How To Do 3D Relief UV Printing?

The meaning of the 3D Relief UV Printing effect

The 3D relief effect includes 3D effect and relief effect. Among them, 3D effect is a visual effect; relief effect is a tactile effect. The 3D effect is mainly a visual sensory experience. It usually uses image processing software to process the pattern in three dimensions, so that the image appears three-dimensional visually. At the same time, the relief effect is a real tactile bulge, which is achieved by UV printing technology to achieve multiple stacking of white ink to form a high and low undulating structure on the surface of the material. Then, the color pattern is superimposed and printed to form a three-dimensional pattern that is both visible and touchable.

Imaging principle of 3D relief UV printing

The core of the three-dimensional/relief effect is to form a certain thickness of UV ink in the designated area of ​​the pattern through repeated printing or continuous ink stacking. Using the grayscale control (variable ink droplets) + multi-channel stacking function of the nozzle. The UV ink is cured once per layer, and finally the pattern convex structure is realized. Common materials are transparent acrylic, metal plates, leather, PVC, PET film and other hard or semi-hard substrates. Different printing channels can be controlled in different areas to achieve composite effects such as local high, local flat, and local bright.

3D relief UV printing order

Taking the standard relief structure as an example, the printing order is usually: white ink primer (enhanced hiding power) color ink pattern printing multi-layer varnish stacking (realizing 3D stereoscopic effect) top transparent protection or matte covering (optional) can also be used alone. Varnish stacking can achieve transparent relief patterns (such as colorless LOGO convex, anti-counterfeiting relief, brand texture, etc.).

Precautions during printing:

All printed layers need to be cured by a UV Roll-to-Roll printing machine immediately to prevent flow and pattern ghosting. The varnish layer cannot be too thick at one time. And it is recommended to print in layers + cure multiple times. High temperature or high humidity environment can easily affect the curing effect. And it is recommended to control the temperature of the printing room to be stable; unstable alignment accuracy will cause relief offset, ghosting, and uneven ink accumulation at the edge.