Direct printing on glass that simply works
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Although all UV printers can print on glass with standard inks, the wear the printed product will go through is an important consideration that means you may need a more refined solution with more specialist ink. swissQprint also offers a jettable primer for PSPs that need maximum versatility that includes regular glass printing and this helps with adhesion, but if a company specialises in glass printing then they are likely to supply products that require very good adhesion and they would want to work without the additional process of priming.
This glass printing solution is aimed at companies who actually specialise in glass printing and will setup the machine for exclusive use for printing on glass, so unlikely to switch from glass to other substrates. The ink is suitable for other non-porous substrates, but certainly excludes a number of media. swissQprint does not recommend to switch inks and/or colour channels as this can easily influence the print quality. If, however, a customer wants to change business direction and therefore requires a different ink set, swissQprint say that a qualified technician will do that for them.
The glass option is available for all LED-curing swissQprint Oryx, Impala and Nyala flatbeds.
Individually printed glass elements are all the rage in interior design: for kitchen splashbacks, shower and room partitions, glass doors, lift cabin panelling, wall art, etc. For those already providing such services – and others with plans to do so – swissQprint has put together an interesting package: a mechanical solution for an efficient, clean process, supplemented by an ink set for optimum adhesion.
Glass option for an efficient and clean process
A pivoting alignment edge with five steplessly adjustable horizontal stops ensures precise positioning of glass panels on the print bed. The latter is covered by special protective paper that is air-permeable. So the vacuum holds down the media but the paper retains ink printed in the bleed margin. The print bed stays clean, and with the roll to roll option the operator advances the paper at the touch of a button. This means short set-up times between jobs.
Inks that adhere without primer
The ink set optimised for glass printing includes process and light colours, as well as white and effect varnish. A bonding agent is unnecessary, which eliminates one process step. The varnish is used for finishing, for example to produce partial frosted glass or gloss effects.
With the new solution, both newcomers and existing swissQprint users can pick up on the trend and specialise in direct printing on glass. The glass option and inks are retrofittable to swissQprint LED printers. Thus, swissQprint once again delivers on its promise to continue offering users new perspectives. Without major new investment.
