UV DTF – Level up your object printing game!

What is UV DTF?

UV DTF is the latest object printing technology, which combines the flexibility and versatility of DTF printing with the high quality and durability of UV printing. You can produce a wide range of unique advertising items with it. The production process is extremely simple: the LED lamp of the printer fixes the printed pattern on the DTF foil, which can be immediately applied to hard material of almost any color and shape, no additional materials or machines are needed. The result is a high-quality, brightly colored, durable, waterproof surface.

Would you like to decorate objects? What are your options?

Today, there are many different techniques for the production of unique promotional items and souvenirs, from different transfer printing technologies to DTS/DTO printers that print directly on the surface of the product. Here's some help navigate between them.

 Sublimation

Advantages:

• It does not require special training
• Low start-up costs
• Low production cost
• Machines that require little space: production can be started in a small workshop or even at home
• Brightly colored, durable prints
• No cutting required, only the printed pattern is transferred.

Disadvantages:

• Only compatible with objects with special pre-treatment varnish
• It can only be used for white or light-colored objects, since the sublimation dye is not a cover dye, but is fixed on the surface of the object, and it is not possible to print a white base layer. For colored objects, the color of the object affects the color of the print.
• Additional tools and accessories are required for its use: sublimation transfer paper; proper heat presses that are right for the shape of the object to be printed (e.g. flat-, mug-, cap-, plate-, 3D heat press, etc.); plus proper size of silicon wraps or heat pads for mug presses and 3D vacuum heat presses.
• It cannot be used for objects with a unique shape.
• Due to the high-temperature heat treatment, it cannot be used for heat-sensitive materials.

 Iron-on transfer papers

Advantages: 

• It is essentially a process similar to sublimation printing, with the difference that the objects do not require pretreatment.
• They can be printed with a laser printer, so the color of the object should not be a limitation with a white toner printer.
• There are so-called also "waterslide" types, the application of which does not require heat treatment.

Disadvantages:

• The print is not integrated into the surface of the object, so it is less durable.
• Different types of objects require different transfer paper.
• Small format only: max. A3 prints

 UV object printers (DTS – Direct To Shape printers)*

Advantages: 

• High-quality, durable prints thanks to LED fixation
• Convex surfaces - even Braille writing - are possible and special surface effects with lacquer paint
• Simple and fast production: printing directly to the surface of the object.
• No other equipment is needed (e.g. cutting plotter, separate heat treatment unit)
• Objects of any color can be printed by underprinting with white ink
• Printing of uniquely shaped objects with a built-in height sensor, printing of cylindrical objects with a suitable rotation unit

Disadvantages: 

• Compared to the previous two technologies, the initial cost is significantly higher
• Larger space requirement, recommended for industrial use
• Limits on printable object height, width, and length (varies by machine)
• A special form is required to fix objects
• Pretreatment is required for some items

*Not to be confused with DTO (Direct To Object) UV flatbed printers, which can only print on flat surfaces such as boards, pictures and other advertising and decoration items.

 Printable/cuttable cut vinyls

Advantages: 

• Since the print is applied to the surface of the object as a sticker afterwards, there are no color or size restrictions regarding the object, and it can be applied to a relatively wide variety of shapes and materials.
• No pre-treatment or post-heat treatment is required.

Disadvantages: 

• The printed pattern requires subsequent contour cutting, which requires a cutting plotter.
• As a result, only graphics in vector format – or contoured in a vector format – are suitable.
• Weeding before application requires additional time.
• Less permanent print
• The sticker makes a convex and less durable surface.
• Durability can be increased with lamination, but it means additional work to be done after printing and a separate laminating machine is required.

UV DTF – Choose the most modern object printing technique!

UV DTF is the latest technology that will undoubtedly revolutionize object printing. We have collected its most significant advantages over previously known techniques.

• No need for additional equipment (eg. cutting plotter, heat treatment unit)
• Almost any kind of hard material is suitable, without the need of pretreatment
• Thanks to white underprint the color of the object doesn't influence the color of the print
• Almost any uniquely shaped object is suitable. 
• No size limits in height, width or length of the object, since the printer prints on a foil, that gets applied later. 
• Easy positioning of the print on the surface of the object, without the need of additional tools specially made for each unique object shapes.
• No need to vectorize or draw a vector contour: only the printed design will be transformed.
• High quality prints: vibrant colors, sharp prints
• Unique, special surface effects with varnish
• Durable, scratch-resistant and waterproof, only slightly convex printed surfaces
• Faster production compared to traditional printing techniques
• Printing + laminating with one machine: the UV DTF printers we sell do not require human intervention after starting printing, thanks to their many intelligent functions, and they also have a built-in laminator, so printing and lamination are done with one machine, within one work process.

How does it work?

The UV DTF production process is extremely simple, and thanks to the built-in intelligent functions of the DTF Station UV DTF printers we sell, printing and lamination are fully automatic, so that you can even leave the machine alone for the whole day. The printed sticker can then be easily applied to the desired surface without the use of other machines or tools.

1. Set the size and upload the design you want to print in the professional program provided with the printer!
2. The printer will print automatically after starting. UV DTF printers work with two types of film: the print is placed on "Foil A": first the white - primer - layer, then the colors, and finally the lacquer paint if needed. Thanks to the UV lamp treatment, the printing is fast and the prints are sharp with instant ink drying.
3. After that, the machine applies foil B, which is also a laminating layer, to the surface of the print.
   After you have cut the foil, pull foil A from foil B!
4. Stick foil B with the print to the surface of the object! (Optional but practical tool: squeegee)
5. Remove foil B!

After these few simple steps, the high-quality and durable product with a unique pattern is ready!

Where can you use it?

Due to the advantages described earlier, you can use UV DTF technology in many areas and for many types of unique product decoration. Just a few examples as a taste:

• Boards, signage: indoor and short-term outdoor signs on different materials, e.g. Decoration of PVC, acrylic, metal, cardboard, etc., glass windows/doors
• Advertising items, merchandise: eg. pens, keychains, pendrives, phone cases, notebooks with logos and corporate design
• Packaging design: cardboard- and other boxes, unique labels, bar codes
• Home decor and unique gifts: glass, ceramic glasses, cutlery, decorative objects, wood and plywood signs and pictures, a wide range of aluminum and metal products, unique patterned tiles and floor coverings
• Fashion: leather and other thick material products, e.g. bags, purses, shoes, belts
• Sportswear: helmet, snowboard, bicycle, etc.
• Car, motorcycle, bicycle decoration: small stickers for vehicle decoration
• 3D object: prototypes and other uniquely shaped items

Don't be afraid to jump in!

Have we piqued your interest? Gain an advantage over your competitors and be among the first to take advantage of UV DTF printing!

If you would like to try the latest advertising graphic technology, Signdepot will be your reliable partner! As a dedicated believer in searching for the most reliable brands, we found DTF Station, which brand specializes in the development of problem-free DTF systems. In addition to their stable, industrial-quality, professional UV DTF printers, they provide extremely comprehensive support, which is combined with our company's many years of DTF experience, both in the form of professional advice and training before and after the purchase, as well as professional installation of the system and full service.

Check out our range, where you will surely find the ideal construction for you among our complete, coordinated systems, from smaller, entry-level machines to the most professional solutions!

► See our UV DTF printers

► Learn more about the reliable DTF Station brand!

Need more help?

Don't hesitate to contact our expert colleague for help at sales@signdepot.eu. Or ask for an appointment to see and try yourself UV printing in our showroom in Hungary!