Overview
UV-curable inkjet prints and instantly cures with UV lamps on rigid and some flexible substrates—signs, phone cases, awards, and promotional hard goods.
Quick facts
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Best for
- 2D · cured ink
- Typical output
- Phone cases, Signs, Coasters
- Typical cost
- Desktop UV $2,000–$8,000; flatbed industrial $15,000–$100,000+
Excellent for
- Full-color graphics on rigid blanks (acrylic, wood, metal with coating)★★★★★
- Branded phone cases, tags, and awards★★★★★
- Short runs with tactile varnish or white underbase options★★★★★
Compatible with
Pros & cons
Pros
- ✔Full-color graphics on rigid blanks (acrylic, wood, metal with coating)
- ✔Branded phone cases, tags, and awards
- ✔Short runs with tactile varnish or white underbase options
Cons
- ✘Standard cotton apparel (use DTF, DTG, or screen print)
- ✘Food-contact items without certified inks and coatings
- ✘Outdoor signage without UV-stable media and lamination
Creator & maker guides
Equipment
- Flatbed UV printer
- Cylinder / rotary UV printer
Materials
- UV-curable CMYK + white + varnish inks
- Primer for difficult plastics
- Acrylic, aluminum, wood, leather (surface dependent)
- Jigs for consistent height on uneven items
Machine settings
No items yet.
Quality control
No items yet.
Best practices
- 1Source blanks rated for UV adhesion from consistent suppliers.
- 2Wipe substrates with alcohol before print; use primer when specified.
- 3Provide PNG at print resolution with bleed for wrapped items.
- 4Expect maker R&D time on new blank shapes—jigs matter.
Common mistakes
Ink peeling from oily or low
surface
White ink settling/clogging if not agitated dail…
White ink settling/clogging if not agitated daily
Print head strikes on warped or tall objects
Print head strikes on warped or tall objects
Color shift on dark substrates without sufficien…
Color shift on dark substrates without sufficient white base
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Ink peeling from oily or low-surface-energy plastics | See guides below for context | Review creator/maker tabs and troubleshooting table |
| White ink settling/clogging if not agitated daily | See guides below for context | Review creator/maker tabs and troubleshooting table |
| Print head strikes on warped or tall objects | See guides below for context | Review creator/maker tabs and troubleshooting table |
| Color shift on dark substrates without sufficient white base | See guides below for context | Review creator/maker tabs and troubleshooting table |
Helpful tools
DPI & resolution calculator
SoonImage size calculator
SoonBleed generator
SoonAspect ratio calculator
SoonHeat press time & temperature
SoonSublimation wrap calculator
Soon