UV printing on rigid materials: how it works and what it's used for

UV printing is a digital printing technology where the ink isn't absorbed into the material but is cured instantly with UV lamps right after application — which means you can print on hard, non-porous surfaces: PVC and foam board panels, acrylic, wood, metal, glass, cardboard and leather. The practical limit is mostly the material's thickness (usually up to 40–50 mm) and flatness, rather than the type of material itself. At Atta Print in Riga, Kandavas iela 29A, we produce typical UV and digital printing jobs in 2–5 business days, while promotional products with printing take 5–10 business days after artwork approval.

How UV printing differs from other methods

Standard solvent or latex printing requires the ink to partially soak into the material or its surface layer. UV ink polymerises on the spot, right under the lamp, forming a thin, durable layer on the surface. This has three practical consequences:

• The print is ready immediately after printing — there's no need to wait for drying, so small orders can be completed quickly.
• Colour doesn't bleed or smear, so fine text (from 4–5 pt) and thin lines stay legible.
• On smooth surfaces (glass, metal, acrylic) a primer layer or special ink is needed, otherwise adhesion will be weak.

Unlike screen printing, UV printing doesn't require a separate stencil for each colour, so a full-colour image on a single piece is reasonably priced. Screen printing, on the other hand, remains more cost-effective for large volumes with 1–2 colours. We cover apparel technologies separately in our apparel printing section.

Materials UV printing works well on

The material's surface must be flat, clean and dry. Curved or heavily textured materials require a sample before a full run — we prepare these for a small extra fee, and a sample is usually ready within 1–2 business days.

Where Latvian customers use UV printing

The most common orders:

• Indoor signage and information boards for offices, clinics, schools.
• Price and menu holders for cafés and restaurants on acrylic.
• Exhibition and event stands, die-cut cardboard or PVC elements.
• Sports club awards and commemorative plaques on wood or acrylic.
• Gifts with a logo: wooden clocks, phone stands, keyrings, boxes.

If you need a soft material — banners, textile, film — we use other technologies; see our banners and stickers sections.

Approximate prices

Prices are excl. VAT and are approximate — the exact amount depends on the material, print area, contour cutting and quantity.

For items such as bottles, thermal mugs, notebooks and pens, we choose the printing method based on the surface: cylindrical items often work better with pad printing or laser engraving, and we offer these options together with the product from our catalogue in the promotional products with logo section.

File preparation

We work with vector graphics: .ai, .eps or .pdf, colour space CMYK. Practical requirements:

• Text converted to outlines or fonts attached.
• 3 mm bleed on each side if the print reaches the edge of the material.
• Contour cutting line on a separate layer, 100% magenta, clearly named.
• White colour as a separate layer if the print is intended for transparent acrylic or dark material.
• Raster images at least 150 dpi at actual size for large panels and 300 dpi for small formats.

UV ink has its own colour gamut, so bright blues and oranges on wood or dark material may differ from what you see on screen. If colour is critical — for example, a brand's core colour — we recommend ordering a sample.

Turnaround times

Standard panels and large-format jobs: 2–5 business days from approved artwork and material availability. Simple PVC panels without contour cutting are often ready in 2–3 business days. Contour cutting, acrylic processing, mounting elements or larger volumes can add a couple of days. We produce promotional products with printing in 5–10 business days after artwork approval. We can take on urgent jobs by separate arrangement.

Frequently asked questions

Is UV printing suitable for outdoor use?

Yes. On PVC and aluminium composite, outdoor prints last approximately 2–3 years, longer with a lamination or varnish layer. Placement matters too: direct southern sun fades colour faster.

Can you print on transparent acrylic?

Yes. There are two options: printing from the front or from the back with a white base, which gives a deeper, protected image. The second option is more durable because the print sits inside the panel.

What's the minimum order?

We also work with single pieces. For a single piece, most of the cost comes from preparation, so starting from 10–20 pieces the price per unit drops significantly.

Can the print be scratched off or washed off?

UV ink is resistant to washing with water and mild detergent, but it's not completely indestructible. Mechanical scratching with a sharp object or strong solvents can damage the layer. For items washed in a dishwasher, laser engraving is a safer choice.

How long does a quote take?

We prepare a quote within one business day if we know the material, size, quantity, and have artwork or at least a sketch available.

Send your file and dimensions to info@attaprint.lv, call or message us on WhatsApp at +371 25776699 — project manager Madara will help you choose the material and technology. We prepare quotes within one business day; other services are available in the printing services section.