RECIPE for Great Looking Marketing Graphics

Want great looking graphics that stir the senses like a delicious aroma? No, we are not talking about graphics which waft off an actual aroma (although someone, somewhere is likely working on that). We are talking figuratively, like a visual aroma. Get noticed with large format graphics, designed with a bold single focus, which uses color strategically, and using subject matter which is relevant or edgy or both.

Are your graphics bold enough to stir an appetite? With a talented design firm and a professional  print service provider, you may discover that savory recipe. The recipe for great-looking  graphics is by using  UV flatbed printing, also known as UV direct printing or direct-to-substrate printing. The beauty of this service is that it not only delivers bold, crisp color and detail, but that you get to choose which surface you’d like to print it to. The artist’s palette lays open when you get to add this very influential factor.

Basic Ingredients:

ONE well-designed and executed digital file capture of your artwork
ONE experienced print service provider(PSP) of large format graphics
ONE large flatbed UV printer
FOUR UV printing inks, CMYK
ONE (LED) light source especially made for the UV curing process
ONE sheet(s) of ANY flat substrate of your choosing: glass or metal or wood which contributes to the flavor of your campaign
Special ingredient: ONE White UV ink for making it possible to have an opaque, neutral base on an substrate

There are many excellent reasons to incorporate UV flatbed printing into your marketing graphics. For one thing, its environmentally-friendly. The UV inks do not give off VOC’s. The chosen substrate can be recycled materials, like recycled plastics. There is no waste in comparison to other graphics production. Lower costs are due to less waste. No mounting, laminating nor glass overlays required because the surface is durable. This translates into lower materials and shipping costs.

The “special sauce“ is the white ink undercoat layer. This IS the main ingredient which allows one to successfully print on any substrate. White ink undercoating allows you to print on dark substrates, such as different wood surfaces or metals. This feature also enables you to print on transparent materials, such as glass or clear plastics, and still achieve a full-color photographic image instead of the look of a stained glass window!

The image prep time and printing time are similar to other processes, but the drying time and finishing period is reduced since it’s an “instant dry” and no need for over laminates for protection.  The “instant dry” also means no time for ink droplets to spread; thus a sharper image.  The ink does not have time to absorb into its receiving sheet so dot spread is minimal. No absorption means the graphic looks sharp, saturate, and vibrant!

By far, the greatest feature of UV flatbed printing is the ability to open the pantry door to substrate options. Paper is no longer the only substrate for continuous tone photographic quality. Last week we printed on papyrus. This option opens up  creative design options. For example: cereal manufacturers could boast on gray cardboard materials. Soda companies can print their brand on flat, but silver-colored metals or even green plastic for 7up. Earth-conscious stores could print their branding on wood or recycled surfaces, and so on.  No longer are imaginations limited to papers which imitate textures on a 2D surface.  The 3D look and feel of the substrate material now become an integral part of the overall design.  Opportunities abound for your creation, consider using UV flatbed printing for your next large format graphics project!

If you’d like to discuss large format graphics using UV flatbed printing, call 1.800.829.4562