Product Comparison: V10 UV vs VF13 UV DTF

Product Comparison:
V10 UV vs VF13 UV DTF

UV and UV DTF printing are two printing methods that people easily confuse. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look into their similarities and differences, by focusing on one specific product of each category - V10 Pro UV printer vs VF13 Pro Panda UV DTF.

Written by Procolored - Published on Aug 8, 2024

8 minutes read

Written by Procolored - Published on Aug 8, 2024

PASSAGE SUMMARY

1. General Review: UV vs UV DTF
2. V10 UV vs VF13 UV DTF: printing process
3. V10 UV vs VF13 UV DTF: applicable objects
4. V10 UV vs VF13 UV DTF: consumable & equipment

Title

1. General Review: UV vs UV DTF

UV and UV DTF printing are two digital printing methods that people frequently mix up. Generally, they do share things in common:

They both apply ultraviolet lights, or UV lights as we usually say.

They can both be applied on surfaces of rigid objects, but not suitable for fabrics.

They both exhibit strong resistance to abrasion, scratching and water.

Yet one thing decides their huge differences - the DTF (Direct-to-Film) technology applied in UV DTF printing, leading to their appliances in different areas:

UV printing: easy but limited
UV printing tends to be a “direct-to-object” process. It performs printings directly on object surface, completing all in just one step. However, this one single step demands high requirements for the desired object - it has to be of specific material and in a specific height range; it better be flat but not cylinder or bevel.

UV DTF printing: learning curve but creative
Ace advantage first - UV DTF printing indeed is crystal sticker as we see in most decal stores. They can be easily applied - cut out your desired part, stick it on surface, peel off protective layer, done! They can be applied on objects of a wider range - boxes, tumblers, mugs or any other objects in irregular shape.
However, UV DTF printing involves not only printing but also laminating function performed by an extra laminator. Compared to UV printing, its multiple steps can be quite a learning curve to newbies in the field.

Sounds informative but still confused? No worries, we’ll go on diving deep into that in the following passage, combining two specific products.

Product

Comparison

Printer Style#

V10 Pro UV printer

VF13 Pro Panda UV DTF printer

Printable Size

11.6" ×16.5" (297×420mm)

Printing process

directly on object,

uv lamps cure

directly on film,

uv lamps cure, laminate

Applicable objects

flat surface;

height limit: 0-5.51" (0-140mm)

(ir)regular surface;

no height limit

Consumable needed

UV inks, varnish ink(optional)

UV DTF inks, varnish ink, A&B films

2. V10 UV vs VF13 UV DTF: printing process

Known: both UV and UV DTF printing apply UV lamps (ultraviolet lamps). Now, what are UV lamps and how do they affect printings?
UV lamps are devices built in UV and UV DTF printers. They emit ultraviolet light to trigger the photoinitiators existing in both UV and UV DTF inks. Via this chemical reaction, the flowing liquid inks on mediums will turn solid almost instantaneously.
However, as we’ve mentioned, UV DTF also applies DTF (direct-to-film) technology in its printing. So when it comes to specific printers like V10 UV and V13 UV DTF, how do they proceed with the printing actually?

V10 UV printer

The printer will directly deposit inks on the desired object, at the same time UV lamps cure the inks instantly. When the printing platform finally delivers the object, the printed graphic has already been cured and solid - everything’s done!

VF13 UV DTF printer

UV DTF directly prints on film, and the inks will also get cured by UV lamps at once. But the solid inks on film have to be laminated with another film to be endowed with viscosity. (Films involved will be discussed in 4. consumable & equipment)

3. V10 UV vs VF13 UV DTF: applicable objects

Known: both UV and UV DTF printing can be applied on most rigid materials, for instance, metal, acrylic, glass, plastic, wood and so on, but not suitable for fabrics.
However, when it comes to applicable object surface or shape, UV printing is more limited in below dimensions, taking V10 UV and VF13 UV DTF as example:

Height limit:

V10 UV printer proceeds printing on a printing platform, which allows objects in height within 0-5.51" (0-140mm) only. UV DTF stickers on the contrary, can be applied on objects of any height, only if they’re made of suitable materials.

Object surface limit:

UV printing ourperforms on flat surfaces, as the print heads are designed on a horizontal plane and cannot accommodate any unevenness. And yes, UV printings on cylinder or bevel objects can also be attainable, but extra object fixtures must be needed.

UV DTF printing on the contrary, achieves printings on irregular objects, without requiring additional fixtures, in the form as stickers.

UV DTF printiing applied as stickers

4. V10 UV vs VF13 UV DTF: consumable & equipment

Known: UV printing is a one-step printing process; UV DTF printing involves different types of films and multiple steps to produce sticky printings. So with what consumable and equipment can they achieve the corresponding printing effect?

V10 UV: UV printing applies UV inks and varnish ink.
UV inks: V10 UV printer is configured with hard UV inks by default. Hard inks tend to exhibit harder coatings and performs best on flat surfaces.
Varnish ink: Normally varnish ink deposits on top of UV color inks, creating a glossy surface of printings and at the same time highlighting the printing colors. Varnish ink is optional for V10 UV printer, using it or not, the printer can both create durable and striking UV printings.

VF13 UV DTF: UV DTF printing normally requires UV DTF inks, varnish ink, A film, B film and an extra laminator (except for VF13 UV DTF printer, which has already integrated printing and laminating functions together).
UV DTF inks: Unlike UV inks, UV DTF inks tend to be softer to better accommodate any contours or unevenness.
Varnish ink: Varnish ink is a must option for VF13 UV DTF printer, yet user can adjust the ink level in operation software. Sprayed on top of every printing, varnish ink is essential in enhancing the whole graphic colors and protecting the soft UV DTF inks beneath.
A film: A film is also called base film. A film is equipped with glue on it.
B film: B film is also called backing film, it's a transparent film that will later get laminated and transferred.
Laminator: An extra laminator is needed for all Procolored UV DTF printers but this VF13, since it has been upgraded with integration of both printing and laminating functions.
How does VF13 UV DTF work:

A brief procedure introduction might help you better understand the UV DTF printing workflow:

VF13 UV DTF printer directly prints on A film, and the inks will get cured by UV lamps at once. The solid inks on A film will be laminated with B film when they’re going through the heating bar, transferring the printing from A film to B film and endowing it with viscosity. Then a crystal sticker is successfully made and ready to be applied.

VF13 UV DTF printer workflow

About the Author - Joyce

Joyce has worked with Procolored since the first day she joined inkjet printing career. Through continual training courses and years of working experiences, Joyce has formed a comprehensive understanding over Procolored products and a thorough knowledge of printing technologies.

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Product Comparison:
V10 UV vs VF13 UV DTF

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