What is the difference between UV ink and UV coating?

Date: Sep 01 2024 From: Star Color

Although UV inks and UV coatings both rely on UV light for curing, they are significantly different in multiple dimensions.

1. Application fields

UV ink : mainly used in the printing industry, especially in situations where high printing quality and efficiency are required. UV ink is quickly cured by ultraviolet light and is widely used in the printing of various materials such as plastic film, paper, aluminum foil, etc. In the field of packaging printing, UV ink is often used in the packaging of medium and high-end cigarettes, wine, cosmetics, health products, food, medicine and other products.
UV coatings : widely used in industrial fields, such as surface coating treatment of furniture, flooring, automobiles, electronic products, etc. UV coatings have gradually replaced traditional solvent-based coatings with their pollution-free, fast curing, excellent chemical and physical properties.

2. Performance characteristics

UV ink :
- Fast curing speed : Under ultraviolet light, UV ink can cure quickly, improving production efficiency.
- Good printing effect : UV ink has bright colors and good printability, which can ensure the color saturation and clarity of printed products.
- Wear resistance, corrosion resistance and weather resistance : The cured UV ink film has excellent wear resistance, corrosion resistance and weather resistance, and can protect the printed matter from erosion by the external environment.
- Environmental protection : UV ink has low VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions and is environmentally friendly.
UV coating :
- Fast curing : Similar to UV inks, UV coatings can also cure instantly under ultraviolet light, shortening the coating cycle.
- Excellent physical properties : The coating formed after UV coating is cured has excellent physical properties such as wear resistance, scratch resistance, hardness, and flexibility.
- Environmental protection : UV coatings also have the characteristics of low VOC emissions and meet environmental protection requirements.
- Decorativeness : UV coatings can give the substrate rich colors and gloss, improving the aesthetics of the product.

Paper bags printed with UV ink

3. Composition

UV ink : mainly composed of prepolymer (or oligomer), active diluent, photoinitiator, pigment and additives, etc. These ingredients undergo polymerization reaction under ultraviolet light to form a cured film layer with excellent performance.
UV coating : Its composition is similar to that of UV ink, and also contains basic components such as prepolymer (or oligomer), active diluent, photoinitiator and additives. However, the formula of UV coating may be more complicated to meet the special requirements of coating performance in different industrial fields.

4. Usage process

UV ink : During the printing process, UV ink is evenly coated on the surface of the substrate through the printing equipment, and then cured by ultraviolet curing equipment. The cured UV ink forms a solid ink layer, which protects the printed product and gives it an excellent appearance.
UV coating : The application process of UV coating is relatively complicated. First, the substrate needs to be pre-treated (such as degreasing, dust removal, etc.), and then the UV coating is evenly applied on the surface of the substrate. The coating method can be spraying, roller coating or curtain coating. The coated substrate needs to enter the ultraviolet curing equipment for curing treatment to form a coating with excellent performance.

In summary, there are obvious differences between UV ink and UV coating in terms of application areas, performance characteristics, composition and use process. These differences make them play an important role in different industrial fields.

The following is a table comparing UV ink and UV coating:

Features/Projects	UV ink	UV coating
Application Areas	Mainly used in the printing industry, especially in the printing of plastic film, paper, metal foil and other materials. Often used in the packaging printing of medium and high-end products.	It is widely used in surface coating treatment in many industrial fields such as furniture, flooring, automobiles, and electronic products.
Curing method	Rapid curing by UV exposure.	Rapid curing by UV exposure.
Curing speed	Soon, improve production efficiency.	Very quickly, shortening the painting cycle.
Printing/painting effects	Bright colors, good printability, high definition.	Rich colors and glossiness enhance the beauty of the product.
Physical properties	Wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and weather-resistant, with good adhesion and hardness.	Excellent wear resistance, scratch resistance, hardness, flexibility and adhesion.
Environmental protection	Low VOC emission, environmentally friendly.	It also has the characteristics of low VOC emissions and meets environmental protection requirements.
Composition	Prepolymers, reactive diluents, photoinitiators, pigments and additives, etc.	Similar to UV inks, but formulations may be more complex to meet specific performance requirements.
Use process	It is evenly coated on the surface of the substrate through printing equipment, and then cured by ultraviolet curing equipment.	It includes steps such as substrate pretreatment, coating (spraying, roller coating, curtain coating, etc.), and UV curing.
Coating thickness	Adjusted according to printing requirements, generally thinner.	It can be adjusted according to coating requirements and may be thicker than UV ink.
Application flexibility	Suitable for a variety of printing methods and substrates.	Suitable for a variety of substrates and coating methods
Economical	Cost is affected by factors such as print volume, ink formulation and process.	Cost is also affected by factors such as coating area, coating formula and process.