Go back
https://issuu.com/rockportcustompublishing/docs/digital_output_oct_2025
UV and UV LED curing is utilized to liquid coat printed graphics. The technology brings UV LED cured coatings, notes Nick Howe, GM, Advanced Greig Laminators, Inc. (AGL).
several benefits to the wide format print space, including the ability to efficiently and quickly protect digitally printed output.
Applications that require less expensive UV protection compared to traditional laminates are ideal for “These coatings provide robust resistance against abrasion, chemicals,
UV rays, and graffiti, with proven durability through rigorous testing,” shares Syd Northup, VP of sales, digital U.S., Marabu North America. In addition to protection, Hayes Holzhauer, partner - SheerKote equipment line, AGL, acknowledges that these clear coatings provide desired finishes like gloss or matte to a printed graphic. “If I am being honest, I am shocked that there is not more of this technology in print shops and manufacturers across the nation. It can increase productivity and is easy to integrate in print environments while maintaining a low-cost price point for laminating,” comments Northup.
Digital Output Wide Format Coating Article (October 2025) - by Cassandra Balentine
https://issuu.com/rockportcustompublishing/docs/digital_output_oct_2025
UV and UV LED curing is utilized to liquid coat printed graphics. The technology brings UV LED cured coatings, notes Nick Howe, GM, Advanced Greig Laminators, Inc. (AGL).
several benefits to the wide format print space, including the ability to efficiently and quickly protect digitally printed output.
Applications that require less expensive UV protection compared to traditional laminates are ideal for “These coatings provide robust resistance against abrasion, chemicals,
UV rays, and graffiti, with proven durability through rigorous testing,” shares Syd Northup, VP of sales, digital U.S., Marabu North America. In addition to protection, Hayes Holzhauer, partner - SheerKote equipment line, AGL, acknowledges that these clear coatings provide desired finishes like gloss or matte to a printed graphic. “If I am being honest, I am shocked that there is not more of this technology in print shops and manufacturers across the nation. It can increase productivity and is easy to integrate in print environments while maintaining a low-cost price point for laminating,” comments Northup.
Comparative Benefits
When compared to other finishing techniques, UV coating provides cost savings, energy efficiency, and throughput speeds. “Cost savings bring the cost per square foot for traditional cast laminates from around $0.50 to $0.60 per square foot to $0.05 per square foot,” says Howe.
“When compared to laminate products the cost is significantly lower,” agrees Holzhauer. Some applications have very demanding physical requirements for coating so Holzhauer says they need to be able to achieve high coating flexibility while also providing protection, finish, and Another benefit of LED-based UV curing, the energy efficiency of UV LED lowers the power usage around 90 percent from traditional UV mercury lamps and the lamp lifetime increases from around 1,000 to 30,000 hours.
“The throughput speeds are capable of reaching 50 feet per minute (fpm), which is as fast—if not faster—than current competitors in the marketplace,” explains Howe.
“UV LED is the future in liquid coating as it requires 90 percent less energy, operates at a much lower temperature, provides instant on/off of the UV lamp, and does not require costly ventilation,” states Holzhauer.
Howe anticipates that UV liquid coatings will be the future of the fleet graphics industry given the cost savings. It also minimizes sacrificing throughput speeds and quality.
Northup admits that water-based coating applications can cure quickly via infrared on Marabu’s StarLam liquid laminator. “But it does take 24 hours to fully cross link to media/substrates. With film, you must wait for some inks to outgas before application and it doesn’t leave as smooth of a finish like UV coatings.”
Whether it’s rigid or roll-to-roll substrates, Northup explains that UV-cured coating technology provides extremely fast curing under UV LED or mercury light versus other finishing methods.
Acknowledging Challenges
When it comes to UV LED curing of wide format liquid coating, Howe feels the biggest challenge is consistent thickness and clean output. However, after testing and many trial runs, “AGL has found the key to success,” he shares.
Some applications have very demanding physical requirements for coating so Holzhauer says they need to be able to achieve high coating flexibility while also providing protection, finish, and competitive cost.
