Advantages and Disadvantages of UV Inks

 UV ink is a type of ink that is dried or cured using ultraviolet lights. It was introduced in the early 1970s but became popular in the early 2000s. According to industry experts, UV inks significantly improve efficiency, production cost, and output quality.

Specially designed UV lights cure and dry the ink as it is distributed by the printer on the material (known as the "substrate"). Because UV lights can instantly cure any printed ink, dots of wet ink do not spread out when printed, resulting in higher-quality printed material. Furthermore, UV-cured inks resist temperature changes and have a higher fading resistance.

According to experts, this curing process is more environmentally friendly because it emits less odor and heat. Furthermore, UV printing enables flatbed printers to be used with non-traditional materials such as acrylic or aluminum.

What are the advantages of UV-curable ink?

VOC FREE

The most notable benefit of UV curing ink is the lack of solvent fumes, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are considered a significant health risk and also a 

By far, the most significant advantage of UV curing ink is the lack of solvent fumes (also known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs for short). In addition to smelling bad, VOCs are a health risk to our employees and a significant contributor to air pollution. Using UV curing inks displays your commitment to adhering to sustainable living.

SPEED OF PRODUCTION

Prints are instantly cured and ready to be finished after instant drying.

QUALITY OF IMAGES

Because the inks can only be reacted with strong UV light, they do not clog heads or screens like solvent-based inks, allowing for greater output and less maintenance. 

QUALITY OF COLOR

Because UV inks lack an evaporated solvent, the ink deposit is a colorant. They also do not absorb into porous materials; instead, they sit on the surface. This gives UV ink more color intensity while using less ink.

DURABILITY

The ink molecules' cross-linking makes them more durable. Bink Inks' pigmented UV inks have a wide color gamut, clean, intense colors, smooth tonal gradations, excellent adhesion, and compatibility with various coated and uncoated substrates.

 Disadvantages of UV curing inks

• UV inks do not dry unless they are first cured.

• Spills are difficult to remove. If workers step in the spilled ink, it will adhere to them, and they may unknowingly track it across multiple rooms.

• The initial startup costs, including printer investment, are high compared to other inks.

• To fix colors, multiple anilox rolls are required.

• Operators must remember to avoid making direct skin contact. UV inks are known to irritate the skin. In some cases, people may experience allergic reactions that they are unaware of until they come into contact with the ink.

UV inks have many advantages, but like any other product, it has their fair share of drawbacks, however, the pros outweigh the cons so it is best to understand your requirements and choose the wide format printer pigment ink that best suits your needs.

Bink Inks wide format printer inks are manufactured in the US and follow strict quality assurance measures with pricing you can afford. The production practice follows the strictest quality assurance standards. You can be confident that you are buying only the best UV-curing inks.