Which materials can you UV print on? The overview
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UV printing is regarded as the process that can print on “almost anything”. That is only half true. The ink does land on almost every material, but whether it also stays there depends on the surface. This overview shows where you need primer, when white is necessary and what to expect in terms of durability.
The overview
The details are guide values for typical blanks. The same materials from different suppliers can behave differently. Always test new blanks first.
| Material | Primer needed | White needed | Durability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anodised aluminium | usually yes | on dark or coloured surfaces | good | Anodising layer varies widely, test |
| Coated aluminium | usually no | not with a white coating | very good | ideal for signs and photo prints |
| Bare aluminium | yes | yes, for bright colours | good with primer | metallic effect without white |
| Stainless steel | yes | yes, for bright colours | good with primer | degrease thoroughly |
| Coated metal sheets (sublimation, photo metal) | usually no | not with a white coating | very good | Coating takes UV ink well |
| Wood | no | yes, on dark wood | good, indoors | Grain shows through light colours |
| MDF | no | usually yes | good, indoors | smooth surface, edges absorb |
| Acrylic | often yes | yes, for opacity | good | Remove protective film, reverse printing possible |
| Glass | yes, always | yes, for opacity | medium | not dishwasher safe |
| Mirror | yes | yes | medium | Do not damage the mirror layer on the back |
| Ceramic, glazed tiles | yes | with coloured glaze | medium | matt, unglazed ceramic often without primer |
| Leather, faux leather | usually no | yes, on dark leather | good with flexible ink | rigid ink cracks when bent |
| ABS | usually no | depending on colour | good | test glossy surfaces |
| PC (polycarbonate) | often no, test | depending on colour | good | Phone cases made of PC work well |
| PVC | no | depending on colour | good | Rigid foam boards are standard in signage |
| PET | usually no | depending on colour | good | also as film, then flexible ink |
| PP, PE | yes, special primer | depending on colour | unreliable | very low surface energy |
| Silicone | hardly possible | yes | poor | not suitable for direct UV printing |
| Paper, card | no | on coloured card | good, indoors | Ink stays raised, folding can crack it |
| Stone, slate | no, test smooth stones | yes, on dark stone | good | Dust slate beforehand |
| Textile | limited | yes | poor when washed | feels stiff, not washable |
Three questions for every material
With every new material, three questions will help you.
Does the ink hold? Smooth, dense surfaces such as glass, metal or PP need primer. Open, rough surfaces such as wood or paper usually do not. Everything about primer types and application is in the article on primer.
Do I need white? UV ink is translucent. On dark, coloured or transparent materials, the colours disappear without a white base. On white and light materials you can often leave white out, which saves ink and time. How white, colour and varnish interact is explained in the article on ink layers.
Does the material flex? Rigid ink cracks on leather, film or soft plastics. There you need flexible ink. More on this in the article on UV ink.
What durability means here
“Good” in the table means: holds up in normal indoor use, tolerates handling and wiping with a damp cloth. Two things are critical on almost all materials:
- Dishwasher: Hot water, aggressive detergents and knocks take a toll on any UV print. Do not expect dishwasher resistance on any material unless the manufacturer of the ink and the blank explicitly states it.
- Outdoor use: UV ink is more lightfast than many other inks, but rain, frost and sun over years are a different league. For outdoors, varnish and suitable materials help. Details in Durability of UV prints.
For business use
For every material you sell, keep a sample with a cross-hatch cut or tape test. If a customer complains, you can then check whether the material has changed. And be careful with advertising promises such as “weatherproof” or “dishwasher safe”. Only write what you have tested yourself.
The detailed articles
- Printing on metal: aluminium, stainless steel and metal posters
- Printing on wood: using or covering the grain
- Printing on acrylic and glass: front, back and double-sided
- Printing on plastic: what adheres and what does not
- Printing on round objects: bottles, mugs and pens
Continue with: Primer and Ink does not adhere.