This section provides an overview for uv printers as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 45 uv printer manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked uv printer companies as of November, 2024: 1.INKCUPS, 2.BesJet UV Flatbed Printer, 3.Mimaki USA, Inc..
Table of Contents
Engaged in research on nitride semiconductor growth using the MBE method at Waseda University Graduate School. After graduating from graduate school in 2016, he joined a non-ferrous metal manufacturer.
Engaged in equipment maintenance and engineering work at metal smelting plants. Moved to a chemical manufacturer in 2022. Engaging in similar tasks.
A UV printer is a printer that uses UV ink, which is cured by irradiating it with ultraviolet light.
A UV printer cures and fixes the ink, so there is no need for ink penetration. Therefore, it is possible to print on resin materials and sebum. A UV printer also has the advantage of quick-drying compared to inkjet printers.
However, a disadvantage of UV printers is that they are expensive and require special inks.
UV printers can print on a wide variety of materials from hard to flexible materials such as wood, general resins, and leather. Taking advantage of this feature, UV printers are used in the following applications:
UV printers apply the principle of curing UV-curable resin: irradiating UV ink with UV light initiates radical polymerization, which instantly cures the ink.
While inkjet printers fix the ink by drying it after it has penetrated the ink, UV printers can be used for all kinds of materials because there is no need for the ink to penetrate. However, UV printers generate a peculiar odor when curing UV ink, so the use of a deodorizing device is recommended.
Since 2000, UV printers have been researched and developed by various companies as the next-generation technology following inkjet printers. As a result, many UV printers have been introduced.
In the early stage of development, UV printers used metal-halide lamps to irradiate UV light, which had disadvantages such as high power consumption and short lifespan, etc. Around 2008, products using LED lamps as UV light sources appeared on the market, and their performance has dramatically improved.
The UV printers market is expected to continue to grow in the future due to the advantages of faster printing processes, diversified printing media, and environmental compatibility. In recent years, research and development of three-dimensional printing technology has also been active. Compact UV printers capable of printing on small three-dimensional media are also available.
Comparing UV printers with inkjet printers, the following issues need to be resolved to expand the market for UV printers.
Price
Compared to water-based and solvent-based inks, UV inks are expensive, and UV-LED inks are even more expensive. UV printers are also expensive, making the introduction of UV-LED printers a financial hurdle.
Glossiness
Compared to water-based and solvent-based inks, UV printers give a matte impression without gloss. However, gloss can be expressed by printing with transparent clear ink over the original printing. The degree of gloss can be changed by changing the curing timing of the clear ink.
UV printers have some conditions that make printing difficult.
Water-repellent materials
Since the ink is liquid before curing, highly water-repellent materials will repel ink when the ink is applied. Printing is difficult due to very low adhesion to the material.
Materials with high oil content or additives
The presence of oil on the material surface reduces ink adhesion. Especially with resins, plasticizers, and additives inhibit ink adhesion, so care must be taken. In most cases, de-greasing with alcohol will improve the situation.
Highly smooth materials
It is difficult to print on extremely smooth materials. The more minute irregularities there are, the more adhesion the ink will have. For this reason, unevenness may be intentionally created by sandpaper or other means.
In addition, UV printers may cause cracks in the printed area due to the nature of the ink curing process. This is especially likely to occur when printing on flexible materials, and the print may fall apart if the material is deformed.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Mimaki USA, a subsidiary of Mimaki Engineering Co. Ltd, founded in 1975 and opened its headquarters in Suwanee, Georgia in 1999, is a supplier and manufacturer of digital printing and cutting equipment, ink, and software. Their products include wide-format printers, cutting plotters, 3D printers, textile printers, and more. They serve a range of industries such as sign and graphics, textile and apparel, industrial printing, and 3D markets. Seven regional offices and technology centers are operated across the U.S. and Canada.
INKCUPS was founded in the year 2001 located in Danvers, Massachusetts and it is a manufacturer and supplier of inkjet printing equipments and printing supplies. The company manufactures products like cylindrical inkjet printers, UV flatbed printers, Pad printing machines, inkjet printing supplies, pad printing supplies and tagless supplies. The company products are applicable in apparel printing, decorators, print on demand, shot glass print, silicone, sporting goods. This company is ISO 9001 certified.
