What is UV in printing?
UV printing is a form of digital printing that uses lamps called Ultra Violet to dry the ink as it “falls” onto the surface.
UV printing is a modern printing technology that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to harden or dry an ink, varnish or coating as it is printed on a substrate. UV light is used to quickly dry the ink or coating and cause it to adhere to the surface of the substrate.
UV printing is used in a wide range of applications including packaging, labeling, point of sale displays, banners, posters and more.
The UV ink or coating contains special chemicals called photoinitiators, which react to UV light and cause the ink or coating to harden instantly. This process is called photopolymerization. The use of UV technology in printing offers many advantages, such as high quality printing, faster drying times, better adhesion, scratch-resistant prints and environmental friendliness, as UV inks do not contain solvents that emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air .
The color of the image printed by the UV printer is satisfactory, it is very bright, it has a good visual effect and a fresher feeling than the old printing method.
UV curing was first applied in industrial production in the 1960s, it is good for curing the surface coating of wood. In the USA for the first time they are doing UV that is applied to flat printing and it has a good result. Then this technology gradually spread to the UK and other countries. UV curing technology already has to be applied to various printing methods and adapt all kinds of ways, such as embossing block, Flexo, lithographic plate, screen printing plate, it replaces many obsolete traditional printing methods, saves manpower and material resources, and in continuously creates more value.
If you want custom shapes, it is possible to use a 3D laser printer to create printed products. We can print your own logos, designs, photos, images, etc. We undertake to design the artwork for the printing you wish.
Here are some of the pros and cons of UV printing:
Advantages:
High quality: UV printing produces high-quality and vivid prints with sharp details and vivid colors.
Fast drying: UV inks dry almost instantly when exposed to UV light, making the printing process faster and more efficient.
Versatility: UV printing can be used on a wide range of substrates, including plastics, metals, glass, wood and textiles.
Durability: UV prints are extremely durable and resistant to fading, water and abrasion. They can withstand harsh weather conditions and exposure to sunlight without fading.
Environmentally friendly: UV printing uses UV inks that do not contain harmful solvents or emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making it an environmentally friendly printing process.
Disadvantages:
Cost: UV printing can be more expensive than other printing methods due to the cost of UV inks and the equipment required.
Limited color gamut: UV inks may have a more limited color gamut compared to other printing methods, although this is improving with advances in UV ink technology.
Setup Time: UV printers require more setup and calibration time compared to other printers, which can affect production time.
Hazardous: UV inks can be hazardous if mishandled and require special safety precautions during the printing process. Overall, UV printing is a popular and versatile printing method that produces high-quality, durable prints. Although it may have some limitations and require additional precautions, the benefits often outweigh the drawbacks for many printing applications.
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