If It Fits on the Bed, We Can Probably Print On It

Can you UV print on wood? Glass? Metal? Leather? The answer is almost always yes.

A customer walked into Little 6 with a wooden plaque. They asked if we could print their company logo on it.

Then they asked about acrylic awards.

Then metal signs.

Then glass coasters.

The answer to all of them? Yes.

That’s the power of UV flatbed printing.

Unlike DTF printing (which is designed for fabric), UV printing works on rigid materials. If it fits on our print bed and has a relatively flat surface, we can probably print on it.

This guide explains what UV flatbed printing can do. We’ll cover what materials work (and which don’t). Plus, why professional UV printing delivers results that DIY equipment can’t match.

If you have a material and aren’t sure if we can print on it—bring it to Little 6. We’ll test it and show you what’s possible.

How UV Printing Works (The Quick Science)

First, let’s look at how traditional printing works. Then we’ll compare it to UV printing.

Traditional Printing Process

Traditional inkjet or offset printing works like this:

• Ink goes onto the substrate
• Then it needs time to dry (air dry or heat dry)
• It only works on materials that absorb or bond with ink
• The print is vulnerable to smudging before it fully dries

UV Printing Process

In contrast, UV flatbed printing works completely differently:

Why This Matters

Here’s why instant curing is a game-changer:

Instant Curing:

The UV-LED light triggers a chemical reaction. This hardens the ink in seconds. There’s no waiting for drying time.

As a result, we can print on materials that would normally absorb regular ink. For example, uncoated wood works great. The ink doesn’t bleed or smudge because it cures instantly.

Works on Non-Porous Surfaces:

UV ink cures on contact with UV light. It doesn’t need to be absorbed like traditional ink. Therefore, it bonds to surfaces that regular ink can’t stick to.

This means we can print on glass, metal, plastic, and sealed wood.

Direct-to-Object Printing:

There’s no transfer process involved. Instead, we print exactly where you want the image—directly on your product.

Low Heat (UV-LED Technology):

Older UV printers used metal halide lamps. Those generated significant heat. However, modern UV-LED systems (like our Mimaki) produce minimal heat.

Consequently, we can print on heat-sensitive materials. Thin plastics won’t warp.

The Result for Little 6 Customers:

• Same-day turnaround on custom items
• Print one piece or hundreds (no setup like screen printing)
• High-quality results on materials that can’t be traditionally printed

Little 6’s Equipment: The Mimaki UJF-6042MkII e

At Little 6 Industries, we use the Mimaki UJF-6042MkII e—a professional-grade UV-LED flatbed printer designed for consistent, high-quality direct-to-object printing.

Key Specifications

Advanced Features (In Plain English)

The Mimaki UJF-6042MkII e isn’t just a printer—it’s packed with technology that ensures consistent, professional results:

MFD2 (Mimaki Fine Diffusion 2)

What it does: Controls precise ink dot positioning to reduce graininess

What this means: Smoother prints, photos look like actual photos (not pixelated), better color blending

MAPS4 (Mimaki Advanced Pass System 4)

What it does: Eliminates visible print lines (banding) by blurring swath boundaries

What this means: Solid colors look perfect with no streaks or lines visible to the eye

NCU & NRS (Automatic Nozzle Maintenance)

What it does: Automatically detects clogged nozzles and fixes them or substitutes working nozzles

What this means: Less downtime, consistent quality, fewer failed prints from clogged nozzles

Mimaki Clear Control (MCC)

What it does: Special clear ink application for gloss, matte, or raised effects

What this means: Can add texture, dimension, create ADA-compliant Braille signage

Multiple Ink Types

The Mimaki supports various ink configurations:

• Standard CMYK: Full color printing
• Light Cyan/Light Magenta: Smoother gradations, better skin tones in photos
• White Ink: Underbase for dark or transparent materials
• Clear Ink: Gloss, matte, or embossed effects
• Primer: Improves adhesion on challenging substrates
• Flexible Inks (LUS-120, LUS-150): For materials that bend (leather, bags)

Why Professional Equipment Matters

Entry-level UV printers cost $3,000-$10,000. Professional Mimaki equipment costs $40,000+. Here’s what that investment buys:

When you work with Little 6, you get the results of professional equipment without the $40,000 investment or the learning curve.

What You Can Print On: Rigid Materials

UV printing excels on rigid, non-flexible materials. Here are the most common (and most popular) substrates:

1. Acrylic (Most Popular UV Substrate)

Why it works: Acrylic has a smooth surface. This provides a perfect canvas for UV ink. Additionally, it offers excellent adhesion and vibrant color reproduction.

