The Emerging Technology Of UV Printing Within The Packaging And Printing Industry

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. As the printer passes over each spot where the ink has been printed, Ultraviolet lights follow close behind, instantly "curing" or drying the ink.

Ultraviolet print allows you to directly print onto almost any flat or 3D media. This allows you to create custom products. It is a popular choice for packaging companies because it allows you to print directly onto substrates and then expose it to ultraviolet light. The ink instantly solidifies.

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 solvents are evaporated into the air and allow the ink to absorb more easily onto the surface. Once it is vaporized, the ink leaves behind a digital picture. Different spray powders are available to speed drying times. This printing method cannot be used on materials such as plastics, acrylics or foil.

Ultraviolet (UV) Printing Process

The UV printer uses ultraviolet lights to quickly dry ink. The printer applies the ink to the surface of the material. After that, the UV lights dry it quickly. Ultraviolet printing is currently a trending topic within the printing sector and is more sustainable than conventional techniques.

UV ink can be printed directly on the substrate (material), and it transforms almost instantly from liquid to solid when exposed to UV light. You can print almost anything with UV inks because there is little to no evaporation and virtually no absorption of solvents into paper. This technology allows you to print directly onto a vast array of 3-D media. This allows for quick product customization.

UV inks are quick drying and leave no VOCs behind. UV printing can be an eco-friendly technology that leaves little 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, more efficient and provides superior results than traditional UV printing.

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. Additionally, it consumes less energy than traditional UV printing.

LED UV printing offers the long-lasting quality that luxury businesses strive for. LED UV printing is more reliable for the FMCG, pharmaceutical, and FMCG industries due to its quicker drying times. The final printed product is enhanced with color and finished with superior quality that makes a lasting impression.

LED-UV printing is a green and environmentally friendly technology. There is no VOC (Volatile Organic Chemical) emissions during the printing process. While companies require less infrastructure for LED printing units, consumers receive a premium 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. Furthermore, the final food packaging wasn't up to standard either.

The use of UV inks to print food packaging has been a great success. They cure during printing and leave no harmful solvents. Food manufacturers are increasingly using this method to customize food items and maintain 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. One form of security printing used in the pharmaceutical sector is UV printing.

Pharmaceutical labels, such as drug and medical brands, are unique in that they can be vulnerable to counterfeiting or forgery. For added protection, the pharmaceutical industry uses UV printing.

Invisible UV inks are used in pharmaceutical printing. They have been proven to be one the most effective methods for preventing counterfeiting within 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 Benefits

Grand Prints believes that ultraviolet printing will be the future in packaging and printing. It is economical and environmentally friendly, and its business-generating advantages are vast.

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 is much quicker than conventional printing, as you don't have to wait for your ink to dry as UV ink dries during the photochemical process - it's almost instantaneous!

It is economical: This method can help you save significant money because of its quicker drying time. You can print more because the finished product dries quickly. Plus, no aqueous coatings are necessary as with traditional inks for packaging printing.

A vibrant finish: UV printing provides a brighter appearance because there is no time for ink to soak into paper/material. This technique can produce 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 Full Color UV Printed Custom Products is expected to be the future of packaging technology and printing technology due to its cost-efficiency and eco-friendliness.