UV Cured Ink - A Printing FAQ
At Engrave it Houston, we strive to go above and beyond for our customers. We love to say "yes, we can do that!" to our customers. A question we get often is "Can you engrave ___ in color?". Until now we've had to say no.... but not anymore! We can now print in FULL COLOR on your stainless steel tumbler! Its a-mazing.
We use a special UV cured ink that bonds to the material and remains super durable. It will not rub off with use over time.
What is UV Curing?
Ultraviolet curing (commonly known as UV curing) is a photochemical process in which high-intensity ultraviolet light is used to instantly cure or “dry” the ink and facilitate superior bonding.
The ink cures when exposed to the built-in UV light on the printer, creating ultra-durable, vibrant full-color imprints on your stainless steel tumbler!
Can I print in any color?
Yes! Our new printer works similar to your at home inkjet printer. We design the file and the printer makes it happen! Your only limits are that we do not carry metalic or neon inks right now.
Do you have design options I can choose from?
Everything we do is custom. We don't limit you to our design choices. If that much power is too much for you and you like choices, check out our gallery. We can recreate any design for you.
Is it a sticker?
No. A lot of people are marking their cups with vinyl stickers. This is good for temporary marking and with careful use and washing, could potentially last a long while, but it is not permanent. Potential thieves target these cups because its easy to make the personalization "disapear". Our printing is durable with a strong bond to the cup and will last a long time. (take that, thieves!)
Is it Dishwasher safe?
No, its not. Handwash only. Lots of things happen in your dishwasher that are not an issue with handwashing. Heat, steam, extrememe temperature switches will all have their way on your printed design and you'll likely ruin your design. As stated by YETI, RTIC, ORKA and many other Stainless Steel Tumbler brands, the dishwasher will also affect the vaccum seal in your cup - no more temperature controlled perfect beverages! - It is recomended that you hand wash your cup for long time enjoyment.
A More Science-y Explanation
UV curable inks and coatings were first used as a better alternative to solvent-based products. Conventional heat- and air-drying works by solvent evaporation. This process shrinks the initial application of coatings by more than 50% and creates environmental pollutants. In UV curing, there is no solvent to evaporate, no environmental pollutants, no loss of coating thickness, and no loss of volume. This results in higher productivity in less time, with a reduction in waste, energy use and pollutant emissions. ---- Its enviromentally friendly!
So when you're ready, give us a call or send us a request for an order. We'll help you through every step and make it as painless as possible. We always send you a digital proof before we do any permanent work on your cup. That way you can make sure everything is just the way you want it. Let us know how we can help you!
