From plywood and MDF to solid timber, UV printing is commonly used to print on wood. This makes it particularly great for creating unique signage, as well as for personalising your sustainable POS marketing solutions, like wooden business card holders and leaflet stands.Paper
Of course, paper products had to make their way onto the list. Whether coated or uncoated, UV printing can get the job done, without smudging, bleeding or seeping through. Indeed, the fast-drying UV inks used are ideal for all your brochures, flyers and product packaging needs, as well as for creating quick-and-easy posters to be displayed at your event or slotted into your pavement signs.
Ceramics
Ceramics are just one example of the more unusual materials that UV printers can print on. From tiles and dishes to custom vases, the UV printing process can be used to create a variety of personalised gifts and promotional items.
Fabrics
Finally, UV printing is the ideal solution when it comes to printing on fabrics, thanks to its quick-drying, smudge-free results. Use UV printing to create branded apparel, large-scale banners and advertisement flags for outdoor events.
What are the advantages of UV printing?
UV printing boasts several advantages over traditional printing methods:
Faster printing speeds
Because the UV light built into UV printers dries the ink almost instantaneously, UV printing is much quicker than other digital printing methods.Sharper image quality
The quick drying speeds offered by UV printing mean that the ink doesn’t have time to spread or bleed. This results in sharper, higher-quality imagery to be truly proud of.
Long-lasting prints
UV prints are vibrant, resistant to fading and able to withstand exposure to the outdoor elements. As such, they will last much longer than traditional prints.
Wider range of materials
UV printing is much more versatile than other printing methods, allowing you to print on all kinds of surfaces and materials. Examples include plastics, metals, glass, wood, paper, ceramics and fabrics.
Environmentally friendly
UV printing is more environmentally friendly than other types of printing, as it produces fewer VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and less hazardous waste.Cost-effective
UV printing can prove more cost-effective than other types of printing methods, because the prints produced don’t require additional coatings or laminations. Being able to print faster also reduces labour costs.All colours of the rainbow
UV-curing inks come in all possible colours of the rainbow, producing bright and vibrant hues that are difficult to achieve with traditional printing methods.Is UV printing the same as digital printing?
UV printing is a specific type of digital printing. Nevertheless, it is much more beneficial than other digital printing methods, owing to its versatility, sustainability and unrivalled results, in terms of both vibrancy and longevity.What are the alternatives to UV printing?
Whilst there are many alternative printing methods available on the market, UV printing still proves one of the most advantageous.
What’s the difference between UV printing and solvent printing?
Solvent printing uses solvent-based inks that evaporate into the air, which can release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and be harmful to the environment. UV printing, on the other hand, uses UV-curable inks that are cured by ultraviolet light and do not release VOCs into the air.
What’s the difference between UV printing and sublimation?
Unlike UV printing, which cures or dries the ink using UV light, sublimation is the process of transferring dye onto the material using heat and pressure.Whilst UV printing is used for direct printing onto a variety of substrates, such as plastic, metal, glass and paper, sublimation is only used for printing on polyester-based materials. Sublimation inks are transparent, which means they can only produce vibrant and accurate colours on white or light-coloured fabrics, unless a white base layer is applied, which can prove both costly and time-consuming. On the other hand, UV printing produces more beautiful, vibrant hues regardless of the surface being printed on.
In a similar vein, sublimation printing is limited to flat or slightly curved surfaces, which can limit design placement or versatility. Meanwhile, UV printing can deal with all kinds of curved and shaped surfaces.
What’s the difference between offset printing and UV printing?
Offset printing is a traditional printing method that uses ink and plates to transfer an image onto paper or other paper-based substrates. It tends to be slower than UV printing, which boasts the added benefit of versatility in terms of surface materials. UV printing also tends to produce more vibrant colours, with higher image quality and a final print with greater resistance to fading and scratching.Whilst both printing methods can produce attractive paper prints, UV printing is more cost-effective, particularly for smaller prints – and it is also more environmentally friendly given that it doesn’t produce volatile organic compounds like offset printing can.
Can UV printing be used for outdoor applications?
Yes. UV printing is a durable and long-lasting printing method that is incredibly suitable for outdoor applications. The UV-curable ink is resistant to fading and weathering, making it ideal for outdoor signage, banners and displays.
How long does UV printing take?
As mentioned above, because UV printers have their own built-in UV light source, which emits ultraviolet light as soon as the specialist ink has been applied, UV prints dry almost instantaneously, without any risk of smudging or bleeding. The UV printing process is therefore one of the quickest and most reliable printing methods out there.
How much does UV printing cost?
The cost of your UV prints will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of your prints and the type of materials to be printed onto. Reputable UV printing companies like VKF Renzel provide high-quality prints at affordable prices and are more than happy to provide you with a free quote.How do I care for UV-printed products?
UV-printed products should be cleaned with a mild, non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning tools, as these can damage the print. Additionally, UV-printed products should be kept out of direct sunlight where possible to prevent fading – although fading is less of a problem with this innovative printing method overall.How long does UV printing last?
In general, UV printing is known for its durability and longevity, especially when compared to other printing methods. This is because UV printers use ultraviolet light to cure the ink, creating a chemical bond between the ink and the substrate.The lifespan of your UV prints can vary depending on several factors, including the type of substrate used, the quality of the ink, the type of UV printer used and the environment in which your prints are displayed.
At VKF, we only print using high-quality inks and top-of-the-range UV printers, meaning our UV prints can last for many years – or even decades – especially if you protect them from direct sunlight and harsh environmental conditions.
Do UV prints fade?
Your UV prints will naturally fade over the course of the years, especially when placed in direct sunlight. Nevertheless, this durable printing process is specifically designed with improved fade-resistance in mind, meaning that any colour loss will be minimal when compared to traditional printing methods. What’s more, you shouldn’t see any significant deterioration for years, so you are likely to need to replace your banners, posters and other promotional materials with new marketing messages way before wear and tear becomes an issue, anyway.Do UV prints scratch?
Surfaces printed with UV-cured ink are less likely to scratch and are less prone to scuff marks and minor indentations. In fact, UV prints have high abrasion and scratch resistance, making them ideal for use in a range of busy indoor and outdoor environments.How can I get something UV printed?
Ready to order your own high-quality UV prints? At VKF Renzel, we specialise in large-format UV printing on a wide range of products and materials, including ACM, vinyl, PVC, acrylic, wood, glass and aluminium. Our machines are able to print artwork of up to 3 m x 2 m onto both rigid and flexible materials, in addition to printing on continuous rolls of flexible surface.We kindly ask that you share your design with us at the correct size, using CMYK colouring, in one of our accepted file formats. We print all items at our UK factory in Worcestershire and always endeavour to deliver your items to you as quickly as possible.
This guide will walk you through the UV printing process, explaining everything you need to know to feel confident in our print-marketing solutions.
Simply get in touch with our sales team at sales@vkf-renzel.co.uk or on 01527 878311 for your free quote.
