UV printing: how it works and which materials it suits

UV printing is a colour printing technique applied directly onto the object, with no sticker and no transfer. It interests more and more businesses and individuals, because it lets you personalise a rigid object with a logo, a photo or text, even for a single piece.

Our Lille workshop is installing a UV printer in December 2026. The service is not open yet: this article explains the principle, the inks, the materials and the limits, so you know what you will be able to ask us for. Quote requests are already possible on the UV printing page.

The principle: ink that hardens under light

A UV printer works like an inkjet printer. A head lays down tiny droplets of ink on the surface. The difference is the ink: it does not dry by evaporation, it cures under ultraviolet light, right after the head passes.

Three practical consequences:

• the ink does not soak into the material, it bonds on the surface: it holds on non-absorbent materials such as acrylic or metal;
• there is no drying time: the object can be handled as soon as it leaves the machine;
• the image bonds with the surface, unlike a sticker that sits on top.

The inks: colour, white and varnish

Our machine uses three kinds of ink:

• Colours (cyan, magenta, yellow, black), which reproduce photos and gradients.
• White, printed as a base on dark or clear materials. Without it, colours would look dull on dark wood or clear acrylic.
• Varnish, gloss or matte, which protects the print and can highlight areas of a design.

Resolution reaches 720 × 1440 dpi: fine enough for a detailed logo or text a few millimetres high.

Raised texture: up to 7 mm

By stacking layers, especially varnish, the ink gains thickness. This gives raised lettering, tactile textures and material effects. Our machine builds up to 7 mm. It is a print relief, not a volumetric part: for a real shape, see our article on 3D printing and UV printing.

Flatbed UV printing: what it implies

The "flatbed" technique means the object sits on a bed while the head moves over it. This sets the frame for what we can do:

• Size: up to 330 × 420 mm (A3+).
• Surface: flat or gently curved. A camera locates the object on the bed and places the design within ±0.2 mm.
• Rigidity: the object must stay put on the bed.

Cylindrical objects (mugs, bottles) need a rotary accessory we have not planned for launch. We prefer to say so plainly rather than promise otherwise.

Possible materials

Depending on the material, the ink bonds on its own or after preparation.

• Wood: plywood, MDF, solid wood. Raw, porous wood is sanded or sealed first.
• Acrylic (Plexiglas): clear or coloured, printed on the front or the back with a white base.
• Metal: aluminium, plates, painted metal objects, with primer.
• Glass and ceramics: plates, tiles, frames, with primer.
• Rigid plastics: ABS, polycarbonate, PVC and our own 3D-printed parts.
• Paper and thick card: cards, invitations, small packaging.

A primer is a thin coat that helps the ink bond durably on smooth surfaces. We take care of it: you have nothing to prepare. On an object you bring us, we may ask for a test piece, especially for glass, metal or smooth plastics.

What we will not do

To stay consistent with the machine we are installing:

• no textiles or clothing;
• no leather;
• no fluorescent inks;
• no silicone or soft rubber;
• no food-contact or mouth-contact surfaces (inside of a mug, rim of a glass);
• no mugs, bottles or cylindrical objects for now.

UV stickers, to be transferred onto curved objects, are among the steps we are considering after opening. Nothing is announced at this stage.

How an order works

1. You send us the object, the design, the quantity and your deadline. A sketch or a photo is enough.
2. We prepare a quote and a preview of the design on the object.
3. Printing is scheduled from the moment the machine arrives.
4. Pick-up by appointment in Lille, or delivery.

For the file, a vector PDF or SVG gives the best result. Otherwise a high-resolution PNG at actual size works. For a concrete project example, see our article on the custom plate in UV printing.

And 3D printing in all this?

Our core business remains 3D printing. Our FDM printers make the part, in materials such as PLA or PETG, and UV adds fine colour. You can browse all our technologies to place each process.

Have a project in mind? Describe it through our quote page or on the UV printing page: we reply with a quote, with no commitment.

Frequently asked questions

What is UV printing?

It is inkjet printing where the ink is cured instantly by UV light. It goes straight onto the object, in colour, with a white base and varnish when needed, and can build up raised texture to 7 mm.

Can I already get UV printing at Unlimit3d?

Not yet. The UV printer arrives in December 2026. You can send us your project now to receive a quote: your order is scheduled when we open.

What is the maximum print size?

The print area is up to 330 × 420 mm (A3+). The object must be rigid with a flat or gently curved face. Send us its dimensions and we confirm feasibility with the quote.

Which materials can be UV printed?

Wood, acrylic, metal, glass, ceramics, rigid plastics, paper and thick card, as well as our own 3D-printed parts. Smooth surfaces first get a primer.

Does UV printing last?

Cured ink resists scratches and water in everyday use, and varnish adds protection. For an object left outdoors in direct sunlight for a long time, let's talk: colours can fade over the years.

Do you print on mugs or textiles?

No. Textiles are not supported, and mugs and bottles are not for now. Food-contact surfaces are also excluded.

How much does UV printing cost?

On quote. The price depends on the printed area, the layers (white, varnish, texture), the material and the quantity. You can request a quote on the UV printing page.