Ink Category
TrueHue UV Inks
UV inks cure under UV light during printing. Because they do not need to penetrate the material, they can be used on surfaces such as cardboard, PVC, wood and metal; suitability varies with the product and the material.
- Ink family
- TrueHue
- Category
- UV
- Print medium
- Rigid and flexible surfaces
01 / About the Ink
What is UV ink
UV ink carries pigment in a carrier that contains a light-sensitive component. As soon as the ink leaving the print head is exposed to the machine's UV lamp or UV LED light, it polymerises into a solid film.
Because fixation does not rely on solvent evaporation, the ink stays on the surface without penetrating the material. It can therefore also be used on non-absorbent or low-absorbency rigid and semi-rigid surfaces; the suitable surface type varies with the ink series.
Surface preparation and adhesion are assessed separately for each material. The ink is considered together with machine configuration, print head, the material being printed and curing conditions.
02 / Applications
Applications
- 01
Rigid boards and signage
Signage and graphic prints on board-type materials.
- 02
Packaging and prototypes
Sample and prototype prints on cardboard and packaging materials.
- 03
Promotional products
Logo and pattern printing on flat-surface promotional products.
- 04
Flexible media
Banner and graphic prints on roll media, depending on system configuration.
Surface preparation and adhesion are verified with a test print on each material.
03 / Process
The ink's place in the process
- 01Surface Preparation
Surface preparation
The surface is cleaned and, if needed, prepared to support adhesion.
- 02Printing
Printing
The pattern is printed onto the material with UV-curing ink.
- 03UV Curing
UV curing
The ink hardens under UV light during printing.
- 04Finishing
Finishing
Steps such as cutting, assembly or packaging are applied according to the product.
Surface preparation and curing conditions are determined by the material and the ink series.
04 / Related Equipment
Related Machines and Equipment
These pages show the machines and process equipment associated with this ink category. Compatibility is not determined by the ink alone; machine configuration, print head and process conditions are assessed together.
- 01View the equipment
UV Printing System
05 / Knowledge Center
Ink Guide
- 01
What Is UV Ink and How Does It Cure?
UV ink is a system that polymerizes into a solid film the instant it's exposed to UV light after leaving the print head; because it doesn't need to penetrate the material, it can be used on rigid surfaces like cardboard, PVC, wood and metal.
Read the guide - 02
How Is Ink-Machine Compatibility Evaluated?
Ink-machine compatibility is the evaluation, both before and after installation, of whether a given ink series will run smoothly with a machine's print head and feeding system.
Read the guide