UV printing
UV printing technology fixes high-quality graphics with vivid colours on practically any flat surface. It is a real revolution in digital printing, because it combines speed with an attractive look, photographic quality and a durable image. At the AkordCD printing house you can order UV prints on various materials and in any run size.
What does UV printing involve?
Digital UV printing uses special polymer inks. They are applied precisely to the chosen surface according to the design and then cured instantly with UV radiation. The digital image file goes straight to the printer, so no external media are needed.
UV prints are unique thanks to the ink used, which is sensitive to ultraviolet light. It consists of several different groups of substances, including:
UV inks also use various additives such as fixatives and components that ensure high resistance to weather. Our printers are equipped with modern LED lamps.
There are three types of UV technology. The basic variant is UV Flatbed. It is used for printing on rigid materials and flat sheets. Printers of this type can handle both small and large formats.
Printing with UV Roll-To-Roll allows ink to be applied to flexible materials supplied in rolls. There is also a hybrid technology, which combines the advantages of both. At AkordCD we work with all of these techniques.
Advantages of UV printing
UV printing has many advantages that make it a popular choice for producing promotional items or covering large surfaces such as billboards:
every single item can easily be personalised,
no plates or moulds are needed – a properly configured printer and the artwork are enough,
complex designs with rich colours can be printed,
the cured ink is highly resistant to weather and mechanical damage,
printing is possible on practically any substrate,
UV printing is environmentally friendly – the machines produce no harmful fumes (VOCs), and low energy consumption keeps costs reasonable.
UV printing on any material – the wide range of uses for this technology
A major advantage of printing with ultraviolet light is that ink can be applied to many different materials. With UV printing we can cover, among others:
The enormous capabilities of modern printing machines let us print on non-standard surfaces as well as handle large-format printing. Using UV printing technology, we adapt production to each client’s individual needs.
Professional UV printing on plastics versus sublimation printing
In sublimation printing, ink is applied to transfer paper and the patterns and colours are then moved onto the target surface with a special press. UV printing creates the graphic directly, because the ink goes straight onto the surface of the material being coloured.
Removing the drying stage shortens the whole production cycle. We can complete even a large order quickly – a considerable advantage for businesses that need fast turnaround.
UV printing technology and weather conditions
The surface of a material covered with UV inks is exceptionally durable and weather-resistant. The graphic does not fade in the sun and resists moisture, rain and low temperatures. Such surfaces practically do not wear or scratch. Outdoors, the life of a UV print is estimated at 5–10 years; indoors it is almost unlimited. That is why the finished print works equally well for interior decoration and advertising materials.
UV printing – pricing
UV printing costs somewhat more than the alternatives, but the inks provide long-lasting durability on any substrate. The final quote depends on a number of factors, including:
- the type and quality of the material,
- the size of the print,
- the run size,
- preliminary file preparation.
UV printing in Warsaw – see what AkordCD offers
Do you need professional UV printing? Take a look at our range of services. We use modern printers and LED lamps and help you set up your file so the image is ready for print. At the AkordCD printing house we handle both one-off jobs and large-scale orders. We print on various materials and on irregularly shaped surfaces.
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