Nanographic vs UV Printing: Breaking Down the Latest Advancements

The printing industry is witnessing a technological showdown between two advanced processes: nanographic and UV printing. Both offer distinct advantages for commercial and industrial applications, but their fundamental differences are reshaping production workflows across sectors. Here's a technical comparison of these cutting-edge technologies.

Core Technology Differences

Nanographic Printing

• Uses water-based nano-pigment inks (particles <500nm)

• Deposits ink on a blanket before transferring to substrate

• Heat-assisted drying (60-80°C) rather than curing

• Developed by Landa Digital Printing

UV Printing

• Employs 100% solid UV-curable inks

• Prints directly onto substrates

• Instant photopolymerization under UV/LED light

• Multiple manufacturers (HP, Durst, Roland, etc.)

Print Quality & Resolution

Nanography excels in halftone smoothness, while UV leads in opacity and special effects.

Material Compatibility

Nanographic Advantages:

• Superior performance on offset stocks and porous materials

• No pretreatment needed for paper-based substrates

• Excellent ink adhesion on challenging recycled papers

UV Printing Advantages:

• Prints on non-porous materials (glass, metal, plastic)

• Handles 3D objects up to several inches thick

• No substrate absorption requirements

Production Speed & Scalability

Throughput Comparison:

• Nanographic: 6,500 B1 sheets/hour (Landa S10)

• UV Roll-to-Roll: Up to 150 m/min (Durst Rho)

• UV Flatbed: 200-300 m²/hr (swissQprint)

UV dominates in industrial applications, while nanography targets high-volume commercial print.

Economic Considerations

Cost Factors

Sustainability Profile

Nanographic:

• Water-based ink system

• Lower VOC emissions

• Recyclable prints

UV Printing:

• 100% solids (no evaporation waste)

• Energy-efficient LED curing options

• Longer print lifespan reduces replacement

Emerging Applications

Nanography Growing In:

• High-volume packaging

• Commercial publishing

• Folding carton production

UV Printing Expanding Into:

• Functional electronics printing

• Automotive interior decoration

• Architectural surface design

Future Development Trends

Nanographic:

• Particle size reduction to <200nm

• Increased ink viscosity for better control

• Expanded substrate range

UV Printing:

• Hybrid 3D/texturing capabilities

• Water-based UV ink formulations

• AI-driven color management

Industry analysts project nanography to capture 15% of commercial print by 2028, while UV continues dominating industrial applications with 12% annual growth.

The choice between these technologies ultimately depends on application requirements. Nanography brings offset-quality reproduction to digital workflows, while UV printing delivers unmatched versatility across industrial materials. As both continue advancing, they're pushing the boundaries of what's possible in digital printing.