huv led printing

Happy International Print Day 2024! 

Today, we are celebrating #PrintLife and we want to shine a light on two cutting-edge technologies that have changed the printing game over the past few years: HUV and LED-UV printing  

Curious to learn more about these advanced methods? Keep reading!  

What Makes HUV & LED-UV Printing special? 

HUV and LED-UV printing are the latest generations of litho printing. Each uses a slightly different light source and chemistry, but essentially, they use ultraviolet light to dry ink instantly, meaning no more waiting around for things to dry before moving forward. That’s a huge win in terms of speed, but there’s more to it than just faster drying times.  

Let’s get into why you might want to consider these advanced techniques for your next big print project.  

Benefits of HUV & LED-UV Printing: 

  • Colours that Pop: The instant drying process locks in the colour before the inks have chance to soak into the paper, giving you cleaner, brighter, and sharper results. This is especially beneficial on absorbent, uncoated papers – your images will stay crisp with vibrant colours. 
  • No dry back: the colour on your ‘just printed’ sheet is what you’ll get on your final product. The colours stay the same from the moment they’re printed – no fading or dulling during the process.
  • Perfect for heavy ink jobs: If your project involves heavy ink coverage with deep, dark colours, printing HUV or LED UV will make it easier to control the outcome, eliminating set-off without the need for set off spray, giving a much cleaner and smoother finish.  Nor is there any need for a machine varnish which is often used in traditional litho to seal the ink and amplify the colour. 
  • Faster turnaround times: No more waiting for ink to dry means quicker, more efficient project completion. Whether you’re printing books, cards, or marketing material, you’ll get faster results without sacrificing quality.   
  • Eco-Friendly: HUV & LED-UV technologies are also a greener choice!  They are energy-efficient and don’t produce harmful emissions, so you can feel good about your eco-conscious choices.  
  • Versatile materials: Got a special paper in mind? HUV and LED-UV printing works on a variety of materials, including plastics and plasticised papers such as Tyvek. 

A few challenges to consider: 

Whilst there are many pros to HUV and LED-UV printing, there are a few cons to weigh up:  

  • Cost: UV inks are generally more expensive than standard inks, which might make the overall project cost slightly higher.
  • The technology requires a bigger investment on the printer’s end so not all printers are making the investment, but those who do find long term benefits to their workflow and have less print related QC issues.
  • Ink Safety:  UV inks contain substances called photo-initiators to enable the curing process. Certain photo-initiators are restricted under US and European legislation, so it is important to check on ink compliance.   

  

Why HUV & LED-UV Printing is perfect for your next project 

Whether you’re printing a high-end book, marketing materials, or a board game, these printing techniques offer unparalleled sharpness and vibrancy. Plus, with faster drying times and eco-friendly advantages, you’ll be getting the best of both worlds: quality and sustainability.  

If you’ve got a print project in mind that could benefit from these advanced technologies, why not chat with us?  We have several key print partners in Asia and Europe who offer HUV and LED UV printing. 

At Imago Group, we’ve got the expertise to make your vision a reality. Contact us today to learn more about how we can bring your ideas to life.