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UV-Flatbed Printers – Signage is just the beginning!

What Are UV Flatbed Printer Applications?

When most people think about UV-flatbed printers, they think about signage, but the reality is that UV flatbed printer applications go far beyond traditional sign production. This is especially true when you consider the non-desktop type of models. A lot of sign blanks are in the 18” x 24” or larger range, and most desktop printers have smaller print areas than that. Unfortunately, people sometimes miss the fact that there are a lot of “non-signage” applications for mid- to large-sized UV-flatbed printers. Understanding the full range of UV flatbed printer applications can open new revenue streams and differentiate your business.

One of the biggest mistakes new users make is underestimating how many UV flatbed printer applications exist outside of signage. Our customers often discover that promotional products and industrial printing generate faster ROI than traditional sign work.

Industrial UV Flatbed Printer Applications

One of the most impactful UV flatbed printer applications is direct-to-product printing for product identification. This includes logos, serial numbers, compliance labels, and control panels.

ColDesi Insight: Manufacturers are increasingly moving away from adhesive labels due to durability concerns and inconsistent placement. UV printing eliminates these issues while improving product appearance.

Direct printing not only enhances durability but also elevates perceived product quality, especially when compared to stickers or decals that can peel, fade, or be misaligned.

Niche Market UV Flatbed Printer Applications

Exploring niche UV flatbed printer applications like these can create consistent, repeat business.

Funeral and Memorial Products

One good example of using a UV-flatbed for something other than signs would be burial urns for the funeral industry. More individuals and families now choose cremation (57%+) over traditional burials. The marketplace for customized urns and mini urns has steadily increased over the past decade. Even larger percentages of pets are cremated, opening additional opportunities to provide an important service to individuals wanting to remember, as well as generating ongoing work for your UV-flatbed printer.

Custom Home Decor (Coir Mats)

Depending on the size of your UV-flatbed printer, you can venture into the world of coir mat printing. Coir mats are made from coconut husks and are traditionally decorated by either screen printing or painting with stencils. Both methods are effective, but neither allows for the quick pivots needed for customization due to their analog nature. Adding a family name or other custom phrase or image to coir mats drives retail pricing up and opens new doors that you might never have thought to knock on. Custom home décor like this is one of the higher-margin UV flatbed printer applications for small businesses.

Hobby and Model Markets

Additionally, hobby markets represent unique UV flatbed printer applications, including RC cars, model trains, planes, and other hobbies, and can be great places to sell output either through direct decoration or by implementing UV/DTF on your UV-flatbed printer.

Sports and Promotional UV Flatbed Printer Applications

UV-flatbed printers can be used to embellish all kinds of sports balls. One of the first that comes to mind for many would be golf balls. But it doesn’t stop there. Tees, golf pencils, ball markers, and many other golf-specific items can be decorated with a UV-flatbed printer. These items can be gifts, promotional items, or fundraiser swag for tournaments. While you are at it, sell them hole sponsor signs, best ball signs, and closest-to-the-pin signs! Baseballs and softballs can be customized with team ID, special event decoration, or even as awards or keepsakes for special achievements, for individual players, coaches, sponsors, volunteers, and teams.

Awards and Recognition Industry Applications

Then, there is the awards industry. This is one of the most profitable UV flatbed printer applications, especially when upgrading from traditional engraving methods. Acrylic, glass, wood, and aluminum awards are all prime candidates for UV-flatbed printing. A lot of these items have traditionally been done with sublimation, laser, or rotary engraving. UV printing brings full color to the forefront and allows for brighter colors, second-surface printing as well as the ability to incorporate dimensional printing through textured prints.

A ColDesi customer in the awards industry increased their average order value by 35% after switching from engraving to UV printing, allowing for full-color, textured designs.

Promotional Products and Ad Specialty Applications

Don’t forget the ad specialties and promotional products marketplaces. Pens, calculators, key fobs, notepads, drink holders … the list is too extensive to fit in this space. Many of these items, which have historically been pad printed, can now be printed on a UV-flatbed printer, offering more color, no minimums, quick turnaround, and, most importantly, good profit margins.

Photo and Personalized Gift Applications

The photo industry is another great place to put a UV-flatbed printer to work. Pre-stretched canvas can quickly be converted into a cherished wall hanging. Small canvases make great gifts for family members after the birth of a new baby, a high school or college graduation, or a reminder of a loved one. Frames can be embellished to remind the recipient of the who, where and why of the photo contained within. Blank Christmas ornaments can be printed to reflect babies’ first Christmas, memories of the year just passed, or milestones such as “our 10th Christmas.” The ideas here are almost endless.

At ColDesi, we help businesses identify the most profitable UV flatbed printer applications based on their market, budget, and production goals.

Why UV Flatbed Printer Applications Create New Revenue Streams

The list of UV flatbed printer applications goes on and on. You can certainly use your UV-flatbed printer to print signs. In fact, it is great if you can keep it busy doing just that. But, for many, the opportunities that exist outside of the traditional sign printing abilities of a UV-flatbed printer are a great way to expand revenue as well as to help justify the addition of the printer to your business offering.

How to Get Started with UV Flatbed Printing

If you’re ready to expand beyond signage and unlock new revenue streams, now is the time to invest in UV flatbed printing.

ColDesi offers industry-leading UV printers, training, and ongoing support to help you succeed from day one.

Talk to a ColDesi expert to learn which applications make the most sense for you.