When you hear of digital printing, you start painting a picture of printing that takes a digital trajectory. The same as UV printing. However, so much lies in these two forms of printing. Let’s look at each method separately before establishing their differences.
UV printing
This contemporary printing technique uses ultraviolet light to cure the printing ink. The curing of the ink happens instantly as the printing goes on. The printer moves along the substrate, pouring the ink across the surface. Following closely are UV lights that cure the ink immediately. The quick drying of the ink prevents it from spreading to other parts of the substrate. This allows the ink dots to stay only where required, giving finely detailed prints.
Also, the instant drying makes the ink resistant to weather and fading. This process can be used for prints that are exposed to rough climatic conditions. Its anti-fading abilities provide the prints with resilience through rough handling, abrasion, and corrosion.
UV printing inks
UV inks are chemically produced to do their work effectively. Hence, they may not be like random inks which are exposed to the air for drying. Instead, their drying undertakes a photochemical process when exposed to UV light. This process is friendly to virtually any substrate because the ink won’t spread across it.
Besides, this curing method is environmentally friendly and is considered green technology. It produces less odor and heat. You will have fewer VOCs and trouble caused by carbon footprints. This is because the inks don’t require isopropyl alcohol to work effectively. Hence, the worker won’t have any breathing complications in the future. Besides, they print directly on the substrate, taking shorter than typical printing.
UV printing process
This method uses a particular type of ink to print. The ink is exposed to ultraviolet lights after being poured onto the substrate. Hence, regardless of the material being printed, the ink doesn’t have a chance to spread across the surface. This unique feature makes the UV printing process applicable to any 3D media. Since it’s a direct printing process, it can be used for fast printing projects that require simple customization.
This technology applies to many industries, including pharmaceuticals, electronics, and food packaging.
Benefits of UV printing
- Applicable on a variety of media: UV printing produces less heat. This makes it applicable to heat-sensitive substrates such as glass. Besides, quick heat curing facilitates the same. So, you can print on plastic, glass, paper, wood, metal, etc.
- Speed: UV printing is fast and straightforward. It saves more time than conventional printing because the ink dries instantly.
- Budget-friendly: The fast drying time reduces the cost of aqueous coatings during packaging.
- High-quality results: The ink falls onto the specified spots without error. The UV lights follow closely to ensure the color spots remain intact as they solidify.
Digital printing
Digital printing involves the direct transfer of digital images onto a medium. It takes a meager amount of time. For instance, you can transfer a PDF file directly into the printer without creating plates. As time goes by, the quality of digital prints improves. Unlike before, you can enjoy a faster production rate, short turnaround time, and consistency.
The ability to customize digital prints comes with a few benefits. First, you can correct or adjust any print because the process excludes permanent plates so you can change your PDF file before printing.
Benefits of digital printing
- Fast production rate, hence short turnaround times
- The process results in high-quality prints
- Lower production cost per unit
- Digital printing vs UV printing
The table below demonstrates the difference between DGT and UV printing, given a few factors:
Factors
UV printing
Digital (DGT) printing
Curing method
UV light curing
High-temperature curing
Requires further processing?
No
Yes
Heat input
Requires low amounts of heat
Requires high heat amounts
Heat output
Produces low heat
Produces high heat
Can be used on heat-sensitive media?
Yes
No
Versatility of media
No limits on media
Limited to only heat-insensitive media
Print exposure
Prints exposed in outdoor don’t last long
Prints exposed outdoors last long
Weather resistance
Prints last long on plastic but short on glass
Prints last long on glass
Fine print
The print is more intricate
The print is high-quality but not entirely seamless
Production time
Takes shorter than DGT printing
A little longer than UV printing
Industry application
Signage, artistic decor, bottle printing, packaging, textiles, etc.
Brochures, banners, marketing, decals, graphics
Need printing plates?
Yes
No
Conclusion
The choice between UV printing and digital printing dramatically depends on the purpose. After defining how each works, the final choice lies with you. What do you need to print? How much funds are you willing to commit? How fast do you need to complete the project? And many other pertinent questions. Click here to find out more about these two printing methods.
