What is UV Printing?
No need for making setup film, saving costs.
Full-color printing is available on 3D surfaces.
Thicken inkjet printing effects can be achieved.
What materials are available for UV printing?
UV printing can be applied to a wide range of materials. Due to its fast drying and low absorbency properties, it provides a more diverse selection of materials, such as plastics, glass, metals, wood, ceramics, leather, paper, fabrics, and more. Among the materials commonly used for gift and souvenir items are zinc alloy, brass, iron, stainless steel, soft PVC, silicone, TPU, ABS, PVC, PC, leather, acrylic, and various fabric products.
Marine series UV printing badge
Leather chip holder
3D luggage tag
Hollowed creative bookmarks
Textured leather luggage tags
Multi-functional full-color print card holder
Acrylic stands
Acrylic keyring pendant
Acrylic mobile phone stand keyring
Hollowed creative bookmarks
textured leather luggage tags
multi-functional full-color print card holder
Acrylic stands
Acrylic keyring pendant
Acrylic mobile phone stand keyring
Choices and limitations of UV printing
Acrylic products
UV printing is commonly used on acrylic products because of the transparency of the material. If white ink is not added before printing, the result will have a semi-transparent perspective effect. White ink can be added full or partial area, allowing the product to have both solid and semi-transparent colors. If there are specific areas or borders that need to be highlighted, a layer of lacquer can be added after printing to achieve a partial gloss effect.
It is optional to add white ink or not.
Full or partial area to add white ink are both available.
Applying a layer of varnish after printing can enhance the gloss effect of specific areas or borders.(only available in surface printing method)
Without white background
Single side printing with white background
Double sides printing with white background
Besides the choice of whether to add white ink and lacquer during printing, the location of printing on acrylic products (surface or middle layer) can also create different visual effects. Watch the video to learn more!
Printing on acrylic can be combined with various different processes, such as laser engraving, glitter, epoxy dome (adding epoxy dome on the surface of the flat acrylic can give it a more 3D full appearance).
● Epoxy dome is available on surface of acrylic product.
● It is no problem to add laser engraving or glitter for acrylic products.
● Printing can be chosen to be on the surface (can add lacquer) or middle layer (N/A for lacquer)
Acrylic keychain
Acrylic stands
Acrylic phone ring stand
Mobile phone stand keyring
Wanna know more about Acrylic products with UV printing? please contact
✉️ sales@marktex.com.tw ☎️ 02-89681110
Metal Souvenirs
Flat surface + UV printing：There are many ways to do printing on flat surface. For products with a thickness requirement of 0.7mm to 2.0mm, silkscreen printing or offset printing can be used. For products with a thickness more than 2.0mm, it is used to use a zinc alloy base with printing decal, but now it is possible to use UV printing directly on thicker metal material to save costs. It should be aware that UV printing cannot add epoxy dome on surface, so those who prefer embossing effects still need to choose printing decal or modify the spray painting in the recessed area. In addition, UV printing can create a thick ink 3D effect by repeatedly layering the ink to protrude from the surface by about 0.2mm to 0.4mm. (The thicker the thickness, the heavier the line feel.)
UV printing with black nickel plated
UV printing on metal surface directly
Thicken UV printing effect
3D+2D UV printing
3D+ UV printing：In the past, designs with complicated colors needed to be simplified to meet the requirements of the manufacturing process, and 3D images often had to be processed in single color. With the help of UV printing, now 3D effects can be combined with full-color printing, and small lines & gradient colors are no longer a problem, making the image more vivid and attractive.
Embossed mirror effect + UV printing：UV printing can be add on debossed or embossed surfaces, and the different colors of plating will also affect the overall visual experience.
Soft enamel + UV printing：In addition to choosing the full-area printing method, you can also use the method of combining partial coloring with partial UV printing to create a more diverse range of products.
Besides gold and nickel plating, color plating or rainbow plating can also be combined with UV printing and applied to various gift, souvenir, and cultural and creative products. Unleash your creativity without limits! Whether you want to show the changes of light and shadow, the softness of pastel colors, or charming colors of the aurora in the sky, Marktex has rich experience in UV printing for gift and souvenir products and looks forward to exploring more exciting possibilities with you.
Contact us NOW! ✉️sales@marktex.com.tw
Flat metal area
Transforming marine creatures into 3D representations through multi-layered mold design. The surrounding scenery is enhanced with transparent color, soft enamel or imitation hard enamel colors, to create a more pronounced sense of depth. Wanna know more about metal products with UV printing? please contact
✉️ sales@marktex.com.tw ☎️ 02-89681110
Comparison of UV printing with other printing methods
In the application of gift and souvenir products, there are various printing techniques such as silkscreen printing, offset printing, pad printing, and heat transfer printing, each with its own advantages depending on the features of the material and the desired texture of the design. We will assist you in choosing the most suitable printing method for your design.
UV Printing
Feature : No setup film is required, suitable for small to medium volume production. Can be used on flat or curved surfaces.
Apply in metal products : Suitable for material zinc alloy, brass and iron. Can accept in thicker thickness material (approx. 2.0~5.0mm). Can add lacquer in surface but cannot add epoxy.
