With direct-to-print technologies that use UV-curable inks, photographic images, graphic designs, and art can be printed on wallcoverings, flooring materials, tabletops, plywood, clear and colored Plexiglas, thin and thick PVC, and metal. (The image shown here was printed directly on 1/2-inch thick Plexiglas.)
This technology is often referred to as direct printing, because
an image can be printed directly onto a rigid substrate. Many printers
that use UV-curable inks can also print on rolled substrates, such as
canvas, backlit films, and papers.The HP Scitex FB500 can produce photographic resolution and print with white ink. White ink is used when images are printed on non-white and clear substrates.
After you have located a print-provider in your area, communicate closely with the printing firm with regards to the file type, resolution, and color space that will produce the optimum quality.
File TypeYou can’t go wrong submitting your image as a TIFF or PDF. But if you have to use white ink, follow the provided guidelines closely to call out the area needed for white ink. This is usually in the creation of a “spot” or “alpha” channel used to define the area where white ink will be printed.
Resolution
Large-format guidelines still apply when printing direct to substrate. Submitting at least 240 ppi to 300 ppi will give you the best photographic output. Newer-model UV-curable printers have variable drop-size capabilities for better image quality. These printers can add more dots (detail) in the highlights and midtones of images.
Direct printing is growing rapidly, especially now that the resolution and quality are good enough to impress even the most picky photographer and/or ad agency.
