What is the difference between UV printer and UV flatbed printer?

What is a UV roll to roll printer? How does it work?

UV roll to roll printers print on special films and then stick the films on the surface of the object. Therefore, UV DTF printers can apply more shapes and materials.

   The workflow is as follows:
1. Select pictures on computer
2. Printing pattern on film
3. The printed pattern is covered on the A film by the machine.
4. Cut out the pattern, tear off the film and stick it on the corresponding product to get the finished product

What is a UV flatbed printer? How does it work?

 printers can print directly on flat surfaces or hard objects. They use high-power suction to fix the product on the platform and complete the printing process by moving the X and Y axes. UV flatbed printers can print 95% of flat materials on the market. Ultraviolet rays are used to instantly cure the ink on the surface of the material. The final result is a durable and high-quality display.

   The workflow of a UV flatbed printer is as follows:
1. Select pictures on computer
2. Place the object or material on the printing platform of the UV flatbed printer
3. Start printing
4. Printing completed

The main differences between UV flatbed printers and UV printers are: printing process, print quality, application industry, cost, etc.

1. Printing process

As introduced above, UV flatbed printers can print directly on products. It belongs to direct printing. The printing table is flat (there is an adsorption platform or a curved surface adaptation platform with a clamp on the table) to ensure that the object does not move.
UV roll-to-roll printers need to print on film A, then the machine covers it with film B, and then transfer it to other substrates.
Therefore, UV flatbed printers are more suitable for flat or hard objects such as mobile phone cases, acrylic, keys, etc., while UV roll to roll works better on irregular and uneven surfaces such as bottles.

2. Print quality

In terms of quality, UV flatbed printers can be equipped with a visual positioning system to ensure accuracy, while UV roll-to-roll stickers require manual pasting, which is more likely to cause operational errors.

3. Application Industry

UV flatbed printers can print cylindrical objects such as bottles, pens, golf balls, mugs, etc.
The equipment has a wide range of applications, covering advertising, luggage and leather goods, home decoration, packaging and other industries.
UV flatbed printers have accurate positioning and can print at any position within the printing size range. The printed pattern can be repeated many times to form a relief effect, etc.

However, the print size is fixed, depending on the size of the machine, and you cannot print larger than the platform limit.
UV roll-to-roll printers are mainly used for personalized products, such as bags, cups, pens, notebooks, etc.

In general: UV flatbed printers can print UV crystal labels roll-to-roll: Lay film A on the printing platform, and then cover it with film B through a laminator after printing, just like the UV roll-to-roll printer. UV flatbed printers can produce highly durable prints with properties such as scratch resistance and UV resistance, which are very suitable for outdoor and long-lasting applications
UV crystal label roll-to-roll printer cannot print patterns directly on objects, but roll-to-roll UV DTF printer can print many patterns on one film, so it can provide excellent quality for large orders.

Which machine should I choose between UV flatbed printer and UV roll-to-roll printer? Which one is better?
Choosing which UV printer is best for your business depends on your specific requirements and purposes. However, whether it is a flatbed UV printer or a roll-to-roll UV DTF printer, they can output high-quality, vivid and durable prints on different materials to meet your various needs. In this competitive industry, choosing the right equipment is crucial. If you have a problem, why not contact Heyme to make a decision?