Apply in fabric products : Applying in material fine polyester. Suitable for sampling or small-scale production.
Silkscreen Printing
Feature : Suitable for single color with Pantone specified requirements. It has better printing precision and lower color deviation, making it suitable for large quantity orders.
Apply in metal products : Suitable for material aluminum, brass and stainless steel which thickness is approx. in 0.7~1.8mm. Lacquer and epoxy are both available.
Apply in fabric products : Applying in material polyester, nylon, canvas, cotton, PET and bamboo fiber.
Offset Printing
Feature : Suitable for multi-color or gradient colors, with better printing precision and less color deviation, suitable for large quantity orders.
Apply in metal products : Suitable for aluminum, brass and stainless steel in thickness approx. 0.7~1.8mm. Lacquer and epoxy are both available.
Apply in fabric products : Applying in material polyester, nylon, canvas, cotton, PET and bamboo fiber.
Heat transfer printing
Feature : High-temperature and high-pressure” transfer printing method is used to transfer the pattern on the transfer paper to the substrate. It is suitable for products with high heat resistance and smoothness.
Apply in metal products : Not available for heat transfer printing
Apply in fabric products : Suitable for material fine polyester. Colors are brighter and color fastness is better.
| Techniques | Feature | Apply in metal products | Apply in fabric products (lanyard/luggage tag) |
| UV Printing | No setup film is required, suitable for small to medium volume production. Can be used on flat or curved surfaces. | Suitable for material zinc alloy, brass and iron. Can accept in thicker thickness material (approx. 2.0~5.0mm). Can add lacquer in surface but cannot add epoxy. | Applying in material fine polyester. Suitable for sampling or small-scale production. |
| Silkscreen Printing | Suitable for single color with Pantone specified requirements. It has better printing precision and lower color deviation, making it suitable for large quantity orders. | Suitable for material aluminum, brass and stainless steel which thickness is approx. in 0.7~1.8mm. Lacquer and epoxy are both available. | Applying in material polyester, nylon, canvas, cotton, PET and bamboo fiber. |
| Offset Printing | Suitable for multi-color or gradient colors, with better printing precision and less color deviation, suitable for large quantity orders. | Suitable for aluminum, brass and stainless steel in thickness approx. 0.7~1.8mm. Lacquer and epoxy are both available. | Applying in material polyester, nylon, canvas, cotton, PET and bamboo fiber. |
| Heat transfer printing | High-temperature and high-pressure” transfer printing method is used to transfer the pattern on the transfer paper to the substrate. It is suitable for products with high heat resistance and smoothness. | Not available for heat transfer printing | Suitable for material fine polyester. Colors are brighter and color fastness is better. |
How to choose printing method? UV printing vs Silkscreen | Offset printing
Since there are so many advantages to UV printing, why not use it for all products? This is because UV printing is suitable for small quantity production. For large-scale production, silkscreen printing and offset printing are more effective in reducing production time and cost. UV printing is similar to the output of a home printer, and the inkjet process will also produce slight lines on the printing texture, so it cannot replace other printing methods. Marktex has various professional processing and production technologies and services and can provide the most suitable printing method according to your needs.
| UV printing | VS | Silkscreen / Offset printing |
| small-medium quantity | Quantity | All are suitable |
| N/A (except recess part) | Epoxy | Available |
| None | Setup fee | Yes |
| Available | Gradient color | Available |
| Good | Degree of color difference | Nicer |
| Good | Printing fineness | Nicer |
| Yes | Printing on 3D | None |
| faster in small quantity | Lead time | faster in large quantity |
UV printing
Quantity
Epoxy
Setup fee
Gradient color
Degree of color difference
Printing fineness
Printing on 3D
Lead time
small-medium quantity
N/A (except recess part)
None
Available
Good
Good
Yes
faster in small quantity
Silkscreen / Offset printing
Quantity
Epoxy
Setup fee
Gradient color
Degree of color difference
Printing fineness
Printing on 3D
Lead time
All are suitable
Available
Yes
Available
Nicer
Nicer
None
faster in large quantity
Why Choose Marktex?
There are many manufacturers that offer customized UV printing gift products in the market, and most of them can provide blank products for customers to choose and print directly. The advantage is that it has a fast delivery time and make selection process more simple for customers.
However, the quality of the materials varies, and the quality of the substrate will also affect the printing effect. If you want to customize unique and creative products, then you need Marktex to provide a one-stop professional service! From mold making to composite processes (UV printing + coloring + rhinestone) and customized exclusive accessories, we can provide the best suggestions and production based on customer designs.
★ Rush deadline – Welcome to choose our exist items with UV printing which can print directly
Lapel Pins｜Webcam Cover｜Acrylic Mobile Phone Stand Key Ring
★ Have an idea – please offer your design and discuss with us for the best way to realize it.
FAQ of UV Printing
Due to our factory is located in China, we do not offer service with offering printing object by customer.
Normally MOQ for UV printing product is 100~500pcs, depends on different products, please contact us for more information.
UV printing is a mature technology and is not easily removed by force or intentional scraping. However, like other printed products, normal wear and tear may occur over time with normal use, which is considered normal.
