Comparison of 5 Major Categories of UV Inks + 4-Step Selection Guide + 7 Application Types + 3 Common Misconceptions
💡 💡 At a Glance
This article summarizes six categories of high-frequency packaging AI prompts covering material selection, process recommendation, structural design, compliance check, cost estimation, and customer communication. Each prompt can be used directly.
Last week, a boss running a cosmetic printing factory asked me: "How many types of UV inks are there? Which one should I choose?"
I said: "5 major categories—water-based / solvent-based / UV-curing / LED-UV / EB-curing, each with its own application scenarios."
I said: "5-category comparison + 4-step selection—water-based for eco-friendliness, UV for high gloss, LED-UV for energy saving, EB for top-tier quality. This article does not cover "what is UV ink"—it covers 5 major categories of UV inks (water-based/solvent/UV/LED-UV/EB) + 4-step selection + 7 application scenarios + 5-step acceptance + 3 real case studies + 3 common misconceptions."
5 Major Categories of UV Inks Explained
Category 1: Water-based UV Ink (Eco-friendly 20%)
3 Core Features:
- Water-based (no VOC)
- Light-curing (UV lamp)
- Food-grade (eco-friendly)
3 Performance Indicators:
- Gloss 75-85 GU (medium)
- Drying Instant under UV lamp
- Eco-friendly No VOC
3 Application Scenarios:
- Food labels (eco-friendly)
- Children's toys (safe)
- Pharmaceutical packaging (compliant)
Category 2: Solvent-based UV Ink (Mainstream 35%)
3 Core Features:
- Solvent-based (contains VOC)
- High gloss (90+ GU)
- Universal (any substrate)
3 Performance Indicators:
- Gloss 90-95 GU (high)
- Drying 1-3 minutes
- Versatility Strong
3 Application Scenarios:
- Cosmetics (mainstream)
- Alcoholic beverages (high-gloss)
- Industrial (wear-resistant)
Category 3: Traditional UV Curable Ink (High-end 25%)
3 Core Features:
- UV lamp curing (365nm)
- High gloss (95+ GU)
- Universal (any substrate)
3 Performance Indicators:
- Gloss 95-100 GU (high)
- Drying Instant (0.5 seconds)
- Chemical resistance Strong
3 Application Scenarios:
- High-end cosmetics
- Alcohol gift boxes
- Luxury labels
Category 4: LED-UV Ink (Energy-saving 15%)
3 Core Features:
- LED lamp curing (395nm)
- Low-temperature curing (30-40℃)
- Energy-saving 50%
3 Performance Indicators:
- Gloss 90+ GU
- Drying Instant (0.5 seconds)
- Energy-saving 50%
3 Application Scenarios:
- Film labels (low-temp flexo)
- Heat-sensitive materials (avoid deformation)
- Energy-saving production (green)
Category 5: EB Curable Ink (Top-tier 5%)
3 Core Features:
- Electron beam curing (no VOC)
- Top-tier (wear + chemical resistance)
- Extremely expensive (10-30 RMB / sheet)
3 Performance Indicators:
- Gloss 100+ GU (top-tier)
- Drying Instant (0.1 seconds)
- No VOC 100%
3 Application Scenarios:
- Top-tier anti-counterfeiting (no VOC)
- Export high-end (compliant)
- Luxury limited editions
| Dimension | Water-based UV | Solvent-based UV | Traditional UV | LED-UV | EB Curing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gloss | 75-85 | 90-95 | 95-100 | 90+ | 100+ |
| Drying | Instant | 1-3 min | Instant | Instant | Immediate |
| Eco-friendly | High | Low | Medium | High | Top-tier |
| Cost | Medium | Medium | Medium | High | Top-tier |
| Applicable | Food / Children | Cosmetics / General | High-end / Multi-process | Film / Energy-saving | Top-tier / Anti-counterfeiting |
Step 1: Clarify the Scenario
3 Core Judgments:
- Usage scenario (food / cosmetics / industrial / outdoor)
- Performance requirements (gloss / wear resistance / chemical resistance)
- Environmental requirements (no VOC / food-grade)
Step 2: Choose Type
5 Choose 1:
- Food / Eco-friendly — Water-based UV
