Deciding between a UV printer and a digital printer can be tough when considering the benefits and costs.
UV printers use UV light to dry the ink, prints are vibrant and durable on plastic, glass and metal. This is perfect for high end long lasting prints. Digital printers are more affordable and use inkjet or laser, good for paper based printing and everyday use.
In this post we will look at the benefits of each to help you decide which one is best for you.
Table of Contents
What Is The Difference Between UV Printer And Digital Printer?
Recommended Reading:
UV Flatbed Printer Vs. UV DTF Printer, What’S The Difference?
I. Printed Materials
When comparing UV printers and digital printers one of the biggest differences is the materials they can print on.
UV Printers Versatility
UV printers are very versatile in the materials they can print on. Using UV light to cure the ink, UV printers can print on:
- Wood
- Plastics
- Metals
- Glass
- Acrylics
- Ceramics
- 3D reliefs
UV printers are perfect for businesses that need to print on non flat, heat sensitive or unique materials. For example you can print custom designs on cell phone cases, tiles, pens or even wooden items which most digital printers can’t handle.
Digital Printers Limitations
Digital printers especially inkjet are limited to the types of materials they can print on. They work well on:
- Flat materials like paper
- Fabric, 100% cotton
- Some plastics
Digital printers like DTG (direct-to-garment) printers are limited by the heat sensitivity of the materials. Printing on dark fabrics or non flat surfaces can be tricky. For example you can print on t-shirts or canvas bags but printing on non flat items like pens or tiles doesn’t work well.
Pro Tip: By knowing these material capabilities you can choose the right printer for the products you want to create. If your business needs flexibility on materials a UV printer has the upper hand.
II. Drying Methods
UV Printers use LED ultraviolet (UV) light curing technology. This method allows you to print and dry in one step, UV light cures the ink through a photopolymerization process. By removing drying time UV printers speed up production and reduce waiting time.
Digital Inkjet Printers use infrared drying or other curing methods. Common methods are:
- Heat Pressing: Common in Direct to Garment (DTG) printing, this method uses a press to cure the ink, adds time and energy costs.
- Tunnel Drying: This method requires printed materials to pass through heated tunnels, delays completion and increases operational costs.
- Box Dryers: Good for larger or more complex prints but requires precise control to avoid over curing or damaging the material.
Expert Tip: With UV LED you avoid the maintenance and frequent replacements of traditional infrared systems. UV systems last longer and require less maintenance, no UV bulb replacements and less downtime for more productivity.
Wander Yang, Marketing @DTF Station
III. Print Clarity and Quality
When comparing UV printers and digital printers UV printers win in precision and color. Using UV light to cure instantly they produce sharp and clear images that last over time. The instant curing stops the ink from bleeding or spreading and gives crisp details and accurate dot placement which means better print clarity.
UV Printer
- Instant curing stops ink bleed, gets clear and precise prints.
- Wide color gamut: With advanced inks like Roland DG’s EUV5 inks (including Orange and Red) UV printers can produce vibrant colors even in shades that were previously impossible to reach.
- Perfect for high precision prints with detailed graphics like logos and branding materials.
Digital printers get sharp results but can’t match the vibrancy and color depth of UV printing. They use color calibration for accuracy especially in text and detailed images but lack the richness and depth of UV prints.
Digital Printer
- High quality text and detailed images with color accuracy.
- Good for standard printing needs but less vibrant than UV printers.
If you need clear, vibrant, high quality prints a UV printer is the better choice for your business. If you want to know how much does a UV Printer cost​?, you can read this article for more information.
IV. Weather Resistance and Durability
When choosing between a UV printer and a digital printer for your business you need to consider weather resistance and durability as these affect the quality and lifespan of your printed materials.
UV Printer
UV prints are weather resistant to some extent but not as durable as digital prints in some environments. UV cured inks resist fading better but durability depends on exposure conditions. For example UV prints last 2-3 years indoors but may start to degrade in a few months when exposed to outdoor conditions. UV printed glass may change color after 30 days of natural outdoor exposure and may crack or curl within 3 months.
