Notes

UV Printing: An Emerging Technology in the Packaging and Printing Industry

What is UV Printing?

UV printing, a digital type of printing that uses ultraviolet light to cure or dry ink while it's being spread on the surface, is a form of digital printing. 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. 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 uses inks that are infused with special solvents. These solvents evaporate into the air when the ink is applied to the material. These solvents evaporate into the air, allowing ink to soak into the surface faster and leaving behind a digital image once it has dried. Spray powders can be used to speed up drying. However, this printing technique is not compatible with plastics, acrylics, foil, and other materials.

The Ultraviolet (UV), Printing Process

UV printing utilizes ultraviolet lights to dry the ink as it's printed quickly. The printer applies the ink to the surface of the material. After that, the UV lights dry it quickly. 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. As there's little evaporation of solvents and almost no absorption into paper, you can print virtually anything with UV inks. 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. Additionally, it consumes less energy than traditional 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. Customers get color enhancements on the final printed products with superior finishing that leaves a lasting impression on buyers.

LED-UV printing is a green and environmentally friendly technology. There is no VOC (Volatile Organic Chemical) emissions during the printing process. The infrastructure required to install LED printing units is less expensive for companies, and the end result is a better product with a gloss 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 was dangerous because inks from the printing plate could be transferred onto food items inside the packaging. Furthermore, since these inks weren't cured and exposed to potential hazards, there was always the potential risk for contamination. Also, the final food packaging was not up to standard.

The use of UV inks to print food packaging has been a great success. They cure during printing and leave no harmful solvents. This technique is being used by more food manufacturers to create customized food products while maintaining high quality standards.

UV Printing in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Each industry is different. 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.

Pharmaceutical labels, such as drug and medical brands, are unique in that they can be vulnerable to counterfeiting or forgery. In order to combat these practices, UV printing is used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Pharmaceutical printing uses invisible UV inks. This has been shown to be one of most effective techniques to prevent counterfeiting in the pharmaceutical sector. 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

Ultraviolet printing is unquestionably the future of printing and packaging, as Grand Prints suggests. It's cost-effective and sustainable, with many benefits for business.

LED Print Applications: LEDs are cool and dry, with very little heat output. They can be used to print on heat-sensitive substrates like self-adhesive sheets or thin slides.

UV Printing Is More Fast Than Traditional Printing. Because UV ink is evaporative during the photochemical process, it doesn't take long for inks to dry. It's almost instantaneous.

Cost-Effective: With this technique, you can save considerable money due to its faster drying time. As the finished product dries quickly, you can print more anytime. Plus, no aqueous coatings are necessary as with traditional inks for packaging printing.

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

The Bottom Line

The emerging trend of UV printing will continue to grow in the future and be used across many industries. Because of its eco-friendly, cost-effective, and varied nature, UV printing will be the future in packaging and printing technology.
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