Metal
UV printing on metal plates, nameplates and durable labels
Metal UV printing can serve industrial labels, equipment plates, awards and premium signage when adhesion is tested correctly.
Test adhesionRaw aluminum, coated metal and anodized parts behave differently.
Layer whiteWhite ink under CMYK gives brand color on brushed, dark or reflective surfaces.
Quote durabilityIndoor labels, awards and outdoor plates need different expectations and finishing.
Why metal is attractive
Metal products can command strong prices because they feel permanent. Think equipment tags, control-panel labels, branded plates, premium address signs, awards, desk plates and short-run industrial identification. UV flatbed printing lets the shop produce these without screen setup for every small batch.
What changes by surface
Coated aluminum, raw metal, brushed panels and painted blanks all need testing. The operator should evaluate cleaning, primer, cure, scratch resistance and whether a protective topcoat is needed. A shop that documents the approved blank can quote confidently; a shop that treats all metal the same will reprint too much.
Machine recommendation
Use a UV flatbed with white ink and a stable vacuum table. Vision positioning is valuable for pre-cut plates and jigs. A hybrid UV machine can help if metal signs are only part of a broader sign-shop mix with boards and roll media.
Printers that fit this application.
Start here, then ask us to narrow the configuration around your media size, monthly volume and workflow.
Audley UV9060 I3200-U1 Flatbed
Three Epson I3200-U1 heads give the UV9060 the speed and print quality small shops want without the capital load of a premium-brand flatbed.
From $8,900View details
Audley UV1313 I3200-U1 Flatbed
The UV1313 gives you a much bigger rigid-media platform while keeping the economics of an Epson I3200-U1 print system.
From $16,900View details
Audley Vision Positioning UV Printer
Vision positioning helps shops place artwork accurately on jigs, cut pieces, promotional blanks and products that are not perfectly square.
From $10,900View details