UV Printing
Ultraviolet Printing, also known as UV printing, is much like any other type of print where its ink is on a surface. The biggest difference, in this case, is the ultraviolet lamps that instantly dry the ink moments after it has hit the surface, this may seem like a small change, but the benefits are quite extensive, including colour, resolution, product durability, environmental friendliness and sometimes a glossy coating.
UV inks dry quickly and sit on top of the surface, while conventional inks absorb into the substrate and take longer to dry.
UV printing results in sharper image resolution compared to conventional printing due to reduced ink spreading and quick drying.
UV ink acts as a protective coating on the product, making the end products more durable and instantly usable.
Why Choose Rayment & Collins
Rayment and Collins, providing UV Printing to the packaging industry. Located in Markham, Ontario. Our team is dedicated to providing high-quality UV Printing services for the packaging industry. We ensure precise and vibrant printing along with top-notch customer services and project management, making us the preferred choice for custom packaging and promotional materials. Trust in Rayment and Collins’ expertise, backed by 30 years of excellence. Elevate your packaging endeavors with our exceptional UV Printing services.
Environmental Benefits
In a conventional ink print, because the ink is inherently wet and needs to dry onto the surface, it is applied to; meaning evaporation must quickly take place to prevent smudges; additionally, in today’s fast-paced environment waiting for a print to dry is not realistic so these conventional inks have solvents in them to help accelerate their evaporation.
These solvents can impact the environment as they are classified as Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOC for short; in some cases, over 50% of the liquid applied to a surface evaporates into the air. Comparing this to a UV process, these solvents are not needed as the ultraviolet light is drying the ink, meaning no VOC’s are released and no drying time.
Embellished Printing
UV printing is also beneficial for adding some flair to your product, sometimes known as spot gloss or spot varnish; spot UV printing is a method for coating printed products with a clear ink that adds a shiny layer to the surface, adding both an aesthetic component and protection from damage or moisture. Additionally, as the name suggests, this clear layer can be applied to all or only parts of an image allowing you to draw attention to specific areas of the design.
Synthetic Substrates
In most cases, people think of printing as always involving paper, but in many use cases, there are better choices than paper substrates. Enter synthetic substrates; this category of stocks includes materials like PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), styrene or vinyl. Synthetic substrates offer much different material properties when compared to paper; most often, they are more durable, water-resistant and withstand the elements much better than any paper stock would.
These characteristics for UV printing are a better fit for your project. UV printing is the preferred choice on these substrates as the UV lamps instantly dry the ink on top of these materials. Synthetic stocks are non-porous materials, meaning the ink could take 1-2 weeks to dry if printed with conventional inks.
UV Printing Frequently Asked Questions
UV printing utilizes ultraviolet light to instantly cure UV-curable ink on the substrate, providing fast production and high-quality UV prints.
UV Printing curable inks are applied to the substrate, and UV lights trigger a rapid photochemical reaction, quickly hardening the UV ink for immediate adhesion.
Advantages include rapid UV ink drying, versatility on various UV-compatible materials like paper and plastic in superior UV print quality, excellent UV print durability, and eco-friendliness due to minimal VOC emissions.
UV printing is compatible with a wide range of materials, including paper, plastic, metal, glass, wood, vinyl, foam boards, and ceramics, allowing for diverse UV print applications.
UV printing finds applications in various industries for UV print products such as signage, labels, packaging, event graphics, and interior decor, ensuring UV prints stand out with vibrant colors and sharp UV print images.
Though UV printing may have slightly higher initial costs due to specialized UV printing equipment and UV-curable inks, its UV print advantages often lead to long-term cost savings with increased UV print productivity and efficiency.
Yes, UV printing emits minimal VOCs, making it a more environmentally friendly UV printing option compared to some traditional printing methods that release harmful VOCs.
Yes, UV prints are resistant to UV exposure and harsh weather, making them ideal for UV print applications in outdoor environments.
Yes, UV printing allows for various special effects like gloss or matte UV print finishes, embossing, and raised textures, enhancing the tactile experience of UV print materials.
When deciding between UV printing and traditional methods, consider factors like substrate type, desired UV print quality, production speed, and budget. Consult UV printing professionals for personalized recommendations tailored to your UV printing needs.
There are many more types of printing than you think available, Rayment and Collins is proud to offer a range of capabilities to serve your needs. Talk to our knowledgeable team today about which printing technique is the best fit for your needs!