Beacon Graphics, a division of Rockleigh Industries Inc., established in 1987 and headquartered in Branchburg, New Jersey, is a distributor and supplier of sign making, inkjet supplies, and printing equipment. The company provides a wide array of digital media, vinyl films, substrates, and tools to meet indoor and outdoor graphic requirements. Its product range encompasses wide format printers, direct-to-garment printers, vinyl cutters, laminators, and vinyl films. These items are essential for producing banners, vehicle wraps, signage, and various graphic designs.
Ricoh USA, founded in 1963 and headquartered in Ota City, Tokyo, Japan, is a company engaged in producing and distributing printing equipment. Ricoh USA engages in marketing its products inside the geographical boundaries of the United States. The company produces technologically advanced digital copiers, peripherals, printed circuit boards, and thermal media. The organization functions by comprehending and altering how individuals engage in work, enabling the release of their untapped potential and creativity to achieve a sustainable future.
I.T. Supplies is a US-based supplier and service provider of printing solutions founded in 1998 and headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The company offers eco-solvent printers by EPSON, Latex, and Flatbed by HP, along with aqueous printers by EPSON, HP, and Canon. It also supplies ink, media, canvas, signs, banners, and more. The company also offers various services such as color management, print workflow, T-shirt printers, dye sublimation, and other printing technologies.
Perfect Laser Co., Ltd, established in 1995 and located in Wuhan City, China, is a manufacturer specializing in industrial laser equipment. The company holds a comprehensive product portfolio, featuring offerings like fiber laser cutting machines for precise metal sheet cutting, fiber laser marking machines for material marking, laser welding machines for diverse material welding, laser cleaning machines for efficient surface cleaning, and 3D crystal engravers for intricate 3D image engraving within crystals. The company holds esteemed certifications including CE, FDA, and ISO9001, reflecting its adherence to quality.
Sinotec Digital Co. Ltd. originally established as Huihua Import And Export Co. Ltd. in 2009, is a manufacturer of printing supplies based in Guangzhou, China. The company offers sublimation printers for transferring images or designs onto substrates and fabrics, and eco solvent printers for applying environmentally friendly solvents to various materials. It also offers ultraviolet (UV) roll-to-roll printers for flexible materials such as vinyl banners, and related spare parts including printheads and capping stations. The company’s products are used by clients in the advertising, multimedia design, and textile industries.
ColorJet, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Uttar Pradesh, India, is a manufacturer of digital inkjet printers and related printing solutions. The company specializes in textiles, signage, and various inks and caters to diverse industries, including textiles, retail, and architecture. It offers cutting-edge large-format printing solutions known for speed, flexibility, and quality. The company offers complete customer support, including onsite service, minimal downtime, and optimal printer performance. Its R&D department has been recognized by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
MeiTu Digital Industry Co. Ltd. is a manufacturer of digital printing equipment founded in 2007 and based in Shanghai, China. The company offers textile printers for use with fabrics in the apparel or fashion industries, ultraviolet (UV) printers for industrial materials such as glass or plastics, and direct-to-film (DTF) printing technology products for applying prints to existing garments. The company’s products are mainly used by clients in the advertising, fashion, and industrial manufacturing sectors.
Jiangsu Zhenguan metal products Co., Ltd. is a Chinese manufacturer based in Wuxi, Jiangsu, specializing in metal products. The company provides a wide array of products, including alloy, aluminum, copper, carbon, and stainless steels. Its product line further extends to incorporate pre-painted galvanized iron (PPGI) and pre-painted galvalume (PPGA) steels, along with steel profiles. These offerings primarily come in formats such as sheets, corrugated sheets, bars, pipes, and coils. Notably, such products find applications across industries, including automotive, aerospace, construction, marine, and machinery sectors.
GCC, founded in Glendale, Colorado, in 1941 is a manufacturer of cement, ready-mix concrete, and aggregates for the construction industry. The company's product portfolio includes building materials, rock walls, patio flagstones, decorative rocks, and specialty products. The company serves markets including Households, Offices, Consumer Goods, Industrial Manufacturing and Construction and Building. They have operations in 15 states of the U.S and the company also offers customer services that include support, custom research projects and customized services.
