31 Mar How Long Does UV Printing Last
With the evolving trends in every industry, the printing world is also emerging. Traditional screen-printing was the only method that was used for a long time. However, the introduction of UV Printing has changed the face of the printing industry and allowed it to grow at an insurmountable pace. This new printing technique is slowly taking over the world, but many people are still unaware of the process and how it can benefit them. If you are thinking about enhancing the quality of your prints, UV printing will be the best solution for you. Below we have discussed this technique in detail to help you understand the emerging trend and make the best choice for yourself.
What is UV Printing?
UV printing is a type of digital printing. The process uses ultraviolet light to dry or cure the ink when it is printed on an object or surface. The printer moves on the surface spreading the ink to create a design, and ultraviolet light follows it closely to dry or cure the ink where the design is printed. These lights are able to cure the ink instantly and will give you impeccable results.
Due to UV printing, you will be able to use direct printing technology on a limitless range of media. Thus, you will be able to improve the overall experience of personalization and customization. The quick turnaround time is one of the major reasons why UV printing is used in the food packaging industry extensively.
How Does it Work Compared to Traditional Printing Methods?
Special types of inks are used in UV printing methods. These inks have solvents in them that evaporate in the air when applied to the material during the printing process. Once the solvents are evaporated the liquid ink turns solid and the dried ink will give you a digital image printed on the material of your choice. The conventional process might need additional spray powders that help or speed up the drying process. Also, the conventional process is not suitable for several materials such as plastic, aluminum, foil, acrylics, etc.
UV printing on the other hand is done using an LED UV printer. The printer follows a series of quick processes that will create the print that you want. The ink is applied to the material and is instantly dried by the following UV lights. The UV printing process is quick, and you will get instant results and a digital image in a few seconds. The turnaround time of this method is superfast as the ink is dried through the photochemical process. Since the evaporation of solvents is minimal, no ink is absorbed in the material stock. There are many advantages of UV printing over traditional processes, and this is what makes it the future of digital printing.
How Long Does it Last?
UV printing has an outdoor durability of at least 2 years without fading. The print will last up to 5 years without fading if it’s laminated. However, the usage, material, and environmental factors play a massive role in determining the life of a print. Thus, depending on these factors the UV prints will last between 2 to 5 years in an outdoor setting. However, these prints will last for many years in an indoor setting. So, if you plan on using the material indoors, you will not have to worry about fading for many years to come.
Benefits of UV Printing
UV printing is slowly becoming a major part of many industries. This technique has the potential to become the future of prints and dominate the market. Uv printing has several benefits over traditional and other digital printing mediums, and some of the most notable ones are:
- A broader scope of print applications – With LEDs you will experience minimal heat output during the printing process. This is why these solutions offer a broader scope of printing applications. With this method, you can easily print on several materials, even heat-sensitive ones. Also, this method is perfect for printing on self-adhesive sheets or PVC stretch materials.
- Quicker than traditional printing – UV printing is much faster than conventional methods. Since you won’t need to wait for the ink to dry, you will get near-instant results from this method.
- Cost-effective – The faster drying time will help you save a lot of money. Since the material will dry faster you will be able to finish the project in desired time and take up more projects. Also, when using this method for printing, you will not need an additional coating as required in traditional processes.
- Vibrant finish – Since UV lights give no time for the ink to soak into the material, you will end up with a more vibrant finish. You will also be able to achieve photorealistic results using the UV printing method.
Final Words
UV printing is the future, as we step into the digital age, the printing industry catches on. Among all digital mediums, you will get the best experience from UV printing. The technique offers quick results and gives you better quality among all your prints. The print will last longer and you will get better ROI due to quick and simple methods. If you are looking for a trusted partner to help you with UV printing, have a look at COLART. We offer the best UV printing in Dubai, UAE. Visit our website to browse our services or get in touch with our experienced team to discuss your specific projects at +971 55 9745050
