Mint tins, frisbees, pens, tote bags, stationery, golf balls, cell phone accessories, books, face masks, coasters, sporting goods, and drinkware are all prime examples of items that can be decorated using UV printers. The sky is truly the limit when it comes to the printing capabilities of these impressive machines.
UV printers open many more doors than other pieces of commercial printing equipment – the applications and markets that UV technology can accommodate are vast. UV printers, whether they are geared for cylindrical, flat, or slightly curved surfaces, are often referred to as “direct-to-object” or “direct-to-substrate” printers for their ability to print directly on a wide range of materials including glass, canvas, metal, plastic, as well as natural fabrics.
Key Reasons to Choose a UV Printer
While they are recognized for their unparalleled print techniques, near-instant dry times, and elimination of print substrate limitations, UV printers are also known for their more environmentally friendly approach to printing. UV inkjet printers use UV inks, which allow for minimal ink evaporation as they are cured with UV lamps, and therefore, there is very little Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs) emission compared to solvent-based inks.
Moreover, UV printers are best suited to answer the needs of e-commerce companies looking for print-on-demand capabilities for their products. Companies utilizing barcode workflows can easily incorporate UV digital printers into their operation while expanding offerings and increasing productivity.
With the expansive range of applications, environmental benefits and productivity enhancements offered by these beautiful machines, purchasing a UV flatbed printer can be a very involved process for businesses seeking to diversify their printing capabilities and improve their operational efficiency.
UV Flatbed Printer Comparison
To begin, it’s important to understand the different configurations of UV flatbed printers. UV printers come in roll-to-roll, flatbed, cylindrical, and conveyor-enabled styles.
Roll to Roll Printer
The primary function of a UV roll-to-roll printer is to digitally print on rolls of substrate, such as fabric. By utilizeing large rubber rollers, material is continuously fed into the printer, and downtime is reduced. These printers are often equipped with adjustable tension, which ensures even feeding and prevents the material from wrinkling mid-run. Roll-to-roll UV printers are primarily used as a textile printing method, and can be used for a wide range of textile applications and substrates.
Named after the print bed of the UV printer, UV flatbeds can print and instantly cure ink on flat or slightly curved surfaces and are great tools for decorating materials like glass, plastic, metal, paper, and even leather. UV flatbed printers are ideal for printing on larger items as well, like coolers.
“Rotary”, “cylindrical”, “direct-to-shape” or “drinkware” are all descriptors that can refer to a UV printer that prints directly on cylindrical vessels. By using these machines, you can forgo labels and digitally print works of art directly onto your vessel of choice.
Extra care should be taken when printing on drinkware due to the nature of the item. Unlike many other items that are traditionally printed on, drinkware items are generally fragile and also designed to be washed regularly. That said, artwork on drinkware is rightfully expected to make it through dishwasher cycles, therefore the proper combination of pre-treatment, ink, and printer are vital to a long lifespan for drinkware. Pad printing, screen printing, dye sublimation, and litho printing are additional lower-cost methods of printing on drinkware, but they lack the ease, consistency, and design techniques of UV inkjet printing.
There are many factors to consider when buying a UV printer for your facility. Contact Inkcups today to get started.
UV flatbed printers that are equipped with conveyor belts for loading and unloading are called “conveyor-enabled” flatbed printers. Conveyor-enabled UV printers offer the print quality and full-color capabilities of their counterparts, plus conveyor loading and unloading to assist in streamlining the process. The increased efficiency, flexibility, accuracy and automation associated with these UV inkjet printers has made them very popular in certain industries with high-volume printing needs.
UV Printer Purchase Considerations
Brand
The brand of UV flatbed printer you invest in is an iceberg situation. The brand itself is the exposed ice above the surface, but the company’s mission, people, and support make for either a giant piece of ice underneath, or a lack thereof. Choosing a company that gives back to their community, has kind and welcoming employees, and offers service and support that aligns with your needs is a large part of the process. Acquiring a UV flatbed printer is a partnership for years to come with a company for ink, parts, and support. Fully research a company prior to signing on to know what to expect.
Size
The size and orientation of your substrate are dependent upon what equipment you’re printing on. UV flatbed printers come in different bed sizes, as well as different part height accommodations. Cylindrical UV printers can do one, two, or multiple vessels at a time. Roll-to-roll UV printers can accommodate different size rolls of substrate. Conveyorized UV printers, which are typically paired with flatbed printers, host both different sized beds as well as conveyor belts that can vary in size.
UV Printing Supplies
The UV inkjet printing process is not complete without primers, UV inks, ink auxiliaries and replacement parts. Replacement parts might sound daunting, but with regular use,, all printer parts do experience wear and tear, and the ability to replace them rather than scrap the entire machine is critical when comparing the costs associated with UV printers.
Comparing this to that of consumables needed for dye sublimation or pad printing – pad printing requires:
The number of supplies needed for alternative methods of printing are lengthy, yet they still come with their own technical limitations. For example, UV printing with CMYK allows for full color prints, but printing with four different colors on a pad printer only allows for a four-color logo – colors do not mix to create new variations.
Costs
While it’s true that UV printers can come with a significant price tag, it’s important not to be deterred by the initial investment. The cost of a UV printer often correlates with the range of features they offer, and factors such as the number of print stations and output speeds included can also influence pricing. By considering your current and anticipated printing needs, as well as projected demand, you can make a well-informed decision about which UV printer best suits your operations.
When engaging with a sales professional, they can provide valuable tools such as ROI calculators that can help you understand the potential return on investment associated with purchasing a UV printer. This insight allows for informed decision-making, ensuring that your investment aligns with your business objectives and financial goals. Additionally, leasing is typically available for UV flatbed printers. For more information on the three leasing partners that Inkcups works with, please visit our Leasing page.
Maintenance
UV printers are indeed advanced and valuable machines, and as such, it’s important to note that they require regular maintenance to operate smoothly and efficiently. This includes routine care on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. Allocating dedicated time and resources to the upkeep and cleaning of your UV printer is essential to maximize its performance and longevity.
When to Buy a UV Printer
Like with any other large piece of equipment, investments here usually begin with a UV flatbed printer comparison, which is just as tied to the company as it is the equipment itself.
Start by seeking out a company known for its approachable staff, accessible customer support, and direct phone assistance. Once you’ve found a suitable company, delve into their range of machines and product lines. Attend trade shows to witness UV printers in operation firsthand and engage with sales representatives and technicians for insights. Take your time, conduct thorough research, send in your product samples, and don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have upfront. Purchasing a UV printer should ultimately be an enjoyable and enlightening experience.
Inkcups offers cylindrical, flatbed, and conveyor-enabled UV printers for purchase. All three types of UV printers print high quality, full color images for a wide range of industries. Pair these top-quality printers with global support and numerous Customer Care Representatives who are ready to answer your questions, and you’re in for a smooth, long-term partnership.
Inkcups offers service and support throughout your machine’s career. To get started, contact us today.
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