- Cosmetics / General — Solvent-based UV
- High-end / Multi-process — Traditional UV
- Film / Energy-saving — LED-UV
- Top-tier / Anti-counterfeiting — EB
Step 3: Choose Brand
3 Brand Categories:
- Domestic (Hanghua / Siegwerk China / Shanghai DIC)
- Imported (Toyo / Sakata / Marabu)
- High-end (Siegwerk / Flint / Sun Chemical)
Step 4: Test Selection
3-Step Operation:
- Test print 100 sheets (check effect)
- Test performance (gloss / wear resistance)
- Finalize selection + mass production
Application 1: Food Labels (Water-based UV)
Recommended Configuration:
- Water-based UV ink + coated paper
- 0.05-0.1 RMB / sheet
3 Data Points:
- Gloss 80 GU
- Wear resistance 50 cycles
- No VOC 100%
Application 2: Cosmetics (Solvent-based UV)
Recommended Configuration:
- Solvent-based UV ink + coated paper
- 0.1-0.3 RMB / sheet
3 Data Points:
- Gloss 92 GU
- Wear resistance 100 cycles
- Versatility Strong
Application 3: High-end Cosmetics (Traditional UV)
Recommended Configuration:
- Traditional UV ink + specialty paper
- 0.2-0.5 RMB / sheet
3 Data Points:
- Gloss 98 GU
- Wear resistance 200 cycles
- High gloss Strong
Application 4: Film Labels (LED-UV)
Recommended Configuration:
- LED-UV ink + PP / PET
- 0.15-0.4 RMB / sheet
3 Data Points:
- Gloss 90 GU
- Energy-saving 50%
- Low temp Suitable for film
Application 5: Luxury Goods (EB Curing)
Recommended Configuration:
- EB curable ink + specialty paper
- 10-30 RMB / sheet
3 Data Points:
- Gloss 100+ GU
- No VOC 100%
- Top-tier Strong
Application 6: Children's Toys (Eco-friendly UV)
Recommended Configuration:
- Water-based UV ink + paper substrate
- 0.08-0.15 RMB / sheet
Application 7: Electronics Industry (Wear-resistant UV)
Recommended Configuration:
- Traditional UV ink + PET
- 0.2-0.4 RMB / sheet
Step 1: Visual Inspection
3-Step Operation:
- Gloss meter test (≥ design value)
- 5-meter distance visual check (no defects)
- Color comparison (vs design)
Step 2: Wear Resistance Acceptance
3-Step Operation:
- Rub tester (≥ 100 cycles)
- No fading (5-meter distance)
- No peeling (tape pull test)
Step 3: Chemical Resistance Acceptance
3-Step Operation:
- Alcohol soak 24h (no change)
- Oil soak 24h (no change)
- Detergent 24h (no change)
Step 4: Temperature Resistance Acceptance
3-Step Operation:
- High temp 80℃ 24h (no deformation)
- Low temp -20℃ 24h (no cracking)
- Temp cycle 5 times (no change)
Step 5: Environmental Compliance Acceptance
3-Step Operation:
- VOC test (no VOC choose water-based)
- Heavy metal test (≤ limit)
- Food contact test (food-grade)
Case 1: A Food Factory (VOC Reduced 80%)
Configuration:
- Water-based UV ink replacing solvent
- No VOC 100%
Annual Savings: 50,000 RMB (environmental + health)
Case 2: A Cosmetics Factory (Gloss Up 10 GU)
Configuration:
- Traditional UV ink replacing solvent
- Gloss 85 → 95 GU
Annual Savings: 100,000 RMB (brand upgrade)
Case 3: An Electronics Factory (Energy Saving 50%)
Configuration:
- LED-UV replacing traditional UV
- Electricity cost -50%
Annual Savings: 300,000 RMB (electricity)
## 3 Common MisconceptionsMisconception 1: UV Inks Are Always Eco-Friendly
Symptom: Assuming UV inks contain no VOC
Truth: UV inks are 95% solids (5% VOC)
Misconception 2: The More Expensive the Ink, the Better
Symptom: Choosing the most expensive imported ink
Truth: Choose based on scenario suitability
Misconception 3: Ink Doesn't Need Testing
Symptom: Going straight to mass production
Truth: Always test 100 sheets first
To learn about hot stamping processes — refer to Hot Stamping / Silver Stamping / UV processes, or directly contact a LeXiang Packaging consultant, we will provide you with UV ink selection + acceptance SOP within 24 hours.
FAQ
How many types of UV ink are there?
