UV Printing — Horse of a Different Color

o PREPRESS. Good communication between the prepress department and the pressroom is essential. Not only must screening curves be adjusted to account for the additional dot gain that occurs with UV inks, but jobs also must be proofed on the actual substrates on which they will be printed.

o ON-PRESS. UV presses typically operate within much tighter tolerances with respect to ink-water balance and exposure to UV radiation. Press blankets can become embossed, shortening their useful lives. Roller settings must be precise. Heat that is a byproduct of exposing substrates to ultraviolet energy is a continual source of concern. Too-high temperatures will produce distortion in paper and plastic that can cause a job to go off-register.