Why are UV inks soft and hard?

• July 31 2024

UV ink is a specialized ink used by UV flatbed printers , but the flexibility and hardness of this ink depend on the specific material being printed. For example, hard materials such as metal , glass, wood, and ceramics require the use of hard UV inks when printed with a UV flatbed printer . On the other hand, soft materials such as mobile phone cases , non-woven leather bags , etc., require the use of soft ink because these materials are inherently delicate. When printing with hard ink, cracks or even large pieces of the design may appear when the product is folded , stretched , or bent . Using specialized soft UV ink eliminates these concerns. Soft UV ink is also capable of printing on rigid products. Unfortunately, the cost of soft ink is higher than hard ink, which can increase production costs. Therefore , when purchasing UV ink, it is recommended to opt for the appropriate ink that is suitable for your needs.

The advantages and characteristics of soft and hard inks are as follows: Soft ink has a wide range of applications and significant advantages such as high color saturation and excellent color reproduction. It displays exceptional water resistance, robustness against weathering , and the images produced can be preserved for long periods . In addition, the printed pattern will not crack when the material is severely twisted. Hard ink, on the other hand, adheres better to relatively hard materials. The result of the printed products is glossy, highly saturated , and presents intense, three-dimensional images.

 

The common application scope of soft ink includes mobile phone leather cases , leather, advertising tarpaulins, soft PVC, soft rubber cases, etc. Meanwhile, the typical application range of rigid ink is on hard materials like metal , glass, rigid plastic, ceramic tiles , plexiglass, acrylic, advertising signs, or it can be used as a composite microcrystalline process .

For more information, please contact us: Green Cartridge

• Share on:
• WhatsApp
• Deel
• X
• Pin it
• Messenger
• Email

---