Choosing the right quality of print stickers can have a real impact on your business but it will also depend on what type of printers you have too. Solvent printing has long been one of the most used ways to print, not just stickers but everything from banners, signage, vinyl graphics and more. More recently, however, UV printing has been gaining traction as a more environmentally friendly way to print products.
Both can give you excellent results when it comes to printing vinyl stickers. Let’s take a look at how they differ, and which one is right for your business.
What Is Solvent Printing?
Solvent sticker printing in the UK has been around for decades and is the go-to choice for many print businesses. It produces long-lasting, high-quality stickers in bright, sharp colours for a professional finish. Solvent printing works with solvent inks – solvent is mixed with an ink pigment to create a liquid ink which is then applied to the media. The ink needs time to cure or dry before it is ready for the next stage. This “gassing off” takes time but is important to make sure the ink is fully dry before lamination and finishing. Whilst it takes longer than UV printing, it's durable and hardwearing results make it a perennial favourite for printers.
What Is UV Printing?
UV printing is a more recent addition to the print world. Instead of relying on chemical absorption it uses UV LED light to cure the inks instantly as they’re applied. The ink sits on top of the media surface rather than soaking in, creating a slightly raised effect. Because the ink dries instantly there’s no gassing off time required which makes UV sticker printing much faster than solvent. It also opens up possibilities for printing on a much broader range of materials, including non-porous and textured surfaces.
Key Differences Between UV And Solvent Sticker Printing
Print Durability
For solvent printing the ink bonds chemically with the vinyl to create stickers that are extremely durable and flexible. This makes solvent-printed stickers ideal for outdoor use, vehicle applications and situations where the stickers might be exposed to wear and tear. While UV stickers are also highly durable, because the ink sits on the surface they are slightly less flexible than solvent stickers. However, they’re ideal for indoor or short-term use, especially when fine details and sharp colours are a priority.
Drying Time
Solvent printing requires drying time (usually 24-48 hours) to allow inks to fully bond with the material. UV sticker printing dries instantly under UV light which means they’re ready to use as soon as they’re printed.
Environmental Impact
Solvent inks release gases, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) UV inks don’t release any VOCs and use less energy overall.
When To Choose Solvent Or UV Printing
The nature of your print business will dictate whether you favour solvent or UV printing. If your business focuses on outdoor stickers and decals which need to withstand tough weather conditions or large-scale projects like vehicle wraps or signage, then solvent printing is more likely to be your go-to.
On the other hand, if you specialise in highly detailed stickers for indoor or short-term use and promote yourself as a quick-turnaround printer where speed is essential, then UV printing may be more beneficial.
Ultimately, which one you choose will depend on where your business focus and growth markets lie. Of course, there’s nothing to stop you running both if you have the capacity and the budget but if you must choose between one or the other then it’s important to make a choice based on your most practical business needs.
Find out more about Signmaster’s UV and solvent printers as well as the different ink solutions simply by clicking here to contact us.
