UV printers have rapidly become synonymous with high-quality print products in the advertising industry and with good reason – they’re quick-drying, offer exceptional detail, high-definition colour accuracy and are eco-friendly.
The Roland MG series in particular stands out as a range of printers capable of next level results and unmatched versatility. Here, we explore how UV printers work and the main reasons why they are perfect for creating high-quality advertising media.
How UV Printers Work
UV light was originally used in nail salons for curing (drying) polish on acrylic nails virtually instantly. It wasn’t long before the benefits of such instant drying technology began to appear in the advertising print world.
Digital UV printers work by using an LED-UV light to cure the ink on a substrate virtually instantly. Special UV ink contains monomers and polymers which bond together to form other polymers under UV light resulting in near-instant drying.
As the ink sits on the surface of the substrate rather than soaking through these printers are ideal for huge range of print products, from paper and plastic to acrylic, glass, curved surfaces and more.
Instant Drying Cuts Production Times
UV-LED lights dry the inks in UV printing almost instantly. This means the ink drops never have time to spread out and expand, resulting in a highly defined and accurate print. The instant drying feature also means there’s no need to plan in drying time during the print process which leads to shorter production times and a faster turnaround.
Hybrid Printing Features
The MG series incorporates hybrid printing technology, offering seamless transitions between flatbed and roll-to-roll media. This feature allows businesses to efficiently handle a wide array of materials, from rigid substrates like acrylic boards to flexible options such as banners and films. By consolidating multiple functionalities into one device, the MG series eliminates the need for additional equipment, optimising operational efficiency while reducing overall investment costs.
Speciality Inks For Creative Advertising
The Roland MG Series’ capabilities extend far beyond the usual CMYK inks, supporting white, gloss and primer inks. These inks unlock new creative dimensions:
- White ink is great for ensuring high opacity on dark and transparent surfaces
- Gloss ink produces textured and embossed effects for a premium finish
- Primer ink ensures strong adhesion on challenging materials and unconventional substrates
Suitable For A Huge Range of Media
If you can think of an object or a certain substrate, chances are you can print on it with a Roland UV printer. A major part of its attraction is the ability to print on a huge range of materials – promotional items like pens and notepads, glass, metal, plastic, keychains, Correx, window graphics, textile displays and more. The LED light doesn’t generate heat which reduces the risk of warping or needing to clamp the substrate down during the curing process.
UV-printed products are also weather and fade resistant making them highly suitable for applications where temperature or weather conditions are a factor, for example, outdoor signage and banners.
Sustainability
Sustainability is becoming a priority for many businesses and the Roland MG Series supports this. UV inks are more environmentally friendly than traditional solvent-based inks. No emission of harmful fumes or volatile organic compounds makes UV printers much more suitable for industrial applications and for the operators using them.
In addition, Roland UV printers reduce waste and energy consumption by eliminating the need for a lengthy drying period and the need for lamination.
Smart Integration
The MG series boasts variable data printing and layered printing to enhance customisation and workflow efficiency. The integration of Roland’s DG Connect cloud-based platform ensures real-time monitoring of printer performance. The system provides actionable insights, early issue detection and consistent output quality, something which is essential for advertising media.
The Roland MG printer series pushes the boundaries of advertising creativity and possibilities, resulting in high impact images across an array of applications. Find out more about the range printers available from Signmaster by getting in touch with a member of our expert team today!
