White Ink Flatbed Printing
Why is White Ink Important?
White ink is a powerful tool in the world of flatbed printing, offering creative possibilities that would otherwise be limited by standard printing processes. By using white ink, we can achieve striking results on a wide range of materials, including glass, acrylic, wood, metal, and other transparent or dark-colored surfaces. Here’s why white ink plays such a vital role in high-quality printing:
-
Enhanced Color Vibrancy: When printing on dark or transparent materials, white ink acts as a primer, providing a bright base layer that ensures your colors appear vivid and true to the design. Without white ink, colors would be muted or washed out, especially when printed on materials like glass or colored acrylic.
-
Opacity and Coverage: White ink allows us to print solid, opaque designs that stand out even on dark backgrounds. This makes it perfect for logos, text, and intricate designs that need to be clearly visible, no matter what surface they’re applied to.
-
Design Flexibility: Beyond just a base coat, white ink can also be used for special effects. For example, it can be applied selectively in areas of the print to create depth or texture. This opens up opportunities for unique, multi-dimensional designs that are impossible to achieve without white ink.
-
Versatility: White ink can be printed as an undercoat, overcoat, or as part of a layered design. This means it can be used in multiple ways to achieve various effects—whether you’re looking for a subtle highlight or a bold, high-contrast design. It’s particularly beneficial for backlit signs, where the white ink makes the colors pop even more.
-
Better Detailing on Non-Traditional Media: For artists and designers working with unconventional materials, white ink is indispensable. It ensures that prints on materials like metal, glass, or textured surfaces maintain their sharpness and clarity. Without white ink, these materials can absorb colors in ways that diminish detail, but with it, every intricate design is faithfully reproduced.
What kind of materials can white ink be flatbed printed on?
The sky is the limit, but here are some common examples of the types of signs that are flatbed printed:
- Easel Signs
- Standees (cut-out photo-quality images)
- Wayfinding signs
- Brand activation signs
- Trade show event signs
- Red Carpet hand-held logos and messages
- Step and Repeat boards
- Table display signs
- Political signs
- Parade signs
- Festival signs
- Rally signs
- Demonstration signs
- Movie location signs
- Custom movie props
- Hoarding Signs, Construction Hoarding, Hoarding Boards
- Scenic Flats
What kind of materials can white ink be flatbed printed on?
Rigid Materials
These are the most popular for flatbed printing with white ink:
-
Acrylic / Plexiglass – Great for signage and display, especially when backlit.
-
Glass – For decorative panels, signage, or architectural applications.
-
Wood – Natural wood or MDF for art, décor, or branding elements.
-
Metal – Aluminum (including Dibond), stainless steel, or coated metals.
-
PVC / Sintra board – Lightweight, durable, and common in signage.
-
Foamboard / Gatorboard – Great for temporary displays and presentations.
-
Corrugated plastic (Coroplast) – Common for outdoor signs and yard signs.
-
Ceramic / Tiles – For custom wall tiles or home décor.
-
Stone / Slate – Often used for photo printing or art pieces.
-
Cardboard / Chipboard – For packaging prototypes or eco-friendly signs.
Flexible Materials (if the flatbed supports roll-to-roll or flexible sheets):
-
Vinyl – Especially clear or dark-colored vinyl where white ink serves as a base or highlight.
-
Film / Mylar – For overlays, industrial applications, or packaging mockups.
-
Canvas – Art prints or signage with opaque white base layers.
-
Fabric – Some treated fabrics can take UV ink, especially for backlit or signage purposes.
-
Leather (or faux leather) – For personalization or branding.
Use Cases for White Ink:
-
Underlay: White is printed first as a base layer on dark or transparent substrates to make colors pop.
-
Overlay / Spot white: To highlight certain design elements.
-
Textures / Special Effects: Layered white ink can create raised, textured prints.