Inkcups Solution to UV Printing on Metal

The demand for durable, high-quality product decoration continues to grow year over year, making UV printing on metal a critical process for manufacturers to master.  In the modern era, some commonly-printed metal products could be:

• Custom stainless-steel drinkware
• Promotional products
• Industrial parts
• Tools
• Metal signage
• and more!

Given the growing number of applications, the ability to print vibrant, long-lasting graphics directly onto metal is essential to keep up.

That said, achieving superior adhesion and wear resistance on materials like aluminum and stainless steel requires more than just a standard machine — it demands a complete, specialized solution. Success hinges on three core elements: the right pre-treatment, the right ink, and the right printer. Luckily, Inkcups has all the supplies and equipment  you could need for UV printing on metals, whether you are using a flatbed printer or cylindrical inkjet printer.

Pre-Treatment for UV Printing on Metals

Some metals, like stainless steel and aluminum, require pre-treatment for optimal adhesion. Stainless steel is one of the most used metals used today for drinkware and promotional products, followed by aluminum. The recommended practice for stainless steel is flame pre-treatment followed by a primer wipe. Similarly, the recommended pre-treatment for aluminum substrates is a wipe-on adhesion primer, such as the Inkcups MetalBond line.

What is Flame Pre-treatment?

Flame pre-treatment increases the surface energy of the substrate. Optimal adhesion is achieved when the surface of the vessel has a higher surface energy than that of the ink tension. This process is vital for ensuring the ink bonds correctly and achieves long-term durability when printing on stainless steel.

Primer Wipe for UV Printing on Stainless Steel

A wipe-on primer is the most basic form of pre-treatment, with the operator manually wiping a lint-free towel loaded with primer onto a vessel. For stainless steel, we recommend loading the towel with MetalBond primer , ensuring that your product will pass the scratch, tape and wash tests. The MetalBond primer is a great option for stainless steel as well as various coated metals.

UV Ink for Metal Printing

Pre-treatment and the correct choice of ink should be considered as a dynamic duo for superior abrasion resistance.  Like pre-treatment, ink is specific to the material of substrate. After flame and primer wipe, decorate your stainless-steel product with S1 UV inkjet ink for wear resistant, high resolution print results. The S1 ink line is made up of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, White and Varnish to achieve full color graphics on metal products, suitable for industrial industries and drinkware companies alike.

If you are specifically using the Helix ONE® benchtop cylindrical printer, the LV UV Printer Ink series is specifically formulated for the most vibrant prints with that machine. This line adheres specifically well to challenging substrates like stainless steel, powder coats, rigid plastics and more. It can also be paired with some inkjet primers for even stronger durability or regulatory compliance.

Machines for UV Printing on Metal Surfaces

Metal substrates are a tricky surface to print on. However, Inkcups has printer options that can help ease the challenges associated with UV printing on metal. Whether you’re looking to print on cylindrical, flat or slightly curved objects, Inkcups has you covered.

The Helix® line of printers, (Helix®, Double Helix®, and Revolution®) will produce stunning graphics on assorted cylindrical products. Meanwhile, the collection of Inkcups’ UV flatbed printers can accommodate any other product you need to print on. Print stunning graphics on unique products, print important safety instructions on industrial parts, or print barcodes directly onto objects for ease of packaging.

Whatever your need may be for UV printing on metal, Inkcups has a tried-and-true solution for you. Contact us today.