UV Printing: An Emerging Technology In The Packaging And Printing Industry 60258

What is UV Printing?

UV printing is a method of digital printing that makes use of ultraviolet light to cure ink and dry it as it is spread on the substrate. The printer will pass over the areas where ink is printed. Ultraviolet light follows closely behind and instantly "cure" or dry the ink.

Ultraviolet print allows you to directly print onto almost any flat or 3D media. This allows you to create custom products. This is why it is so popular among packaging solutions companies. When UV ink is printed onto a substrate, and it is exposed to ultraviolet light it immediately solidifies.

Conventional Printing Vs. Ultraviolet Printing: How Does It Work?

Traditional printing techniques use inks with special solvents that evaporate into the air upon application onto the material during printing. The evaporation of these solvents allows the ink to absorb into the surface more readily and, once evaporated, leaves behind a digital image. Spray powders can be used to speed up drying. However, this printing technique is not compatible with plastics, acrylics, foil, and other materials.

Ultraviolet (UV-) Printing Process

UV printing utilizes ultraviolet lights to dry the ink as it's printed quickly. The ink is applied to the material by the printer. UV lights quickly dry the ink. The printing industry is embracing ultraviolet printing as a new trend. It is more durable than traditional methods.

UV ink can be printed directly on the substrate (material), and it transforms almost instantly from liquid to solid when exposed to UV light. Because there's very little solvent evaporation and almost no absorption in paper, UV inks can be used to print practically any item. This technology allows for direct printing on a wide range of 3-D media. It also makes it possible to customize products quickly and easily.

UV inks dry quickly, leaving no VOCs behind. UV printing is an environmentally friendly technology that has a low carbon footprint.

LED UV Printing

Led-UV printing is the latest generation of UV printing technology, producing wavelengths at 385-395nm (nanometer). This light spectrum is safer and more efficient than its older counterpart, giving results far superior to those achieved through traditional UV printing methods.

Printing with led UV is a more practical choice than its UV counterpart. First, unlike UV printing which requires mercury lamps to cure the inks, led UV does not require them. This makes it safer and more affordable. The UV-A spectrum is where the UV light is emitted, making it safer than traditional UV printing. Furthermore, its power consumption is less than that of conventional UV printing.

LED UV printing is the best option for luxury companies looking for long-lasting results. Its faster drying time makes it more reliable in the FMCG and pharmaceutical industries. The final printed product is enhanced with color and finished with superior quality that makes a lasting impression.

LED-UV printing can be considered a sustainable and green technology. It emits no volatile organic compounds (VOC) during printing. Companies require less infrastructure to set up LED printing units, while consumers get a superior product with a glossy finish.

UV Printing in Food Packaging Industry

Digital UV printing is an excellent way to personalize products and keep them competitive in a global market.

Conventional printing techniques were dangerous as food items could become contaminated if ink substances were transferred from the printing plate onto the packaging. These inks were not cured, so they could be contaminated. The final packaging of food was also not up to standards.

This method of printing food packaging labels has proven to be a very successful one. UV inks cure while printing, so there are no hazardous solvents left that could contaminate the contents. More and more food manufacturers are pursuing this technique for customized food items while upholding high-quality standards.

UV Printing in Pharmaceutical Industry

Every industry has its own labeling requirements. Different applications necessitate different printing technology, from pharmaceutical to sports and food labels, durable to beverages and cosmetics - every brand comes with its aesthetic appeal. UV printing is one type of security printing popular within the pharmaceutical sector.

The uniqueness of pharmaceutical labels (such as medical and drug brands) is that they are susceptible to forgery or counterfeiting. For added protection, the pharmaceutical industry uses UV printing.

Pharmaceutical printing utilizes invisible UV inks, which have proven to be one of the most successful techniques for preventing counterfeiting in the pharmaceutical industry. These inks are not visible to the naked eye but can be lit by Ultraviolet LEDs. Invisible UV inks are a powerful deterrent to counterfeiters because they have unique identification numbers attached each time a pharmaceutical item is opened.

UV Printing Offers Untold Advantages

Grand Prints argues that ultraviolet printing is the future of packaging and printing. It's cost-effective and sustainable, Full Color UV Custom Printed Products with many benefits for business.

LED Print Applications: LEDs provide a cool and dry touch with minimal heat output, making them ideal for printing on heat-sensitive substrates such as self-adhesive sheets, thin slides, or stretched PVC materials.

UV Printing is Faster than Traditional Printing. UV printing doesn't require you to wait for ink to dry. The photochemical process evaporates the ink, so it can be done almost immediately!

It is economical: This method can help you save significant money because of its quicker drying time. As the finished product dries quickly, you can print more anytime. You don't have to use aqueous coatings like traditional inks for printing packaging.

Vibrant Finish: UV printing offers a more vibrant appearance since there is no time for the ink to soak into the paper/material. This method can create photo-realistic prints.

The Bottom Line

UV printing is a new industry trend which promises to grow over the next few years and have applications in many industries. It is expected to be the future of packaging technology and printing technology due to its cost-efficiency and eco-friendliness.