UV on Plastic

UV Printing on Plastic

Plastic is the widest UV category — the only variable is surface energy, which a primer fixes.

Substrates: ABS, PC, PET, PVC, acetate

Settings that work

Temperature	No heat
Press time	2–6 minutes
Pressure	N/A
Peel	N/A
Wash care	Dry wipe

Settings are a starting point, not gospel. Film batches, ink lots and press calibration all shift the ideal number — always pull-test a sample before a paid run.

What goes wrong, and how to fix it

Problem	Fix
Ink beads up	Low surface energy plastics (PP, PE) need flame or plasma treatment.
Print scratches off ABS	Use a primer designed for ABS.

Good fit

Electronics enclosures
Toy parts
Packaging prototypes

Where it fails

PP and PE without surface treatment

What to buy for plastic

Weekly volume	Machine class	Why
Small items (cases, pens, keychains)	A5 / A4 flatbed	One object at a time. Enough for gift orders, too slow for batch retail.
Up to 30 × 45 cm (plaques, tumblers with jig)	A3 flatbed	The default size for gift and promo work. Add a rotary jig for cylinders.
Signs, panels, batch cases	4060 / 6090 flatbed	Bed size decides throughput. A 6090 prints a full panel in one pass.

Volume bands assume one operator and a standard 38 × 38 cm press. Verify with a sample before committing to a machine size.