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All About UV Flatbed Printers

Industrial UV flatbed printers are digital printing machines that use UV-curable inks to print directly onto the surface of flat, rigid or slightly curved objects, including plastic, glass, wood, stainless steel, ceramic, and metal.

 

Because UV inks cure quickly under ultraviolet light, UV flatbed printing is widely used to produce durable, high-resolution graphics, signage, promotional products and industrial parts.

 

To achieve optimal print quality, the product should be positioned as close to the print area as possible without touching the print heads. This controlled distance helps the ink disperse cleanly onto the product’s surface, and reduces the risk of a sprayed or blurry appearance.

 

For printing on fully cylindrical vessels such as bottles, cans, and drinkware, a UV Cylindrical inkjet printer is usually the better fit.

How UV Flatbed Printers Work

UV flatbed printers have the capability to print single items, multiple items, or an entire bed full of products simultaneously, depending on the size and capacity of the printing bed. With the aid of custom tooling, it’s possible to load a tray full of parts to be printed all at once.

By translating digital images into tangible prints, UV flatbed printers are an invaluable tool to bring your branding, marking, or identification needs to life. Widely applicable across various industries, flatbed printing is predominantly utilized within the industrial and promotional sectors.

What is a UV Flatbed Printer?

A UV flatbed printer is a machine that uses a UV digital printing process to  convert a 2D digital image into an applied graphic on a 3D object. This process involves propelling minuscule droplets of ink from the print head onto substrates such as paper, plastic, glass and metal to form an image. to The digital image is transmitted to the printer electronically (via a computer), ensuring an exact replication of the original digital design.

Types of UV Flatbed Printers

UV flatbed printers are a subset of UV printers, which then fall into a broader category of machines that include flatbed printers, cylindrical printers, conveyorized printers, roll-to-roll printers, and hybrid printers. While UV flatbed printers share common features, they can also be tailored to specific applications. For instance, Inkcups offers a unique direct-to-bag printer called the XJET Switch that is geared specifically for printing on different types of bags. The XJET Switch functions as a UV flatbed printer designed for printing on flat objects like tote bags and hard goods. What sets the XJET Switch apart is its innovative tooling system- instead of the conventional vacuum table, it features four rotating platens arranged in a 2-up configuration. This setup allows for the simultaneous loading of bags in the front while printing is in progress at the back, streamlining the printing process for maximum efficiency.

UV Flatbed Printers for Edible Products

Digital flatbed printers can also be distinguished by their suitability for printing on edible products. For instance, Inkcups offers the X5-T model in edible versions known as the X5 EdiJET, equipped with edible ink. These printers enable direct printing onto a wide range of confections, including cookies, cakes, candies, as well as savory items like bread, buns, and croutons.

EdiJET ink is safe for consumption and compliant with FDA regulations for finished printed goods. Inkcups’ edible ink line, Candymark, is flavorless and does not affect the taste of the confection it adorns.

Read: Edible Printing Machine for Large Production

Read: Edible Printing Machine for Large Production

Key Features of a UV Flatbed Printer

High Throw Capabilities

A high throw UV flatbed printer like the X5-T allows for an extended ink height distance between the printhead and the substrate. This technique — also known as high-drop or extended gamut printing — enables precise and vibrant prints on irregular or elevated surfaces, delivering unmatched flexibility.

CMYKW+ Varnish

Stand out with vibrant CMYKW prints and take your designs to the next level with the addition of varnish. Incorporating varnish unlocks new creative possibilities — spot varnish, for example, enhances specific areas of a design, adding depth, drawing attention to colors, or creating striking visual effects that truly make your prints shine. Several of Inkcups’ inks, like the LV-R, S1, and XFlexx lines are available in varnish.

Application Thickness

Some UV flatbed printers, like the X5-T, can accommodate taller products such as coolers, sporting equipment, and more. This makes them ideal for businesses looking to expand their printing capabilities beyond traditional flat substrates.

The Namesake – The Flatbed

As the name suggests, a flatbed printer without the flatbed just wouldn’t be the same. To promote the best print possible, the large tables that product or tooling can rest on are typically equipped with vacuum suction to ensure a precise degree of parallelism to the imaging heads.