Applications:

• Awards and trophies (corporate recognition, sports achievements)
• Signs and displays (retail, office, wayfinding)
• Photo prints (modern, sleek alternative to framed photos)
• Nameplates (professional desk nameplates, door signs)
• Promotional displays (point-of-sale, trade show materials)

Little 6 Experience: We print more on acrylic than any other material. For instance, clear acrylic with white ink backing creates stunning depth. Similarly, black acrylic makes colors incredibly vibrant.

2. Wood

Why it works: UV ink sits on the surface and cures instantly. As a result, it doesn’t soak in like regular ink would.

Moreover, it works on all types of wood. This includes smooth wood, rough wood, stained wood, and sealed wood.

Applications:

• Plaques (military retirements, employee recognition, commemorative)
• Picture frames (custom photo frames with names, dates)
• Wedding favors (personalized wooden coasters, cutting boards)
• Art pieces (wood grain shows through for rustic aesthetic)
• Furniture accents (custom table inlays, decorative elements)
• Beer tap handles (brewery logos, beer names)

Real Example: A local brewery brought in wooden tap handles. We UV printed their logo and beer names directly on the wood.

There were no stickers. No decals. Just permanent prints.

The results look like they’re part of the wood itself. Plus, they’re durable enough to handle daily use in a busy bar.

3. Metal

Types: Aluminum, stainless steel, aluminum composite panel (ACP), brass

Applications:

• Building signage (lobby signs, directional signs, ACP panels)
• Control panels (industrial equipment with logos and instructions)
• Industrial part branding (serial numbers, company logos, specifications)
• Nameplates (professional metal nameplates for desks, doors)
• Tool branding (saw blades with brand logos and usage instructions)

Durability Advantage: UV ink on metal is incredibly scratch-resistant and weatherproof. Perfect for outdoor signage or industrial applications.

4. Glass

Special Capability: We can print on the front (visible surface). Alternatively, we can print on the back (reverse printing for protected ink).

Applications:

• Awards (glass plaques, recognition pieces)
• Coasters (restaurant branding, promotional items)
• Decorative pieces (art glass, custom designs)
• Reverse-painted glass (print on back, view from front—ink is protected behind glass)

Why Reverse Printing Matters: When we print on the back of glass, you see the image through the glass from the front.

Here’s the advantage: The ink is permanently protected behind the glass surface. Therefore, it can’t be scratched or damaged.

5. Plastic

Types: PVC, polycarbonate, polypropylene, ABS

Applications:

• Phone cases (massive market for custom photo phone cases)
• Electronics covers (laptop cases, tablet covers)
• Signage (durable outdoor signs)
• Promotional items (custom branded products)

Note: Some plastics may need primer for best adhesion. We always test new plastic materials before production runs.

6. Ceramic & Tile

Applications:

• Decorative tiles (custom art tiles, memorial tiles)
• Coasters (ceramic coasters with custom designs)
• Art pieces (ceramic canvases)

Limitation: Standard UV inks are not food-safe. We can print on the outside of mugs or plates, but not surfaces that contact food (unless using specialty food-safe inks).

7. Stone & Marble

Applications:

• Decorative pieces
• Memorial stones
• Custom marble coasters
• Architectural elements

UV printing on stone creates a permanent, durable image that becomes part of the material.

What You Can Print On: Semi-Flexible & Specialty Materials

Some materials require special inks or techniques, but UV printing can handle them:

Leather & Bags (Requires Flexible Ink)

Why special ink matters: Standard UV ink is rigid when cured. On materials that bend or flex, rigid ink will crack. Flexible UV inks (LUS-120, LUS-150) remain pliable after curing.

Applications:

• Leather-bound menus (restaurant branding)
• Tote bags (promotional bags, retail bags)
• Leather goods (wallets, portfolios—on flat panels)
• Promotional bags (non-woven, coated materials)

Important: Using hard ink on flexible materials causes cracking. We use the appropriate ink type for each material.

Canvas

Applications:

• Wall art (custom canvas prints up to 24″ x 16.5″)
• Photography reproductions (art-quality prints)
• Home décor (personalized artwork)

UV printing on canvas produces gallery-quality results with excellent color vibrancy and archival durability.

Paper Products

Applications:

• Custom notebooks (company logos, employee names)
• Folders (branded corporate folders)
• Diaries (personalized planners)
• Stationary items (premium business cards, letterhead)

Why UV for paper: Premium look, instant dry (no smudging), durable finish

Cylindrical Objects (Optional Kebab Attachment)

The Mimaki UJF-6042MkII e can be equipped with an optional Kebab attachment for 360-degree printing on cylindrical objects:

Applications:

• Tumblers (stainless steel, plastic)
• Water bottles (promotional drinkware)
• Wine bottles (custom labels printed directly on glass)
• Candles (decorative candles with full-wrap designs)
• Vases (custom home décor)

Unusual Items We’ve Printed

The versatility of UV printing means we get interesting requests:

What You Can’t Print On (And Why)

UV printing is versatile, but it has limitations. Here’s what doesn’t work—and what to use instead:

1. Apparel / T-Shirts

Why it doesn’t work: Fabric flexes and bends constantly with body movement and washing. UV ink cures rigid, which causes cracking on flexible fabrics.

