UV printing on metal

Industrial applications: In industry, UV printing on metal is used to mark machine parts with serial numbers, barcodes, connector indications, or instruction labels.

Branding and advertising: UV printing on metal is widely used in the advertising and branding sector. Metal signs, displays, and panels can easily be printed with company logos, promotional text, and product information. This provides an effective way to promote brands and increase a company’s visibility.

Decorative applications: With UV printing on metal, artists and interior designers can create creative and decorative pieces. Metal plates, sculptures, and other decorative objects can be provided with detailed designs, patterns, and images, creating unique and aesthetically appealing decorative items.

Print quality: UV printers deliver high-quality prints with sharp details, vibrant colors, and an excellent color gamut. They can accurately reproduce small details and complex designs.

Durability: UV prints on metal are resistant to wear, scratches, and fading, making them long-lasting and resistant to various environmental influences.

Speed: Because UV ink is cured immediately under the UV lamp, the printing process is fast and the ink is instantly dry.

Materials: UV printing on metal offers the possibility to print on various types of metal surfaces, including stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and brass.

Environmentally friendly: UV inks do not contain harmful solvents (VOCs) and do not cause air pollution. They are an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional inks.

Equipment cost: The initial investment in UV printers and UV inks can be high. This may pose a barrier for smaller businesses or individuals interested in using this technology.

Color gamut: Although UV printers can reproduce a wide range of colors, the color gamut is more limited than with some other printing techniques. This may affect accuracy when matching specific colors.

First, the design to be printed is converted into a file format suitable for Contour’s UV printers. The resulting file is linked to the master file of the article to be printed in Contour’s ERP system.

Before the UV printing process begins, the metal surface must be properly prepared. The surface must be free of contaminants such as dust, grease, and dirt, as these can hinder the adhesion of UV ink.

Then comes the printer configuration. The correct settings, such as print quality, print speed, and ink supply, must be selected to achieve the desired result. For a first product, a test print may be created to ensure that the design is reproduced correctly and that the printer is configured properly for the metal surface.

During the UV printing process, it is important to conduct regular quality checks to ensure that the prints meet the required standards. Any deviations or problems can be detected and resolved before the printing process continues.

Laser engraving: With laser engraving, a permanent marking can be applied to the material.

Pen engraving: On our punch-laser combination, we can mark sheet metal with a pen tool.

Small format Mimaki UJF-6042 Mk2 UV-Printer (pdf)

Large format Mimaki JFX200-2513 EX UV-Printer (pdf)