UV Flatbed Printing Q&A

There are some technical terms thrown around in this exploration that might be very confusing to someone just getting started. The intention here is to break those down and get you up to speed:

Q. What are uni-/bi-directional print modes?

A. Uni-directional and bi-directional printing modes are determined by the direction of print carriage movement. Generally, uni-directional printing yields higher print quality but slower speeds, while bi-directional printing sacrifices some quality for faster output. In uni-directional printing, ink is jetted only as the print carriage moves from left to right, whereas in bi-directional printing, ink is jetted during movement in both directions.

Q. What is pass count?

A. Pass count involves dividing the printed image into segments or passes. Increasing the pass count breaks the image into smaller segments or swaths, typically enhancing its appearance and ensuring more uniform coverage.

Q. How fast can I print with a UV flatbed printer?

A. Answering speed-related inquiries can be quite challenging. Typically, the best way to determine printing speed is by sending your artwork and products to our sample department. We can conduct tests to identify a print quality that meets your satisfaction and provide you with speed data. This is because factors such as artwork size and print mode can significantly impact printing speed.

For additional inquiries, please visit our Support Hub. While most information on the Support Hub is customized for existing customers upon login, we offer over 40 concise articles on inkjet printing to everyone! Existing customers can access all inkjet articles plus their machine(s) manuals, standard operating procedures, site preparation documents, and more.

Read: Typical Maintenance for UV Printers

Wide Range of Applications for UV Flatbed Printers

Although one might initially assume that the capabilities of printing with a flatbed printer are restricted, the reality is quite the opposite. There exists a vast array of products that can be adorned with designs, with even more awaiting discovery. The applications for UV printers are diverse and can be tailored based on height allowances. For instance, a tall UV flatbed printer such as the X5-T is ideal for embellishing hard coolers.

Flatbed UV printers can also be useful for decorating drinkware. Consider the bottom of a vessel – all of that is flat, printable real estate!  With the X5-T, you can add custom decorations on the bottom of flat drinkware for branding or stylistic purposes. For more information read: Digital Glass Bottom Printing with the X5-T UV Flatbed 

Further reading for UV flatbed printers: The 5 Best Applications for UV Flatbed Printers

Saw Blades

Saw blades are frequently adorned with industrial UV printers, whether for identification markings or branding purposes. With the appropriate tooling, an entire bed of saw blades can be printed simultaneously, streamlining the process and enhancing efficiency.

Learn more: Industrial Printing

Notebooks

Decorate notebook, padfolios, and other stationary items with flatbed printers to create breathtaking and bold images. Perfect for corporate gifts or promotional giveaways alike, flatbed printers can easily print full-color images on items like these.

Tote Bags

Print on a diverse range of materials used for reusable bags, including (but not limited to):

  • non-woven
  • coated non-woven
  • polyester
  • PVC plastic (clear concert bags)
  • cotton
  • canvas
  • jute

Learn more: Printing on Tote Bags

Reusable Tote Bag Applications

Reusable Tote Bag Applications

Canvas

Utilize UV flatbed printers to produce canvas prints as large as the printing bed allows, injecting vibrant bursts of color into dull walls. Among Inkcups’ UV flatbed printers, the X5-T stand out for offering the largest printing space, measuring 43.4” x 24”.

Read: Mastering Canvas Printing with UV Flatbed Technology

Pens

Pens, consistently ranking among the top promotional giveaways, can now benefit from digital decoration using full-color graphics through flatbed printers. With custom tooling ensuring secure placement, pens remain stationary throughout the printing process, preventing any rotation or shifting.

X5-T for Printing on Pens

Bottle Openers

Plastic and metal bottle openers both present a surface that is perfect for decorating. Using UV flatbed printing, brands can apply full-color graphics, logos, and detailed designs with excellent adhesion and clarity across a variety of finishes.

X5-T for Printing on Bottle Openers

Stress Balls

With proper tooling, UV flatbed printers excel at printing full color images onto an entire bed of stress balls at a time. The tooling for the stress balls shown in the photo can hold 91 stress balls in place at once for uniform registration.

Mugs

While cylindrical inkjet printers are often the top option for printing on drinkware, mugs are one exception to this default. UV flatbed printers like the X5-T can actually be used to print big and bold logos on the face of mugs and other curved ceramic items.

