What materials cannot be printed with UV printers?

UV printers, which do not require plate-making and offer instant drying, can not only produce conventional printing effects but also create 3D and embossed ones. They have a wide range of printable materials, from small items like packaging boxes, cosmetic boxes, and USB drives to larger items like glass, ceramic tiles, wood, and metal. Hence, they are referred to as "universal printers," but this does not guarantee that they can do everything. The term "universal" primarily refers to a variety of printable materials. Compared to traditional printing equipment, UV printers have a wider range of materials, faster printing speeds, higher precision, and easier operation, saving labor and costs. However, there are still some materials that UV printers cannot handle.

The following are types of materials that UV printers cannot print and it is important to prevent them from damaging the printer:

1.Materials with excessive curvature:

If the undulation difference of the substrate exceeds 1 centimeter, a UV printer may not be able to complete full-size printing. The large inkjet distance may cause image blurring and ink scattering issues.

2. Materials with strong surface reflectivity: 

During printing, UV ink is dried by ultraviolet light. If the surface reflectivity of the material is too strong, UV light may reflect onto the printhead, causing the ink to dry before reaching the surface of the material, preventing the formation of an image. This could even lead to the condensation of ink that was not jetted inside the printhead, causing clogging.

3. Special post-processing materials: 

If post-processing techniques involve extremely high or low temperatures, strong acids, strong alkalis, etc., a UV printer may not be able to print. The UV ink can withstand temperatures between 150 and 270 degrees Celsius and if the temperature exceeds this range, the ink will not adhere to the surface of the material, resulting in image detachment or deformation. Additionally, strong acid or alkali environments can reduce the ink's adhesion, causing the image to detach from the material's surface.

Therefore, when using a UV printer for daily production, it is essential to avoid the above three situations to protect the printer from damage. As the UV printer application areas continue to expand, from regular graphic and advertisement printing to packaging, clothing, and accessories, more and more companies are focusing on brand building, leading to a growing demand for color printing products. This trend indicates a brighter future for UV printers.