Introduction to UV LED Inks
Digital UV LED flexible/super flexible inks offer elongation features designed to withstand the intense wrapping process, while simultaneously maintaining durability and flexibility. UV curable inks used for vehicle wraps and fleet graphics provide excellent adhesion to self-adhesive vinyl materials and superior finishing properties, including bending, creasing, routing, heating, and stretching.
Advantages of UV LED Digital Inkjet Printing
Print shops or sign shops specializing in vehicle wrapping should understand the advantages that UV LED digital inkjet printing offers. Primarily, the time saved in printing to the material before wrapping is a major reason to consider adding a UV LED digital inkjet printer or outsourcing to a print shop/sign shop with the capability and expertise.
Key Features of UV Curable Inks for Vehicle Wraps
A UV curable ink used for vehicle wraps and fleet graphics should feature elasticity, adhesion, stretching, and durability. The vehicle wrapping process involves heating, pressure, and stretching, and finishing tools are often used. The ink must withstand these challenges and produce high-quality prints.
Benefits of UV LED Flexible/Super Flexible Ink
Once cured, the UV LED flexible/super flexible ink forms a free film, making it malleable during wrapping—without breaking or cracking. These free-film properties help the ink endure the wrapping process without losing color densities or cracking.
Elongation Properties and Color Retention
“The ability to create signs with heavy curves, bends, and bulges without cracking the ink is a significant advantage. Ordinary inks may crack or elongate under stretch, distorting graphics and affecting signage text—especially critical for vehicle wrapping and fleet graphics applications.”
The UV LED flexible/super flexible ink used for vehicle wraps should have 200% – 300% elongation properties. “This allows UV flexible inks to stretch without cracking during the wrapping process while maintaining strong and vibrant colors.
Color Gamut and Post-Processing Considerations
If the UV curable ink for vehicle wraps does not have a wide color gamut, its appearance may change during heating or stretching in the wrapping process.
Post-processing considerations include the ink’s ability to bond with the substrate (self-adhesive vinyl) and its performance regarding shearing, cutting, and bonding to top coatings.
Essential Properties for UV LED Inks
In addition to adhesion, surface resistance, and long-term flexibility, a good backing white and highly lightfast pigments are essential. “White is crucial for clear signs, and it should transmit a clean white when backlit. Highly lightfast pigments are important as fleet graphics are often exposed to outdoor conditions.”
Versatility of UV LED Curable Pigmented Inks
The UV LED-curable pigmented flexible/super flexible inks for vehicle wrapping and fleet graphics print on most plastics, vinyl, and any flexible media, offering good adhesion, scratch resistance, chemical resistance, flexibility, and elasticity. Elongation of up to 300 percent can be achieved.
Durability and Flexibility of UV LED Inks
Featuring 200% – 300% elongation, the UV LED flexible/super flexible ink for vehicle wraps and fleet graphics provides adhesion to a range of flexible materials and excellent finishing properties such as bending, creasing, routing, cutting, and stretching.
Compatibility with Wide-Format Printers
The durable and flexible UV LED ink is specially formulated for the vehicle wrap and fleet graphics market. When cured, it resists scratching and can stretch up to 300 percent when heated. This UV LED ink does not crack, making it ideal for printing on flexible media, including self-adhesive vinyl. Available in CMYK and white, this ink is compatible with wide-format UV LED roll-to-roll digital inkjet printers.
High Adhesion and Elongation Properties
The flexible/super flexible UV LED ink for vehicle wraps and fleet graphics offers high adhesion with elongation properties up to 300 percent, which can be increased up to 500 percent depending on the application. It provides excellent adhesion to vinyl and other flexible printing media.
Advancements in UV Inks and Printing Technology
UV LED flexible/super flexible ink sets designed for printing on flexible materials that undergo the wrapping process are both flexible and durable.
