Glossary · Processes
UV printing
A printing process in which the ink becomes solid directly after application with UV light. This allows almost any surface to be printed, such as metal, wood, glass, acrylic or leather.
Explained in more detail
An inkjet print head sprays tiny drops of UV-curing ink onto the material, and a UV LED next to the head cures them immediately. The ink does not soak in and does not need to dry, so the process also works on non-absorbent surfaces. Besides the CMYK colours, most devices use white ink as an underlayer on dark or transparent materials, and often varnish for gloss and relief. Common types are flatbed printers for flat objects, rotary attachments for bottles and mugs, and UV DTF for transfer stickers. On smooth surfaces such as glass, metal or some plastics, a primer is often needed so the ink holds permanently.
Where does the term come from?
UV is the abbreviation for ultraviolet, from Latin "ultra" = beyond: it means light beyond visible violet. This radiation was discovered by Johann Wilhelm Ritter in 1801. The name of the process therefore refers not to the colour but to the light with which it is cured.
In practice
- Desktop devices for hobby and small businesses usually have a print area between A5 and A3 and mostly cost €2,000 to €10,000.
- Besides ink, budget for primer, cleaning fluid, wiper and a spare print head as ongoing costs, even if the device is just standing idle.
- Test each new material first on an offcut: check adhesion with adhesive tape and judge colour with a colour chart.
- Put the device in a ventilable room with a stable temperature of around 18 to 22 °C, not by the window and not in the bedroom.
- Wear gloves: uncured ink can trigger allergies on skin contact, whereas cured prints are harmless to handle.
Not to be confused
Not to be confused with sublimation or DTF for textiles: there, colour is transferred with heat. UV printing cures the ink with light directly on the surface and is not suitable for clothing that gets washed.
Frequently asked questions
Is UV printing scratch-resistant?
Cured UV ink is quite scratch-resistant, but what matters is adhesion to the material. On smooth surfaces it only holds permanently with a suitable primer, and a varnish layer gives additional protection against abrasion.
Is UV printing dishwasher-safe?
As a rule, no. Heat, cleaning agents and knocks loosen the ink after a while, so for printed mugs and glasses you should recommend hand washing only.