Alternative: Use DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing, which Little 6 also offers. DTF transfers are designed for fabric and remain flexible through washing and wearing.

Exception: Can UV print small logos on rigid elements like leather jacket patches or thick canvas panels that don’t flex much.

2. Highly Elastic Materials

Examples: Spandex, lycra, stretchy athletic fabrics

Why it doesn’t work: These materials stretch 50-200%. UV ink can’t stretch that much without cracking.

Alternative: DTF printing for stretchy garments

3. Silicone

Why it doesn’t work: Silicone has a non-stick surface by design. UV ink doesn’t bond well to silicone.

Workaround: Special primers exist, but adhesion remains poor and unreliable.

Alternative: Pad printing or screen printing are better options for silicone products

4. Super Porous Materials

Examples: Uncoated cardboard, untreated fabric, raw concrete, unsealed terracotta

Why it doesn’t work: Ink absorbs into the material before UV light can cure it. Results in bleeding, poor image quality.

Solution: Coating or sealing the material first might work, but these aren’t ideal UV substrates.

5. Size Limitations

6. Food-Contact Surfaces

Important Safety Note: Standard UV inks are not food-safe.

Example: Can print on the outside of a mug, but not the inside where beverages contact the surface.

Workaround: Specialty food-safe UV inks exist (EdiJET versions), but we use standard UV inks. We print on non-contact surfaces only.

7. Materials That Can’t Lay Flat

Challenge: Extreme curves, irregular shapes, objects that can’t be secured flat

Exception: Kebab attachment solves cylindrical objects (tumblers, bottles). Custom jigs can hold some irregular shapes.

Special Effects: Beyond Basic Printing

UV printing isn’t just CMYK color. The Mimaki’s special inks create effects impossible with traditional printing:

1. White Ink Underbase

What it does: Provides an opaque white base layer before applying color inks

Why it matters: On dark or transparent materials, colors look washed out without a white base. White ink creates a solid foundation for vibrant colors.

Applications:

• Black acrylic awards (white base makes colors pop)
• Clear glass (white backing creates opacity)
• Dark wood (colors stay true instead of absorbing into dark grain)
• Transparent plastics (full-color images on clear phone cases)

2. Clear Gloss Finish

What it does: Clear ink adds a glossy, premium finish to specific areas

Applications:

• Make logos shine while background stays matte
• Highlight specific elements in a design
• Create contrast and visual interest
• Premium packaging with spot gloss

Example: Corporate award with matte black background and glossy company logo creates dramatic contrast.

3. Matte Effects

What it does: Clear ink formulated for matte finish reduces shine

Applications:

• High-end awards with sophisticated matte look
• Art prints where glare would be distracting
• Signage in bright environments (reduces glare)
• Wood plaques for rustic aesthetic

4. Embossed / Raised Effects

What it does: Layer clear ink multiple times to create raised 3D texture you can feel

Applications:

• ADA-compliant Braille signage (required for accessibility)
• Tactile logos on awards (adds dimension)
• Embossed text on business cards
• Dimensional art with layers

The clear ink builds up layer by layer, creating genuine raised texture—not just the illusion of depth.

5. Texture Library (129 Patterns)

What it does: Mimaki’s RasterLink software includes 129 pre-designed texture patterns

Applications:

• Simulate wood grain on smooth plastic
• Create fabric texture on hard surfaces
• Add decorative patterns
• Make smooth materials look textured

6. Dual-Layer Printing

What it does: Mimaki’s staggered printhead arrangement can print color + white/clear simultaneously

Benefit: Faster production without sacrificing quality. Color and white base applied in single pass.

Applications by Industry

UV printing serves diverse industries. Here’s who uses it and why:

Promotional Products Companies

What they need: Custom gifts, corporate giveaways, event merchandise, trade show items

Why UV printing: On-demand production (no minimums), fast turnaround, print one or hundreds

Examples: Branded phone cases, custom keychains, awards and plaques, promotional drinkware

Signage & Graphics

What they need: Indoor and outdoor signs, wayfinding, building lobbies, retail displays

Why UV printing: Weather-resistant, vibrant colors, durable (won’t fade in Arizona sun)

Materials: Acrylic, aluminum composite, glass, metal

Restaurants & Hospitality

What they need: Durable items that withstand cleaning, premium appearance

Examples: Leather-bound menus, branded coasters, decorative glass, custom signage, table toppers

