UV printing is a breakthrough in the printing industry. We analyze the technology and printing capabilities on any materials and compare them with conventional printing.
What is UV printing?
UV printing (UV printing) is a modern digital printing technology that uses special inks that harden under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Unlike conventional inks, which dry out by evaporation of water or solvent, UV ink instantly hardens when exposed to a UV lamp.
In our printing house in Yekaterinburg, UV printing is used to work with non-standard materials, where regular printing is not possible.
How UV printing works
- A drop of ink is ejected from the printer nozzle onto the material
- 0.1 seconds after application, a UV lamp passes over the drop site.
- Ultraviolet light activates photoinitiators in the ink composition
- The ink instantly polymerizes (cures)
- The material is immediately ready for further processing or packaging
The whole process takes milliseconds, unlike regular printing, where ink can dry for hours.
Advantages of UV printing
1. Printing on any materials
UV ink "settles" on almost any surface:
- Plastic — PVC, acrylic, polycarbonate, polystyrene
- Glass — decorative panels, plaques
- Metal — aluminum, steel, copper (with primer)
- Tree — veneer, solid wood, plywood, MDF
- Ceramics and stone — tiles, granite, marble
- Skin — natural and artificial
- Cardboard and paper — all types
- Cloth — dense, opaque (for printing on a flat surface)
2. Resistance to external influences
The cured UV ink forms a strong film. They do not fade, do not wear out, and are resistant to:
- Sunlight (up to 5-7 years without fading outdoors)
- Moisture and rain
- Temperature changes
- Chemical products (detergents, alcohol)
- Mechanical damage
3. Instant readiness
There is no drying. The printed product immediately goes into further processing — packaging, delivery, assembly. This speeds up production.
4. 3D texture printing
UV ink can be applied in layers, creating convex textures. For example, imitation of oil strokes on a painting or tactile markings on plaques.
5. White paint
UV printers print in white, which is not found in conventional digital printing. This allows you to:
- Print on transparent materials (glass, acrylic) with a white backing
- Create multi-layered products
- Make expressive prints on dark surfaces
Where UV printing is used
Outdoor advertising
- Signs made of acrylic and plastic
- Signage for shops, offices, and clinics
- Pointers and navigation
- Wall panels and decor
Souvenir products
- Branded USB Flash drives
- Diaries with a logo
- Plastic cards (discount, club, gift)
- Lighters and pens
Interior
- Decorative glass panels in the kitchen
- Floors and floor tiles with an image
- Furniture facades with a seal
- Wall paintings on metal or acrylic
Industry
- Marking of equipment and devices
- Safety signs (weatherproof)
- Printing on the packaging of special goods
- Instrument panels and control elements
Exposition and exhibitions
- Acrylic stands and displays
- POS materials (wobblers, shelfalkers)
- 3D volumetric elements of exhibition stands
Limitations of UV printing
- Not suitable for stretchable materials (fabric in clothing) — the paint may crack when stretched
- The high price is about 2-3 times more expensive than the usual figure.
- The size is limited by the printer format (usually up to 2.5×1.3 m for flat objects)
- Special equipment and trained personnel
The cost of UV printing
The price depends on the material, size and complexity.:
- 30×20 cm acrylic print — from 850 ₽
- Plate with logo on A5 plastic — from 450 ₽
- Decorative glass 50x30 cm — from 2500 ₽
- Branded USB flash drive — from 180 ₽/piece with a circulation of 50+
- Plastic card — from 35 ₽/piece with a circulation of 500+
Preparing a layout for UV printing
We accept AI, CDR, PDF, TIFF, PSD. The resolution is 300 dpi in real size. The CMYK color model for colors and additionally a white channel (if you need a white layer on a transparent material).
When printing on a colored or transparent surface, it is necessary to calculate whether a white sublayer is needed (for brightness) or without it (for the effect of translucency).
Order a UV print
You can order UV printing on any materials in our printing house. Free consultation on the choice of technology — by phone +7 (343) 288-71-82. We accept orders starting from 1 piece — for unique projects and samples.
View UV Printing Calculators on our website.
