UV printing is a form of digital printing that uses ultra-violet lights to dry or cure ink as it is printed. As the printer distributes ink on the surface of a material (called a “substrate”), specially designed UV lights follow close behind, curing – or drying – the ink instantly.

What is UV ink used for?

UV printing is a unique method of digital printing utilising ultraviolet (UV) light to dry or cure ink, adhesives or coatings almost as soon as it’s hit the paper, or aluminium, foam board or acrylic – in fact, as long as it fits in the printer, the technique can be used to print on almost anything.

What is UV ink made of?

UV inks are made up of oligomers, monomers, pigments, additives and photoinitiators. The polymerisation reaction can be via a radical or cationic mechanism. There is 1.5 to 2 times more pigment in UV inks than in solvent and water-based inks.