UV offset printing
Selecting a UV ink
When selecting a UV offset ink, consult with individual ink manufacturers after studying what ink properties are required for your paper application.
For outdoor applications especially, give careful consideration of the need for a water-resistant ink.
Compatibility by Grade
Refer to the table below for information about major ink grades that can be used for oil-based/UV offset printing.
| Oil-based | UV | |
|---|---|---|
| FEB(G) | ○ | △ |
| FRB(G)*2 FRR(G) |
○/× | ×/× |
| FGS | ○ | ○ |
| FPG | ○ | × |
| TPRA | ○ | ○ |
| BLR | ○ | ○ |
| KPK | × | × |
| SGS*1 | ○ | ○ |
| GAR*2 | ○/○ | ○/○ |
| VAFW | ○ | △ |
| WMF*2 | ○/○ | △/× |
| WSF*2 | ○/○ | ×/× |
| WCFA | ○ | ○ |
| WFP | ○ | × |
| QJJ | ○ | ○ |
| RMM | ○ | ○ |
| IM-L*3 | (△)/× | ○/× |
- ○
- Compatible
- △
- Can be used under certain printing conditions and for certain applications
- ×
- Incompatible
- *1 Indicates compatibility with the printing surface (matte) of adhesive paper.
- *2 Indicates compatibility with the (front/back).
- *3 "IM-L" refers to ITE105, IDF80, 100 and IHC75.
Inquire about grades not specified in the table above.
Important Notes about UV Printing
- The combined use of mercury and metal halide lamps as UV lamps is recommended.
- UV ink can easily undergo excessive emulsification. Please restrict the amount of water used in press dampening even more than you would with oil-based offset printing.
- Standard UV lamps will cause stretching in YUPO due to the generation of heat. Use a low-heat lamp (water-cooled or infrared-reduction type) and ensure that the temperature between stacked YUPO sheets does not exceed 50℃.
- Although ink adhesion strength may in some cases appear insufficient immediately following printing, it will improve with the passage of time.
- Interdeck irradiation with anything other than a low-temperature lamp is not recommended. Use of a standard UV lamp may cause miss registration due to heat or ink blanket removal due to poor ink adhesion.
- When printing, complete the job by putting the paper through a multi-color printing press once only. This will help prevent mis registration or measurement errors caused by excessive heat.
- If repeated printing or two-sided printing cannot be avoided, aerate for cooling as soon as possible following the initial printing, perform a blind printing, and perform additional printings only after the paper has returned to as close to its original temperature as possible.
- The area around the UV lamp is prone to becoming dry and generating static electricity. To avoid problems:
- (1) Maintain humidity at over 50% in the delivery area.
- (2) Use of an air ionizer or other static remover can be effective.