Original UV inks required high-powered arc lamps for UV light and intense heat, which could distort heat-sensitive substrates. These inks were thick and created a “texture,” often being too brittle for vehicle wrapping but suitable for rigid-board printing.
Transition to Low-Heat LED-Based UV Cure-Lamps
Recently, manufacturers have transitioned to low-heat LED-based UV cure-lamps and new LED-sensitive ink sets to reduce temperatures, enhance image quality, and improve ink stretchability.
These advancements have allowed UV-cure printers and inks to make significant strides in the commercial wraps market. New LED UV-cure units and ink developments have mitigated the difficulties of wrapping compound curves and other challenges.
Benefits of UV Curable Inks for Fleet Graphics
UV curable inks cure using ultraviolet light. The ink is applied to the print head one pass at a time, with each layer curing instantly as it passes under the light. This allows for printing in sections several yards long and faster than many other inks and printers, making it ideal for fleet graphics, especially large vehicles like 53-foot trailers.
The Evolution of UV Inks for Flexible Applications
While UV inks were previously unsuitable for flexible applications, new, more flexible UV LED inks have recently come to market. These inks are formulated for optimum performance in contoured applications, unlike earlier UV inks that were limited to flat surfaces.
The wide-format UV LED roll-to-roll digital inkjet printers and flexible/super flexible UV LED inks bring significant stretch to the UV LED market. With 200% – 300% elongation and a large color gamut, these inks compete with the latest technologies in vehicle graphics printing.
Quick Dry Times and Fast Job Turnover
Dry times for the newest UV LED flexible/super flexible ink sets are virtually nonexistent. “Wide format UV LED roll-to-roll digital inkjet printers and ink types like flexible/super flexible UV LED inks continue to evolve, allowing vehicle and other graphics to be printed and laminated immediately. Fast job turnover is crucial as lead times shrink.”
The Importance of Abbreviated Curing Time
An abbreviated curing time is essential for vehicle wraps. For instance, flexible/super flexible UV LED inks provide fully cured ink, allowing for immediate lamination. “With these features, installers can confidently apply their newly printed graphics.”
The Impact of Vehicle Wrapping on Advertising
Despite the digital age, out-of-home advertising, including fleet graphics, remains an effective marketing tool. Fleet branding connects with on-the-go consumers in a memorable way, enhancing brand awareness. Studies show that vehicle marketing results in a 97 percent message recall compared to a 19 percent retention for stationary signs.
The Value of Customized Vehicle Wraps
Savvy brand owners leverage the power of effective marketing pieces, including plane, train, and automobile wraps. Wraps are a cost-effective way to draw attention, curiosity, and value to a brand, with the ability to engage many people and refresh brand messaging frequently.
Return on Investment from Vehicle Wraps
The return on investment from a well-executed wrap underscores the value of flexible/super flexible UV LED inks and vinyl. Vehicle wraps are becoming a near-essential branding tool for businesses, advancing the industry significantly.
The Future of Printed Wraps and Creativity
Printed wraps remain popular as designers push creative boundaries. Graphic designers are exploring mixed media and innovative ways to print on previously uncharted media, leading to exciting developments in creativity and application.
Increased Demand for Personalization
Though vehicle wraps are not new, their demand continues to rise as consumers seek customization. From cell phone covers to clothing, people want unique products, and the vehicle wrap market is responding to this increased demand.
Advancements in UV Inks and Vehicle Wrapping
Conclusion
UV-cured inks have traditionally been considered unsuitable for car wrapping due to their brittle nature. However, recent developments in flexible LED-UV curable inks offer an exciting alternative to eco-solvents and latex/resin inks.
To Wrap it Up
The ongoing popularity of car wrapping, fueled by advancements in digital inkjet printing, promises further exciting developments and opportunities. As capabilities continue to grow, innovative creatives are exploring beyond vehicle wraps, including applications on boats. Printers Media Plus, LLC is committed to supporting these advancements every step of the way.