Mimaki Engineering Co., LTD, established in 1975, is a manufacturer and retailer of inkjet printers, 3D printers, modeling plotters, laminators, and vinyl cutters headquartered in Japan. These products are manufactured in various models, including roll-to-roll, print and cut, textile, DTF, and flatbed. They are used in various applications, including window graphics, fashion textiles, industrial print, signs, and displays. The company also supplies various printing inks such as latex, solvent, water-based pigment, textile pigment, and acid dye.
Villa L. & Figlio srl, established in 1932 and headquartered in Milan, Italy, is a manufacturer of industrial markers, stamping machines, and lasers for engraving. The company's products include inkjet and industrial marking systems, CO2 and fiber lasers for engraving and cutting, and perforating machines. It specializes in portable inkjets, coding, and document authentication solutions. It operates four product divisions, serving food, cosmetics, and office supplies. The company also supplies stamping equipment to factories, stationery shops, and printing houses.
Dongguan Yifang Digital Technology Co. Ltd. is a manufacturer of printers and related supplies established in 1992 and located in Dongguan, Guangdong, China. The company’s product lineup includes ultraviolet (UV) roll-to-roll printers for continuous printing on elongated materials, UV flatbed printers for materials such as leather or wood, and latex printers for printing on coated materials. It also offers sublimation and textile direct printers for printing designs onto fabrics. The company serves clients in the consumer electronics, home decoration, and digital printing industries.
Engineered Printing Solutions, founded in 1985 and located in East Dorset, Vermont, is a manufacturer of digital inkjet technology. The company offers a range of product lines that include flatbed inkjet printers, wide format flatbed printers, single-pass inkjet printers, and cylindrical inkjet printers. These printers are utilized for digital inkjet printing on substrates and objects such as wood, glass, plastics, textiles, and cylindrical containers. These products find applications in signage, promotional products, industrial printing, packaging, and large-format graphics for advertising. Engineered Printing Solutions' products offer printing solutions for different industries and materials.
Jinan HanTenCNC Laser Technology Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Jinan City, Shandong Province, and was established in 2004 as a manufacturer and supplier of laser machines. The products are divided into three categories: laser equipment, small CNC equipment, and UV printers. The diverse laser machine product portfolio includes laser cleaning machines, laser welding machines, laser marking machines, and laser cutting machines. The UV printers include 2513UV printers, A3+UV printers, 6090UV printers, and UV wall printers. These advanced laser machines serve a wide array of industries, including sheet metal fabrication, metallic shops, the elevator industry, construction, and pharmaceutical machinery manufacturing.
Epson America, Inc. is a manufacturer and distributor of digital imaging products established in 1975 as a US subsidiary of Japan’s Seiko Epson Corporation. The company produces various digital imaging products for home and business use, including cameras, printers, home theater systems, and scanners, as well as printing accessories like ink and software. It also manufactures wearable devices, point-of-sale systems, and robots for industrial or factory automation, such as 6-axis and SCARA models. Epson America is headquartered in Los Alamitos, California, with regional offices, authorized resellers and service centers across North America including in Chicago, Atlanta, and Toronto.
Canon Europe Ltd, founded in 1957 and based in Amstelveen, Netherlands, and London, UK, manufactures printers and digital cameras for homes and businesses. Its customers include videographers, photographers, professional printers, medical imaging experts, office workers, and more. The company handles marketing operations and regional sales of Cannon for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East and shares a quarter of Canon’s global revenues annually. Its products include cameras, scanners, camcorders, facsimiles, printers, personal copiers, document imaging, and office print and copy solutions.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | INKCUPS |
8.8%
|
2 | BesJet UV Flatbed Printer |
5.6%
|
3 | Mimaki USA, Inc. |
5.1%
|
4 | Jiangsu Zhenguan metal products Co., Ltd |
4.9%
|
5 | IEHK Enterprises LLC. |
4.0%
|
6 | Beacon Graphics |
3.9%
|
7 | GCC |
3.7%
|
8 | Ricoh USA, Inc. |
3.4%
|
9 | Linyi Win-Win Machinery Co., Ltd. |
3.0%
|
10 | YottaUSA |
2.9%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the uv printer page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
China | 17 | 48.6% |
United States of America | 14 | 40.0% |
Japan | 2 | 5.7% |
India | 1 | 2.9% |
Taiwan | 1 | 2.9% |