Awards & Recognition

What they need: Custom awards without minimum orders, full-color capability

Materials: Acrylic, wood, glass, metal

Why UV printing: Can produce one unique award or 100 identical ones with equal efficiency

Industrial / Manufacturing

What they need: Permanent markings, durable branding, serial numbers

Examples: Control panels with logos and instructions, component branding, part identification, tool branding

Why UV printing: Permanent, scratch-resistant, can include variable data (serial numbers)

Artists & Photographers

What they need: Gallery-quality prints on unique substrates

Materials: Canvas, wood, acrylic, metal

Why UV printing: Art-quality 1200 dpi resolution, archival durability, unique presentation options

Home Décor

Examples: Custom picture frames, decorative pieces, personalized gifts, wedding decorations

Preparation Tips for Best Results

Proper preparation makes the difference between good and great UV prints:

Substrate Preparation

1. Clean the Surface

• Remove dust, oils, fingerprints
• Use isopropyl alcohol for most materials
• Let dry completely before printing
• Why: Contaminants prevent proper ink adhesion

2. Test Adhesion First

• Always test new materials before production runs
• Print small test area, let cure 24 hours, perform scratch test
• Why: Some materials need primer, some won’t work at all

3. Secure Items Properly

• Use vacuum bed hold-down for flat items
• Custom jigs or fixtures for irregular shapes
• Ensure completely level surface
• Why: Movement during printing causes blurry, misaligned results

4. Consider Texture

• Smooth surfaces: Best for fine details, photos, small text
• Textured surfaces: Bold designs work better, fine text may fill in
• Why: UV ink sits on surface peaks—valleys may not receive ink

Design Considerations

1. White Underbase Planning

Dark or transparent materials need white ink layer first. Design files should include white layer artwork. Pro tip: “Choke” the white layer slightly (shrink it 1-2 pixels) so white doesn’t show at color edges.

2. Resolution & File Quality

• Provide high-resolution files (300 dpi minimum for photos)
• Vector files best for logos and text (infinitely scalable)
• Raster files (photos) should be high quality
• Why: 1200 dpi printer can reproduce fine detail if source file supports it

3. Account for Substrate Characteristics

Wood grain will show through (that’s part of the charm). Textured surfaces affect design appearance. Test prints recommended for critical projects or unfamiliar materials.

Why Choose Professional UV Printing (The Little 6 Advantage)

You could buy a UV printer. Or you could work with professionals who’ve already made the investment and mastered the process.

DIY UV Printers vs Professional Service

What This Means for You

Skip the Capital Investment

• No $40,000 equipment purchase
• No ongoing maintenance costs
• No learning curve or training time
• No failed prints wasting materials while you learn

Get Professional Results

• Consistent quality every single time
• Multiple ink types for different materials
• Special effects (gloss, matte, embossed)
• Expert substrate knowledge

Arizona Climate Expertise

Our temperature control mastery (essential for DTF printing) applies equally to UV printing. We maintain optimal conditions year-round in Maricopa’s extreme climate—120°F summers, 40°F winter mornings. Consistent environment = consistent results.

No Minimums

• Print one phone case or 100—same unit cost
• Test samples before committing to large orders
• On-demand production when you need it

Fast Turnaround

• Same-day for rush orders (when possible)
• Instant cure = immediate handling
• Efficient workflow from years of experience

The SDVOSB Difference

• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
• Attention to detail learned from military service
• Mission-driven, not just transactional
• We care about your result, not just your order

The Versatility Advantage

UV flatbed printing opened up possibilities we couldn’t offer before.

When someone brings us a material and asks “can you print on this?”, the answer is almost always yes. And when it’s not, we’ll tell you what will work instead.

What we covered:

• UV printing works on almost any rigid surface through instant UV-LED curing
• Mimaki UJF-6042MkII e capabilities: 24″ x 16.5″ area, 6″ thick objects, 1200 dpi resolution
• Materials that work: acrylic, wood, metal, glass, plastic, leather (flexible ink), canvas, and more
• Materials that don’t: apparel (use DTF), silicone, super stretchy fabrics, food-contact surfaces
• Special effects: white ink, clear gloss/matte, embossed texture, 129 texture patterns
• Applications across industries: promotional products, signage, awards, industrial, art, home décor

The Little 6 Advantage:

Professional Mimaki equipment with automatic maintenance. Multiple ink types for diverse materials. Temperature-controlled facility (Arizona climate expertise). SDVOSB quality and attention to detail. No minimums, fast turnaround. “Bring it in and we’ll test it” approach.

That’s the difference between having a tool and having expertise. We don’t just own a UV printer—we’ve mastered UV printing.

Ready to Print on Something Unique?

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