Holzhauer adds that creating coatings that are “universal” and can be used on any ink type in the industry are challenging in terms of adhesion.
In terms of investment, Northup admits the cost of ownership is always the biggest challenge for any company looking into this technology. “Pricing ranges between $80,000 to $250,000.”
Wide Format Coaters
Recent advancements to UV and UV LED curing benefit liquid coaters in the wide format digital print space.
Holzhauer says AGL is the first to bring UV LED curing to liquid coating in large format print. “UV LED has been used in the print process for years and AGL recognized the need to design machinery and coatings that would bring UV LED to liquid coating.”
AGL’s SheerKote UV62 is the first of its kind UV LED liquid coater, equipped to handle 18-inch diameter, 1,000 lb rolls of vinyl at 50 fpm roll-to-roll throughput speeds. The instant curing process and low operating temperature of UV LED lamps allows for high throughput speeds while continuously providing a consistent coating thickness, and a warrantied five year durability rating.
Howe points out that AGL uses UV LED lamps, which have a 30 times longer life span than UV mercury lamps. “The energy consumption rate of UV LED lamps also allows for a 90 percent energy cost reduction, and no volatile organic compounds, meaning no ventilation stacks to clear the work area.”
Holzhauer adds that with its UV LED technology, AGL created a premium gloss coating that provides optimal adhesion to HP Latex Gen 3 inks, “which is a big need in our industry.”
Alliance Technology Corporation (ATC) offers the XL UV60-2TS and UV80-2TS liquid coating systems. The XL machines are designed for professional, heavy duty operation, specifically for the flatbed printer market. Available in both 60- and 80-inch effective coating widths, the units provide high speed, dry to dry protective lamination for digital inkjet images printed with various types of inks including UV, solvent, and water based.
The units coat both flexible and rigid substrates up to three inches thick. They feature super-sized rollers to ensure precise, full width, edge-to-edge coating with a speed range from 30 to 110 fpm. All three rollers are motorized for precise coating control. Coating thickness is adjustable from 0.3- to 0.8-mil. The built-in triple liquid delivery system handles two liquids and a cleaning fluid. All three liquids are filtered. The liquid metering roller and bottom roller scraper are pneumatically controlled.
ATC’s UV-curable liquid coatings can be used for a range of applications including business cards, direct mail pieces, wallcoverings, and point of purchase signage. Its extensive range of UV coatings cover all of the applications seen in the digital printing, photographic, and packaging markets today.
Burkle’s UV liquid coating line includes its LFC products—1300, 1600, and 2100. The UV coaters include a drying unit for coating primer and protection lacquers as well as processing full-sized finishings of digital printable media, running through with solvent-free, UV lacquers and direct lacquer curing with UV radiation.The line is suitable for almost all surfaces within digital and screen printing. Key benefits include adjustable UV power for individual coating requirements and an EVG power supply unit.
Future of Coating
There is a lot of potential in terms of UV coating for wide format liquid devices, especially with the debut of UV LED curing.
When compared to other finishing techniques, UV coating provides cost savings, energy efficiency, and throughput speeds. “Cost savings bring the cost per square foot for traditional cast laminates from around $0.50 to $0.60 per square foot to $0.05 per square foot,” says Howe.
“When compared to laminate products the cost is significantly lower,” agrees Holzhauer. Some applications have very demanding physical requirements for coating so Holzhauer says they need to be able to achieve high coating flexibility while also providing protection, finish, and Another benefit of LED-based UV curing, the energy efficiency of UV LED lowers the power usage around 90 percent from traditional UV mercury lamps and the lamp lifetime increases from around 1,000 to 30,000 hours.
“The throughput speeds are capable of reaching 50 feet per minute (fpm), which is as fast—if not faster—than current competitors in the marketplace,” explains Howe.
“UV LED is the future in liquid coating as it requires 90 percent less energy, operates at a much lower temperature, provides instant on/off of the UV lamp, and does not require costly ventilation,” states Holzhauer.
