UV vs Latex Printing

The large-format print industry is evolving rapidly and experiencing growth and change with the influx of technologies in the market. The big question is -which of these technologies to invest in? The ongoing need for sign companies and print service providers to enrich their product offerings, deliver their output in a shorter time window, and improve their profitability is the key driving force here.

UV Printers offer many benefits in the LFP market. UV Curable printing always offers opportunities to reduce the impact of printing on the environment relative to solvent-based printing. It is still considered to be fast-growing technology in the wide-format market.

UV printers are excellent for any application which involves the printing of a variety of substrates. The inks are cured and fixed with UV light. Both flexible roll materials and single sheets, but also rigid print media and even glass can be printed on. Latex printers require preprint and post-print heaters to cure the media, resulting in higher energy consumption compared to other inkjet technologies. Some substrates may buckle under higher temperatures.

Main Advantages of UV Printers over Latex:

• UV curing provides more print options in various substrates
• Lower picolitre drop sizes compared to latex
• Less maintenance
• Fewer consumables
• Less operating cost
• Reduced material cost
• Less downtime in production vs a full day in latex
• 1-2 or even fewer printheads to be replaced compared to 20 to 30 printheads in latex over its life
• Ink yield is 25 to 30 % more
• Ink consumption is cheaper than latex
• Less power consumption
• Lower cost per sqm

According to a survey, print service providers have started shifting their buying preference more towards UV printers than latex. (50% favored UV while 32% indicated purchasing Latex).

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