But UV prints have some advantages, quick production time and versatility especially for indoor applications where the environment is controlled.
Digital Printer
Digital printers using ceramic inks are weather resistant. The ink bonds with the material through a high temperature sintering process which makes the print highly resistant to fading, water, alkali and other harsh conditions. Digital prints hold up well in outdoor environments with much longer lifespan than UV prints.
Plus digital printing allows additional processing like tempering, laminating and insulating which makes the final product safer and more durable.
If you want to know more about the UV printer, feel free to discuss with our team of experts.
V. Cost-Effectiveness
UV printers and digital printers have their own advantages for different production needs.
UV Printer
UV printing is very cost effective as it has no drying time which means faster production. This makes UV printers good for tight deadlines or large volume projects. The cost per unit is low, from $1.25 to $1.44 per square meter ($12.5 to $14.4 per square foot).
For example printing a mobile phone case with a UV printer costs around $0.0443 which is ink, electricity and labor. A wood panel costs around $16.36 per panel. This low cost per unit plus fast production means you can increase your margin and reduce downtime.
Digital Printer
Digital printers are good for small batches with quick turnaround as they don’t require extensive setup. This makes them cost effective for low volume projects. But for large volume production digital printing is not as economical as UV printing due to higher ink cost and slower speed.
Small digital printers range from $4000 to $7000, large format from $20,000 to $40,000. Ink prices range from $16 to $63 per liter which adds up to significant cost over time. Fast for small jobs but not as efficient for bulk production as UV printing.
VI. Ink Types and Curing
UV printers have advantages over traditional digital printers when it comes to ink types and curing process.
UV Printer
UV printers use UV inks that cure instantly under ultraviolet light. This fast curing process means the print is dry and ready for handling right after printing. No smudging and faster delivery time. UV inks are also eco-friendly, they emit less volatile organic compounds (VOCs) compared to traditional inks, high quality print without harming the environment.
Digital Printer
Digital printers like DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printers use water-based inks that require heat to cure. These inks need additional time, usually using heat presses or tunnel dryers which can slow down the printing process. DTG inks do not cure instantly and can take minutes to hours to fully set.
Benefits:
- Speed: UV printers makes your prints ready for processing and delivery immediately with the quick curing technology. You can meet tight deadlines and improve workflow.
- Versatility: UV printers can print on various materials like plastics, glass, metal and wood so you can expand your business opportunities.
- Environmental Impact: UV inks are more eco-friendly, a greener printing solution for sustainability.
In summary, UV printers is faster, more versatile and eco-friendly compared to traditional digital printers that require more time and special equipment for curing.
Suggested Reading:What is UV Curing Technology?
Conclusion
UV printers and digital printers both produce high quality prints. UV printers use ultraviolet light to cure ink, can print on plastic, wood and glass. Digital printers are good for paper based projects.
Faster drying time and more durable with UV printing, speed and flexibility on standard materials with digital printing. Choose the right printer for your business. For custom hot stamping machine or different printer inquiry, contact us at LeelinePack.com or [email protected].
FAQ
1. What is a UV printer?
- A UV printer uses ultraviolet (UV) light to cure or dry the ink as it is printed onto a surface. The UV light instantly dries the ink. It allows printing on non-porous materials like plastic, glass, metal, and wood.
2. What is a digital printer?
- A digital printer prints digital images directly onto various materials, like paper and fabric. It does this without traditional printing plates or screens. It includes inkjet, laser, and toner-based printers.
3. How do UV printers work?
- UV printers use ink that is sensitive to ultraviolet light. A UV light source immediately cures the ink as it is applied to a surface. This hardens the ink and bonds it to the material. This allows for vibrant, durable prints on non-traditional substrates.
4. How do digital printers work?
- Digital printers receive digital files. They use inkjet or laser tech to print directly on the medium. Inkjet printers spray liquid ink, while laser printers use heat and toner to print.
5. What materials can UV printers print on?
- UV printers can print on many materials, including non-porous ones. These include glass, metal, plastic, acrylic, ceramics, and wood. They can also print on traditional materials like paper and fabric.