Hot/Cold Gel Packs

Perfect for aches and bumps, gel packs, whether you heat them or chill them, offer instant relief for a wide range of ailments and can be a popular, long-lasting swag item. Harnessing the power of UV digital technology, flatbed printers are an excellent option for making sure you brand sticks to this useful application.

Sporting Equipment

Print on soccer balls, basketballs, footballs, and more with tall UV flatbed printers such as the X5-T. With the additional height clearance of this machine, you can produce large volumes of branded sporting equipment with ease.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a UV Flatbed Printer

When determining the most suitable UV flatbed printer for your needs, there are several factors (from costs to quality) worth your consideration before making a decision:

  • Costconsiderations extend beyond the initial machine price. Hidden benefits or drawbacks may accompany flatbed printers in different pricing tiers.
    • For example, a lower-priced machine might lack comprehensive support services, so thorough research and dialogue with various vendors are essential.
    • Inquire about support availability, warranty terms, parts accessibility, and any other pertinent concerns upfront. Establishing a strong relationship with the equipment provider is especially crucial in the UV flatbed printing realm.
    • Read: When to Consider Buying a UV Printer
  • Product considerations play a critical role in the decision-making process. While opting for a UV flatbed printer eliminates cylindrical inkjet printers from the equation, there are still other compatibility issues to be assessed.
  • The height and width of your parts, for instance are crucial. If your parts exceed the print bed dimensions in width, compatibility issues will likely arise. Conversely, smaller items like pens can benefit from efficient batch printing across the entire bed with appropriate tooling, thereby enhancing productivity. The Resolutionof your printer holds importance, too, and can vary significantly depending on the industry. For instance, the industrial sector prioritizes sharp print quality and may prioritize quality over speed. In contrast, promotional products typically have shorter lifespans, leading to a preference for quicker print times even if it means sacrificing some quality.
  • Service, support and maintenance are a very important part of the decision. Just as your vehicle demands regular maintenance, industrial UV flatbed printers require similar attention, if not more. Proper care and consistent maintenance can significantly extend the lifespan of your equipment.
    • On average, 94% of our service cases concerning digital printing machines are resolved promptly over the phone. We take pride in ensuring that our customers always interact with highly trained service professionals. There’s no outsourcing involved; you’ll be quickly connected to the most qualified individual to address your inquiries.

Inkcups UV Flatbed Printers

X5-T Flatbed UV Digital Printer

  • 1,100 x 610 mm print area / 506mm extended part height
  • 1200dpi resolution

The X5-T offers the same exceptional quality as the X5, coupled with an extended height allowance, enabling customers to print parts up to 20” tall. This makes it perfect for decorating items like coolers and sporting equipment. Moreover, its versatility extends to easily decorating shorter items such as pens and stationery. If you’re contemplating printing on a diverse range of flat items with varying heights, the X5-T is the ideal choice to accommodate all your product needs.

See the X5-T in Action

XJET 800 UV Flatbed Printer

  • 800 x 620mm print area
  • Conveyor loading/unloading system

Looking to add automation to your production? The XJET 800 is automation-ready, easily partner a robotic arm to pick and place parts onto this conveyor system during the printing process to make for the most efficient process, a print shift with no down time. The XJET 800 brings parts in, prints, and then sends them back out to drop into a bin. Alternatively, robotics could be utilized to stack and pack products into boxes.

Watch the XJET 800

XJET 800T

  • 800 x 620mm print area / 500mm extended part height
  • Conveyor loading/unloading system

Much like the correlation between the X5 and X5-T, the XJET 800T offers the extended height that the bed is able to drop to accommodate those taller parts. Print full-color imagery on coolers, popcorn tins, sporting equipment and more with the XJET 800T. Continuous, high-volume production printing is XJET 800Ts best fit.

Learn More about the XJET 800T

XJET Switch Direct-To-Bag Flatbed Printer

  • Total print area: 13.8 inches x 25.6 inches (350 mm x 650 mm)
  • Maximum part height: 8 inches (203.2 mm)

Switch from screen printing on heat transfers to digital UV printing on tote bags. The XJET Switch is a full-color specialized flatbed printer, perfect for digitally decorating a wide variety of different types of bags.

Watch the XJET Switch Decorate Bags

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