Ever wonder how some custom promo items, like tumblers, glassware, and cups, have designs wrapped around the entire product? There are a few ways this can be achieved, but one of the most innovative solutions is UV rotary printing technology.

Thanks to the UV rotary printer, you can promote your brand by creating designs that wrap around an entire cylindrical item.

In this blog, we'll dive into what exactly a UV rotary printer is, how it works, its benefits, and some of the most popular products it produces.

What is a UV Rotary Printer?

The UV rotary printer - also known as a "digital cylinder printer" or "cylindrical printer" - allows you to print continuously around glasses, tumblers, bottles, jars, and more. It uses high-speed direct-to-object printing technology and UV-cured inks in white, CMYK, and varnish for a clear, glossy coat. Substrates that it can print on include glass, metal/stainless steel, and plastic.

How Does UV Rotary Printing Work?

The UV rotary printer uses tooling that acts as a jig and is created for each product type. This tooling holds the product in place during printing so it doesn't wobble while rotating in the machine.

Once the items are assembled between their tooling, they move through the machine while rotating to ensure the design is distributed around the entire item.

How the ink is applied to the product varies depending on the desired outcome. For example, for a full-color design on a tumbler, a white layer is first applied, and then the artwork is applied in CMYK. If a glossy finish is desired, a clear varnish is applied over the CMYK ink. Suppose the design requires only some areas to be glossier than others. In that case, the varnish is only applied to specific design elements. This also creates a raised print finish on the areas where the varnish is.

Say you want to print a custom pint glass but want to see the design on the inside and outside (also known as a mirror print). In this case, the initial white layer is skipped, and the CMYK ink is applied directly to the bare glass. For a metallic look on a stainless steel tumbler, you can also skip the white ink layer on the entire tumbler or in just some areas; this allows the metallic look from the stainless steel to come through the colored ink, creating a faux metallic blue, gold, red, and more.

The UV light within the printer instantly cures the ink, ensuring vibrant, durable custom products as soon as they emerge from the machine.

Benefits of The UV Rotary Printer

Many printing technologies allow you to print high-quality custom promo items, such as sublimation and direct-to-film printing. Still, the UV rotary printer is unique because it prints directly onto products, wrapping around the entire thing. Here are just some of the benefits of the UV rotary printer:

Full-Wrap Customization: The rotary printer achieves 360° printing on cylindrical items.

Vibrant, Long-Lasting Prints: UV ink is resistant to fading, scratching, and wear.

Dishwasher Safe: For some products, like glassware and plastic, they are dishwasher safe even after printing.

Works on Various Materials: The machine prints on glass, metal, and plastic.

Quality Finishing Options: The machine offers gloss, matte, faux metallic, raised print, and mirror print.

Eco-Friendly: There are fewer VOCs due to instant curing resulting in less air pollution, and quick drying times of UV inks result in less energy required.

Fast Speeds: UV curing is instant, and the machine can produce two items simultaneously in around 10 seconds.

Popular Products Made with UV Rotary Printing

The UV rotary printer can print on almost any cylindrical item, whether metal, glass, or plastic. Some popular items include:

• Stainless Steel Tumblers
• 16oz Pint Glasses
• Stainless Steel Can Coolers
• Rocks Glasses
• Glass Jars
• Plastic Cups
• Stemless Wine Glasses
• Growlers
• And more!

Whether you need to create custom giveaways for clients, need branded glassware for your restaurant, or have an upcoming event, our UV rotary printer is here to help. If you're interested in the benefits of UV rotary printing, click below to request a quote today.