Types Of UV Inks

Types of UV Inks

UV ink refers to the ink that, under ultraviolet irradiation, utilizes ultraviolet light of different wavelengths and energies to polymerize the monomers in the ink binder into polymers, thereby quickly drying the ink. UV ink is a type of ink that does not use solvents, dries quickly, has good gloss, bright colors, and excellent water, solvent, and abrasion resistance. Currently, UV ink has become a relatively mature ink technology, with almost zero emissions of pollutants. UV inks are divided into hard inks, neutral inks, soft inks, and coating-free inks.

UV Hard Ink

When printing on relatively hard materials, hard ink should be used. The adhesion of hard ink is stronger, but its tensile and bending properties are weaker. When the material undergoes distortion, the printed pattern may crack.

Applicable materials: tiles, metal, wood panels, hard plastics, signs, acrylics, glass, integrated panels, small crafts, and other high-hardness materials.

UV Neutral Ink

Disadvantages: slightly lacking in hardness, not suitable for materials with high hardness requirements such as glass;

Applicable materials: acrylic, PS board, PVC foam board, KT board, etc.

UV Soft Ink

Soft ink can be printed on soft materials without causing layer breakage even when the material undergoes distortion. However, the ink layer is too soft, leaving scratch marks easily on hard materials;

Applicable materials: lamp cloth, soft film, wall cloth, wallpaper, car stickers, PVC film, PET sheets, oil canvas, 3P cloth, etc.

Coating-Free Ink

This type of coating-free ink refers to adding some coating raw materials to the original UV ink. This eliminates the need for a coating wiping process and directly improves adhesion and printing effects through the equipment nozzles, saving time and increasing production efficiency. It is worth noting that this coating-free ink mixes the ink with the coating liquid, increasing the risk of nozzle clogging and potentially reducing the color quality of printing.

Applicable materials: Smooth surfaces such as glass, acrylic, etc.