UV LED curable inks are a versatile printing solution that deliver vivid, durable results on both rigid and flexible substrates. In this guide, we’ll explain what UV LED curable ink is, the difference between hard and flexible varieties, and how to choose the right option for your printing needs.
UV LED curable inks are a type of ink that remains liquid until it is cured with an ultra-violet light. In general UV LED curable inks are desirable because they produce vivid colors, can be paired with an ink primer to guarantee longer adhesion, and offer high abrasion resistance. UV LED curable inks come in hard and flexible varieties.
When choosing between rigid and flexible ink, it is easiest to understand that those terms describe both the characteristics of the ink and the substrate itself. Soft inks are ideal for applications where the printed material needs to maintain its flexibility and durability, while hard inks are generally suitable for applications where printed materials need to withstand handling, outdoor exposure and other harsh conditions.
For example, a sports bottle with a pliable body will require flexible ink so that it can move as freely as the bottle itself does. Outdoor signage, on the other hand, doesn’t move much (if at all), so the ink for it also needs to remain stationary for as long as possible to maximize product life and minimize wear.
Describing a UV ink as “rigid” refers to its ability to stick to non-pliable substrates like glass, stainless, coated metals and more. Rigid ink, like the S1 UV Inkjet Ink, is specially formulated for glass, plastic and metal.
For an in-depth account of hard ink, read our article All About Ink: Hard Ink.
A flexible UV ink is intended for products that need to be squeezed or bent, such as plastic bottles and sports bottles.
Inkcups offers five different UV LED curable ink lines to adhere to various substrates. Whether the substrate has a flexible or rigid nature, we have an ink that to suit.
Of the five total UV curable ink lines that Inkcups offers, there are two different flexible ink lines to accommodate many different flexible substrates. Both XFLEXX and BB Ultra Flexible come in Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, White and Varnish.
Our XFLEXX Flexible UV Ink. was created with flexible substrates in mind to bend and give as needed without cracking or distorting the design. XFLEXX opens the door to printing on non-traditional substrates such as canvas, foam, rubber, polyurethane, nylon, cellophane, and more.
XFLEXX is a great ink option for items such as stress balls, golf balls, lunch boxes, coolers, bags, notebooks, and face masks. It works well on fabrics and materials that are polyester and synthetic.
BB Ultra Flexible UV Ink is a great option for sports bottles, phone cases, industrial tubing, leather goods, tactical gear, and more. This ink can withstand the long-standing industry standard “squeeze test” after being submerged in an ice bucket. The design on the bottle will not chip, crack, or distort after an extended bathe in the freezing water, even after a squeeze.
Inkcups technicians are seasoned when it comes to finding the correct ink for your substrate. If you have questions about flexible or hard ink for your applications, contact us today.
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