What is the difference between UV ink and LED ink?

Date: Sep 18 2024 From: Star Color

UV ink and LED ink both use UV cured printing ink, which has the advantages of environmental protection and fast drying. However, there are still differences in specific use. UV ink only uses traditional mercury lamp dried ink, while LED ink refers to ink that uses UV-LED light source. The difference between the two is that mercury lamps, especially high-pressure mercury lamps, emit short wave ultraviolet light (UVC, wavelength 100-280nm) and medium wave ultraviolet light (UVB, wavelength 280-315nm).

LED lights are more precise and controllable in terms of ultraviolet output. LED lights can be designed to emit only specific wavelengths of light, including ultraviolet radiation. In ultraviolet LED, the common wavelength range includes UVA (315-400nm)

UV ink:

Since its inception, UV ink has gained widespread recognition in the market for its excellent printing effect and fast drying performance. It uses high-pressure mercury lamps and other strong ultraviolet light sources for curing, which can achieve ink drying and curing in a very short time, greatly improving printing efficiency. UV ink has bright colors, is wear-resistant and scratch resistant, and is very suitable for fields that require high-quality printing effects such as packaging printing and advertising posters.

However, the traditional curing method of UV ink also brings certain limitations. The use of mercury lamps not only consumes high energy, but may also generate harmful exhaust gases and wastewater, causing certain pressure on the environment. In addition, the maintenance cost of mercury lamp equipment is relatively high, which increases the operating cost of the enterprise.

LED ink:

LED ink represents the latest trend in the printing industry. It uses ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LED) as the curing light source, which has lower energy consumption, smaller size, and longer service life. UV-LED light sources emit light with shorter wavelengths and more concentrated energy, which can complete ink curing in a shorter time, thereby further improving printing efficiency.

In terms of environmental friendliness, LED ink has demonstrated significant advantages. It does not require the use of solidification equipment such as mercury lamps that may cause pollution, and the entire solidification process produces almost no exhaust gas or wastewater, greatly reducing its impact on the environment. In addition, LED ink also has good adhesion and weather resistance, which can meet various complex printing needs.

Comparison between UV Ink and LED Ink:

1. Curing method
UV ink: usually requires the use of a high-pressure mercury lamp (or other strong ultraviolet radiation source) for curing. This solidification method requires high energy input, and the use of mercury lamps may bring certain environmental and health risks.
LED ink: UV light emitting diodes are used for curing. UV-LED light sources have lower energy consumption, smaller size, and longer lifespan, which makes UVLED ink more efficient and environmentally friendly during the curing process.

2. Curing speed
UV ink: Although its curing speed is relatively fast, it still takes some time to complete the curing process.
LED ink: It has a faster curing speed and can be cured in a very short time (such as within 1 second), making it more suitable for the needs of high-speed printing and rapid production.

3. Environmental friendliness
UV ink: Although UV ink has improved in terms of environmental friendliness compared to traditional solvent based inks, the curing equipment used, such as mercury lamps, may generate certain amounts of exhaust gas and wastewater.
LED ink: It has higher environmental friendliness because it does not require the use of curing equipment such as mercury lamps that may cause pollution, and the entire curing process generates less exhaust gas and wastewater. In addition, UVLED ink also helps reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions due to its low energy consumption and fast curing characteristics.

4. Cost
UV ink: It may have relatively low equipment and operating costs because traditional mercury lamps and other equipment are more popular in the market.
LED ink: Due to the need for more advanced UV-LED curing equipment, the initial investment may be higher. However, in long-term use, due to its higher efficiency and lower energy consumption, it can bring higher cost-effectiveness. In addition, with the popularization of technology and the intensification of market competition, the cost of UVLED ink is expected to gradually decrease.

5. Specific applications
UV ink: has been widely used in various printing fields, including packaging printing, advertising printing, etc. Its bright colors, good printability, and curing and drying rate make it the preferred choice for many printed products.

UVLED ink: Due to its fast curing speed and environmental friendliness, it is particularly suitable for application scenarios that require high production efficiency and environmental protection. For example, in high-precision printing of electronic products such as mobile phones and computers, the application of UVLED ink is becoming increasingly widespread. In addition, UVLED ink is also suitable for various packaging printing materials such as paper, cardboard, metal, glass, aluminum foil, plastic, etc., and has broad market prospects.

Starcolor UV INK

Zhongzhixing Color UV Ink can balance both UV and LED light sources, and also has excellent weather resistance and wear resistance. Even under prolonged sunlight exposure or harsh environmental conditions, ink can still maintain stable colors and clear printing effects, and is not easily faded or worn. This characteristic makes the ink particularly suitable for fields that require high durability, such as outdoor advertising and packaging printing.

Zhongzhixing Color UV Ink also pays attention to environmental protection and safety. It adopts a low VOC (volatile organic compound) formula, reducing the emission of harmful substances and minimizing the harm to the environment and operators. Ensure compliance with international environmental standards and safety regulations, allowing users to enjoy high-quality printing effects while also contributing to environmental protection and sustainable development.