Oh Say Can UV?

Finally, unlike conventional offset inks, energy-curable UV inks are solvent-free and dry via exposure to high-energy electrical power, a process that generates no byproducts and is free of emissions.

That said, UV printing is not for the faint of heart. An emphasis on cost-containment in many in-plant settings typically requires an ROI analysis to determine the practical wisdom of moving to UV. For starters, a correctly equipped UV press usually costs more than a conventional press. Inks, coatings and chemistry can be more expensive. UV blankets cost about the same as conventional, although they tend to be replaced more frequently. Plastic substrates often cost more than $2 per sheet.