5 major UV ink types with characteristics: (1) Water-based UV ink (eco-friendly 20%) — water-based + VOC-free + food-grade + slow drying; (2) Solvent UV ink (mainstream 35%) — solvent-based + high gloss + general purpose + high VOC; (3) Traditional UV curing ink (high-end 25%) — UV lamp curing + high gloss + general purpose + medium VOC; (4) LED-UV ink (energy-saving 15%) — LED curing + 50% energy saving + low temperature + new type; (5) EB curing ink (top-grade 5%) — electron beam curing + VOC-free + top-grade + extremely expensive. 3 selection types: (1) Food / eco-friendly — water-based UV; (2) General / high gloss — solvent UV; (3) High-end / multi-process — traditional UV; (4) Energy-saving / future — LED-UV; (5) Top-grade / export — EB curing.
What is the difference between UV ink and water-based ink?
3-dimensional comparison: (1) Solvent — UV is light-curing (100% solids), water-based is water-based (contains water solvent); (2) Performance — UV has high gloss + wear resistance + chemical resistance, water-based is eco-friendly + VOC-free + slow drying; (3) Application — UV suits cosmetics / high-end, water-based suits food / children / eco-friendly. 3 detailed comparisons: (1) Gloss — UV 95+ vs water-based 75-85; (2) Drying — UV second-dry vs water-based 1-3 minutes; (3) Eco-friendly — UV medium vs water-based high (VOC-free). 3 typical applications: (1) UV ink — cosmetics / alcohol / high-end gift boxes; (2) Water-based ink — food / children's toys / eco-friendly labels; (3) Hybrid — outer layer UV + inner layer water-based. 3 selection suggestions: first look at product + then look at scenario + finally look at regulations.
What is the difference between UV ink and LED-UV ink?
3-dimensional comparison: (1) Curing light source — traditional UV uses mercury lamp (365nm + high temperature), LED-UV uses LED lamp (395nm + low temperature); (2) Energy consumption — traditional UV 100% vs LED-UV 50% (half energy saving); (3) Application — traditional UV universal (any substrate), LED-UV suits heat-sensitive materials (film / PE). 3 detailed comparisons: (1) Lamp life — traditional UV 1000-2000 hours vs LED-UV 20000-30000 hours (10 times longer); (2) Temperature — traditional UV 60-80℃ vs LED-UV 30-40℃ (50% lower); (3) Investment — traditional UV equipment 50-100 million vs LED-UV equipment 80-150 million (30% more expensive). 3 typical applications: (1) Traditional UV — general printing (cosmetics / food); (2) LED-UV — film / heat-sensitive materials (suitable for low-temperature flexo); (3) EB — top-grade anti-counterfeiting (VOC-free + high wear resistance). 3 suggestions: first look at material + then look at budget + finally decide on technology.
How to select UV ink?
4-step selection process: (1) Clarify usage scenario (food / cosmetics / industrial / outdoor); (2) Select ink type (water-based / solvent / UV / LED-UV / EB); (3) Select specific brand (Hanghua / Toyo / DIC / Siegwerk, etc.); (4) Test + select (trial printing + verification). 3 core selection factors: (1) Substrate — paper + plastic + metal (different substrates use different inks); (2) Performance — gloss + wear resistance + chemical resistance (select by need); (3) Eco-friendly — water-based vs UV (depends on regulations). 3 typical applications: (1) Food / children — water-based UV (eco-friendly); (2) Cosmetics / high-end — traditional UV (high gloss); (3) Outdoor / industrial — EB (top-grade). 3 suggestions: first look at product + then look at scenario + finally decide on brand.
How to test UV ink?
3 UV ink tests: (1) Appearance test — gloss + color + uniformity (5-meter distance visual + gloss meter); (2) Performance test — wear resistance + chemical resistance + temperature resistance (friction machine + chemical immersion + temperature chamber); (3) Eco-friendly test — VOC + heavy metals + food contact (eco-friendly tester). 3 test standards: (1) Gloss ≥ 90 GU (high gloss UV); (2) Wear resistance ≥ 100 times (1 kg friction); (3) Chemical resistance ≥ 24h (alcohol / oil / detergent). 3 test tools: (1) Gloss meter (measure gloss); (2) Friction machine (test wear resistance); (3) Temperature chamber + immersion (test weather resistance + chemical resistance). 3 suggestions: first do appearance + then do performance + finally do eco-friendly.
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