In the digital printing industry, UV printers and UV DTF printers are advanced technical equipment, each of which has its own unique advantages and application scenarios. Although both devices carry “UV” in their names, there are significant differences in their working principles, application ranges, printing methods, and so on. This article will explore the differences between UV printers and UV DTF printers in detail, so that readers can better understand the two devices and choose according to their own needs.
I. Definition and working principle
UV printer
UV printer, that is, the use of ultraviolet (UV) or near-ultraviolet light as an irradiation source, the text and text transfer to paper or other media equipment. The essence of UV printing is a kind of piezoelectric inkjet printing. The ultraviolet light emitted by the LED cold light source lamp reacts with the oxygen in the air, so that the UV ink reacts chemically in the UV curing agent, resulting in the pigment molecules in the ink curing on the surface of the material, thus completing the printing action. The printing process of a UV printer includes editing and drawing patterns, adding white inkjet functions, placing materials, and initiating printing.
UV DTF printer
UV DTF printing is a new type of crystal label printing, the full name is UV Direct-to-Film printing. UV DTF printing requires glue, white UV DTF ink, UV varnish and other materials to print the design pattern on the AB film, and then cover the transfer film for transfer. This technology enables the printed design pattern to be transferred to the surface of the object, the appearance is three-dimensional, like crystal, so it is also known as crystal paste. There are two main methods of UV DTF printing: flat plate printing and roll-to-roll printing.
2. Printing methods and steps
UV printer printing methods and steps
UV printers can print flat plates as well as 3D embossed prints. The printing process consists of the following steps:
Edit and draw emboss color areas in computer photo printing software.
Add white inkjet typing to print control software.
Place the material on the UV printer platform.
Click on the device to start printing.
UV printers are suitable for a variety of materials, including metal coating, ABS coating, leather coating, silicone coating, glass coating, PC coating, etc.
UV DTF printer printing methods and steps
UV DTF flat printing steps are as follows:
Peel off the A film (with glue on the surface, generally A4 or A3 size, not into rolls).
Tear off the surface of the A film to expose the rubber surface, arrange the rubber surface on the flatbed printer, and fix the four corners on the printer flat plate.
Print white, then print CMYK color picture.
Use a laminating machine to cover and laminate the B film.
Use cutting equipment (or cutting by hand or with scissors) to cut along the edges of the image.
Take an image from it, peel off film A, paste the design image onto the surface of the product, press back and forth a few times with your finger, and then peel off film B.
UV DTF roll-to-roll printing steps are relatively simple:
Design patterns and draw spot color areas.
The UV DTF printer prints directly on A film (A film can be placed in rolls).
After printing the design pattern, the film is automatically applied.
Manual or machine cutting to transfer patterns to a variety of hard material surfaces.
UV DTF printers are suitable for paper, plastic, acrylic, glass, ceramics, metal and other hard material surfaces, including luggage, mugs, mobile phone cases, etc.
3. Application scope and advantages
Application range and advantages of UV printer
UV printers are widely used in advertising and banner industry, gift processing industry, signage and sign industry, decoration and decoration industry, personalized printing industry, etc. Its advantages include:
Fewer printing processes: Direct printing without additional transfer steps.
Fast printing speed: suitable for large-scale production, improve production efficiency.
Low cost: The purchase cost and maintenance cost of UV printers are relatively low.
Good adhesion: Strong adhesion after UV ink curing, printing pattern is not easy to fall off.
High print quality: the image is full of convex, with 3D relief effect.
However, UV printers are not suitable for direct printing of curved products, and the printing effect is not ideal. For products with a printing bump difference greater than 7mm, it may cause flying ink and loose ink, so try to print the effect below 7mm. If you want to print directly on curved objects, you can consider a professional cylinder UV printer.
Application range and advantages of UV DTF printer
UV DTF printer is mainly used in paper packaging or gift boxes, glass products surface or interior (such as pet personality plate), acrylic products, metal, plastic, leather and other materials. Its advantages include:
Wide print range: Suitable for a variety of hard and soft materials, including smooth and frosted surfaces.
Personalized customization: Patterns can be quickly transferred to various materials to meet individual needs.
Easy transfer: Although there are many printing steps, the transfer process is simple and flexible.
Scratch-resistant and wear-resistant: After transferring to the hard material surface, the pattern is scratch-resistant and wear-resistant, suitable for long-term use.
Good printing effect: strong three-dimensional pattern, like crystal, enhance the visual effect of the product.
UV DTF printers are suitable for printing on difficult surfaces such as walls, floors, Windows, and inside cups, solving the problem that UV printers cannot print on these surfaces. However, the acquisition cost of UV DTF printers is high, and the printing efficiency is relatively low, which is not suitable for large-scale production.
4. Comparison of advantages and disadvantages
Advantages and disadvantages of UV printer
Advantages:
High flexibility: it is not limited by materials, and can print wood, canvas, leather, glass and other materials.
Strong immediacy: no waiting time, you can use it after printing.
High print quality: high color density and saturation, fine and vivid print quality.
Durability: The print is resistant to scratching, fading, water and chemicals and cleaners.
Cons:
Not suitable for curved surface printing: For curved surface products, the printing effect is not ideal.
Printing restrictions: For products with large printing bump and drop, it may cause flying ink and loose.
Advantages and disadvantages of UV DTF printer
Advantages:
Wide print range: Suitable for a variety of hard and soft materials, including smooth and frosted surfaces.
Personalized customization: To meet individual needs, patterns can be quickly transferred to a variety of materials.
Scratch-resistant and wear-resistant: After transferring to the hard material surface, the pattern is scratch-resistant and wear-resistant.
Breaking the limit: solves the problem that UV printers cannot print on smooth surfaces.
Cons:
High acquisition cost: Compared with UV printers, the acquisition cost of UV DTF printers is higher.
Low printing efficiency: many printing steps, not suitable for mass production.
5. Conclusion
UV printers and UV DTF printers each have their own unique advantages and application scenarios. UV printer is suitable for direct printing of flat materials, has the advantages of high flexibility, fast printing speed, low cost, good adhesion and strong, but is not suitable for curved surface printing and printing products with large bump. UV DTF printer is suitable for a variety of hard and soft materials transfer printing, with a wide range of printing, personalized customization, anti-scratch wear and other advantages, but the acquisition cost is high, printing efficiency is not high enough.
When choosing a UV printer or a UV DTF printer, it is necessary to comprehensively consider factors such as your own printing needs, material type, and production scale. For enterprises that need large-scale production and flat material printing, UV printers are a better choice; For enterprises that need personalized customization and transfer printing, UV DTF printers are more advantageous.
In short, both UV printers and UV DTF printers are important equipment in the digital printing industry, and they each play an irreplaceable role, providing more choices and possibilities for the production and customization of enterprises.
