UV Flatbed Printer Applications That Add Revenue

Promotional products can range from one personalized item to large orders for corporate campaigns, events, and retail promotions. A UV flatbed printer gives print shops a way to produce customized products in-house, opening opportunities across personalization, specialty graphics, and both short- and higher-volume production.

Why UV Printing Fits the Promotional Products Market

Many promotional products derive their value from personalization, and that is where digital production earns its margin. A business may need a single recognition award, 100 branded tumblers for an event, or a standing monthly order of employee gifts.

Direct UV printing prints onto objects and rigid materials without screens. The MUTOH UV lineup includes compact, mid-size, and larger-format flatbed printers, plus a hybrid model that handles both rigid and roll media. A UV flatbed printer that fits the work size minimizes setup for short runs and still provides space for larger jobs later.

Examples of Promotional Products

There is a wide range of products that can be customized with direct UV printing:

These applications can range from individual personalized products and small batches to larger-volume promotional orders. That makes them useful for corporate gifting, employee recognition, events, retail promotions, customer giveaways, and other orders where personalization is more important than volume.

Add Value with White Ink, Varnish, and Texture

Promotional products do not have to rely on color alone to stand out. White ink and varnish can add another level of design flexibility, particularly when printing on dark, colored, or transparent materials.

MUTOH UV system supports CMYK plus white and varnish printing, allowing shops to incorporate effects such as spot gloss, texture, and raised details into their production workflow.

Create Effects Beyond Standard Color

White ink can provide an opaque foundation for graphics or be used as an additional layer in the design. Varnish can then be applied selectively to create contrast between glossy and standard finishes.

For example, an acrylic award could feature a full-color logo combined with a raised or glossy portion of the design. A branded promotional item could use selective varnish to emphasize a logo or graphic detail.

For a closer look at how these channels work in production, see how white and varnish spot colors add value.

Choose the Right UV Platform for the Application

The ideal printer depends on the type and size of products being produced, expected order volume, available workspace, and whether promotional products will complement other applications in the shop.

Compact Flatbed Printing with the XpertJet 461UF

The XpertJet 461UF is a desktop flatbed with a 19" x 13" print area that handles objects up to 5.91" thick. It can be configured in CMYK or CMYK plus white and varnish.

Good fit for:

• Personalized merchandise and gift items.
• Awards, plaques, and recognition pieces.
• Phone cases, coasters, and flat promotional goods.
• Short-run customized work.

For shops evaluating a UV printer for small businesses, the XPJ-461UF is compact enough for a standard back-office space and still runs the same white and varnish effects as the larger models.

Expanded Flatbed Capabilities with the XpertJet 661UF

The XpertJet 661UF adds working area at 19" x 23" and ships with a vacuum table and stand. An optional rotary unit prints on cylindrical objects from 30 to 120 mm in diameter, bringing tumblers, bottles, and travel mugs into range.

Good fit for:

• Drinkware, with the optional rotary unit.
• Awards and plaques.
• Rigid graphics and decorative panels.
• Personalized specialty items.

Shops that expect drinkware to carry a real share of their promotional volume should consider the rotary unit at the time of purchase rather than afterwards.

Larger-Format Applications With the XpertJet 1462UF

The XpertJet 1462UF moves to a 55.9" x 27.5" bed with four-zone vacuum hold and staggered dual print heads, the first running CMYK and the second running white and varnish. It handles media up to 5.9" thick.

Good fit for:

• Larger rigid promotional products.
• Displays, panels, and promotional signage.
• Awards and specialty graphics.
• Multiple smaller items arranged on the bed.

Its larger format provides flexibility for businesses handling personalized pieces as well as more production orders.

Rigid and Roll Media with the ValueJet 1638UH Mark II

The ValueJet 1638UH Mark II is a 64-inch hybrid that runs roll media and rigid substrates on the same machine. It can be set up as CMYK, or CMYK plus white and varnish.

Good fit for:

• Rigid promotional products and displays.
• Roll-to-roll applications.
• Specialty and larger-format graphics.
• Shops combining promotional work with wider-format production.

For businesses looking to add promotional products without limiting the printer to flatbed applications, the VJ-1638UH Mark II provides a broader production range.

Build a More Valuable Promotional Offering

The opportunity in promotional products is not limited to small, customized orders. Print providers can serve individual customers, businesses ordering branded merchandise, event organizers requiring hundreds of products, and larger campaigns requiring consistent production across a high volume of items.

A customized award, branded tumbler, personalized pen, or large promotional order can carry value because it is produced for a specific customer, brand, or occasion. With the right workflow, print shops can add these applications to their existing business while taking on different order sizes and production requirements.

Expand Into Promotional Products with UV Printing

A UV flatbed printer can bring direct-to-object and rigid-substrate production into the shop, while white ink and varnish create opportunities for added contrast, gloss, texture, and raised effects. With platforms ranging from compact flatbeds to larger systems and the hybrid ValueJet 1638UH Mark II, businesses can select equipment based on the applications, materials, and production volumes they want to pursue.

Ready to explore what UV printing can do for your products? Request a sample to evaluate an application, or find your nearest dealer to discuss your production needs.