Howe anticipates that UV liquid coatings will be the future of the fleet graphics industry given the cost savings. It also minimizes sacrificing throughput speeds and quality.
Northup admits that water-based coating applications can cure quickly via infrared on Marabu’s StarLam liquid laminator. “But it does take 24 hours to fully cross link to media/substrates. With film, you must wait for some inks to outgas before application and it doesn’t leave as smooth of a finish like UV coatings.”
Whether it’s rigid or roll-to-roll substrates, Northup explains that UV-cured coating technology provides extremely fast curing under UV LED or mercury light versus other finishing methods.
Acknowledging Challenges
When it comes to UV LED curing of wide format liquid coating, Howe feels the biggest challenge is consistent thickness and clean output. However, after testing and many trial runs, “AGL has found the key to success,” he shares.
Some applications have very demanding physical requirements for coating so Holzhauer says they need to be able to achieve high coating flexibility while also providing protection, finish, and competitive cost.
Holzhauer adds that creating coatings that are “universal” and can be used on any ink type in the industry are challenging in terms of adhesion.
In terms of investment, Northup admits the cost of ownership is always the biggest challenge for any company looking into this technology. “Pricing ranges between $80,000 to $250,000.”
Wide Format Coaters
Recent advancements to UV and UV LED curing benefit liquid coaters in the wide format digital print space.
Holzhauer says AGL is the first to bring UV LED curing to liquid coating in large format print. “UV LED has been used in the print process for years and AGL recognized the need to design machinery and coatings that would bring UV LED to liquid coating.”
AGL’s SheerKote UV62 is the first of its kind UV LED liquid coater, equipped to handle 18-inch diameter, 1,000 lb rolls of vinyl at 50 fpm roll-to-roll throughput speeds. The instant curing process and low operating temperature of UV LED lamps allows for high throughput speeds while continuously providing a consistent coating thickness, and a warrantied five year durability rating.
Howe points out that AGL uses UV LED lamps, which have a 30 times longer life span than UV mercury lamps. “The energy consumption rate of UV LED lamps also allows for a 90 percent energy cost reduction, and no volatile organic compounds, meaning no ventilation stacks to clear the work area.”
Holzhauer adds that with its UV LED technology, AGL created a premium gloss coating that provides optimal adhesion to HP Latex Gen 3 inks, “which is a big need in our industry.”
Alliance Technology Corporation (ATC) offers the XL UV60-2TS and UV80-2TS liquid coating systems. The XL machines are designed for professional, heavy duty operation, specifically for the flatbed printer market. Available in both 60- and 80-inch effective coating widths, the units provide high speed, dry to dry protective lamination for digital inkjet images printed with various types of inks including UV, solvent, and water based.
The units coat both flexible and rigid substrates up to three inches thick. They feature super-sized rollers to ensure precise, full width, edge-to-edge coating with a speed range from 30 to 110 fpm. All three rollers are motorized for precise coating control. Coating thickness is adjustable from 0.3- to 0.8-mil. The built-in triple liquid delivery system handles two liquids and a cleaning fluid. All three liquids are filtered. The liquid metering roller and bottom roller scraper are pneumatically controlled.
ATC’s UV-curable liquid coatings can be used for a range of applications including business cards, direct mail pieces, wallcoverings, and point of purchase signage. Its extensive range of UV coatings cover all of the applications seen in the digital printing, photographic, and packaging markets today.
Burkle’s UV liquid coating line includes its LFC products—1300, 1600, and 2100. The UV coaters include a drying unit for coating primer and protection lacquers as well as processing full-sized finishings of digital printable media, running through with solvent-free, UV lacquers and direct lacquer curing with UV radiation.The line is suitable for almost all surfaces within digital and screen printing. Key benefits include adjustable UV power for individual coating requirements and an EVG power supply unit.
Future of Coating
There is a lot of potential in terms of UV coating for wide format liquid devices, especially with the debut of UV LED curing.
Send this blog post to someone:
SUBMIT