UV printing is a relatively young and highly dynamic technology fully transforming the printing industry, enabling the use of ultraviolet light to dry inks. This drying technology allows for almost instant drying of the inks, dramatically accelerating the whole printing process. Still, drying is not an ultimate benefit, considering a more vivid, long-lasting, and durable quality of the print. If you wanted to invest in UV printing, or as print shop owners and operators, besides reading the UV printing guide, a profound understanding of the costs related to the process is not just useful but vital for proper business performance and strategic planning. This guide will focus on various cost aspects that have tangible implications on your firm’s performance.

1. How Much Does UV printing Cost? Guide, Breakdown & Examples

2. Utilizing ultraviolet light to dry inks, UV printing is a relatively new and extremely dynamic technique that is
completely revolutionizing the printing business. This drying method speeds up the printing process
significantly by enabling nearly instantaneous ink drying. However, when taking into account the print's
increased vibrancy, longevity, and durability, drying is not the greatest advantage.
In addition to reading the UV printing guide, if you were interested in investing in UV printing or are the owner
or operator of a print shop, you should have a thorough awareness of the associated costs since this is
essential for effective business operations and strategic planning. This tutorial will concentrate on a number of
cost factors that directly affect the operation of your business.
How much does UV printing cost?
4 key factors to consider to calculate UV printing cost
Ink costs
UV printer and maintenance costs
Electricity costs
Labor costs
Real Examples: calculate UV printing costs with breakdown
Cost of UV printing on phone case
Cost of UV printing on wood panel

3. How Much Does UV Printing Cost?
Since wood, acrylic, cylinder glass, canvas, and other materials and surfaces can all be printed on with UV
technology, the cost of UV printing typically ranges from $1.25 to $1.44 per square meter, or $12.5 to $14.4
per square foot. Given the wide range of goods and uses for UV printing, here are two actual examples: a
printed phone cover and a printed wood panel.
Calculate UV Printing Cost: 4 Key Factors
The four basic components that make up the cost of UV printing are ink, labor, power, and UV printer
maintenance. The information below takes into account the overall cost of UV printing and suggests a number
of important factors that significantly affect the final cost.
Ink Costs
UV printing inks are not only a consumable but also a massive cost item. The ink quality and type you utilize
will significantly affect the expense and result of your printed items. UV inks cost from $50 to $80 per liter. For
our computations we will use an average of $65 per liter. This ink covers 100 square meters of print for ink
only from $40 to $60 depending on the printer’s efficiency and the complexity of the print. Thus, we obtain
that:

4. Example Calculation:
Ink is used at a normal cost of $0.65 per square if a liter of ink costs $65 and covers 100 squares. When
determining prices for consumables, supplies for exact projects, or computed ink costs for standard work
procedures, it matters to us.
UV Printer Price and Maintenance Costs
When you take into account the total cost of ownership, a UV printer might start at a relatively expensive
price—between $4000 and $40000. The price varies greatly depending on the model and integrated
technology capabilities. Thankfully, several top manufacturers provide UV printers at affordable prices for
individuals starting their own printing business or running a small to medium-sized enterprise.
However, you must budget for more than just the cost of a UV printer. Maintenance is an ongoing expense that
includes things like routine cleanings and the need to repair elements like the print head and UV lamp—i.e.,
parts that are essential to your device's functioning. Take a look at this maintenance cost example:
Example Calculation:
Typically, a simple cleaning of two print heads requires four milliliters of ink per head. The cost of maintenance
ink added up to $0.52 per square meter printed if one liter of ink costs $65 and your printer requires cleaning
every two prints per square meter on average.

5. Electricity Costs
Because the UV printer employs UV light to "cure" the color instantaneously, this treatment is related to the
preceding one. The most recent and well-known UV printer, the STAR V 6090, uses 800 watts of power per
hour. Its need for electricity should, of course, increase when the ink is applied. Therefore, the only thing that
can decide on the right expenses is a component like the cost of power.
Electricity Calculation Example:
For example, based on the $0.1621 cost of a kilowatt-hour, one can compute the $0.12968 cost of printing an
hour using an 800-watt printer. A UV printer can cover two square meters in an hour at a cost of $0.0648411
per square hour of power.
Labor Costs
On the other hand, because labor expenses are based on the pay of the individuals using the printer, they
make large purchases easier. One person operating the machine results in significantly lower labor costs per
square meter or printed item, making labor the most significant variable cost. Even though a printing operator
can operate the machine rather well for fifteen dollars an hour, it is important to ascertain the precise labor
cost:

6. Labor Cost Example:
The labor cost per square meter, which is determined by dividing the entire daily wage by the total output, is
$0.24 if one operator is able to supervise the printing of 500 square meters in an 8-hour shift.
Real Examples: Calculate UV Printing Costs with Breakdowns
Here are the specifics and a breakdown of the cost calculation for two of the most common UV printing
applications: printing on wood panels and mobile phone cases.
Printing on a Mobile Phone Case
Mobile phone cases are among the more popular products made with UV printers; they are renowned for
their quick production and personalized patterns. Based on the previously listed variables, the cost of printing
a phone cover is around $0.0443 per case. The breakdown is as follows:
Ink Costs:
Assuming the phone case covers 0.02 square meters and ink costs $0.65 per square meter, the ink cost for
one case is $0.013.

7. Electricity Costs:
One phone cover will cost $0.0013 in power if the printer produces 500 of them in an hour at a cost of
$0.06484 per square meter.
Labor Costs:
The labor cost per case, with an operator handling 500 cases per hour at $15 per hour, is $0.03.
Total Cost Per Case:
Adding up the costs, we have:
Ink: $0.013
Electricity: $0.0013
Labor: $0.03
Total: $0.0443 per case
This illustration shows how inexpensive UV printing can be for little objects. It can be created fast and at a
cheap cost per unit, which makes it a desirable choice for companies that specialize in personalized goods.

8. Large-scale Printing on Wood Panels
Let's now look at a more complicated and large-scale project: UV printing on wood panels. These panels are
commonly used in signage and interior design, and they cost roughly $16.36 per panel. The breakdowns are
as follows:
Project Specifications:
Every wood panel is two square meters in size.
Ink Costs:
If ink costs $0.65 per square meter, then for a 2 square meter panel, the cost is $1.3.
Electricity Costs:
The electricity cost per panel is $0.06484, assuming the printer prints two square meters per hour, which is
indicative of the slower speed required for high-quality prints on wood.

9. Labor Costs:
The labor cost per panel is directly $15 if an operator can print on one panel in an hour at a pay of $15.
Total Cost Per Panel:
When we total the expenses, we get:
– Ink: $1.3
– Electricity: $0.06484
– Labor: $15
– Total: $16.36484 per panel
This example shows that even though larger items have far higher unit costs, the value given by large-scale
bespoke prints justifies the cost, particularly in high-margin areas such as custom interiors and signage.

10. Additional Considerations
In addition to the thorough examination of the principal expenses, there are additional costs or depreciation
events to take into account, such as the price of a UV printer, space rental fees, software licensing, etc. It is
important to note that these factors also go into the overall cost structure of an operation; however, as they are
typically spread across multiple operations, their impact per item or per square meter is not very great.
Conclusion
A print shop owner must keep up to date on all the inputs, such as labor, supplies, maintenance, and overhead,
in order to calculate the exact cost of producing a printed item utilizing UV printing. As demonstrated by the
aforementioned example, it enables a prompt and methodical approach to the creation of a pricing plan,
assisting in the preservation of the operation's financial equilibrium while enhancing profitability.
Are you interested in learning more specific details about what UV printing would cost for your business
projects? Having stated that, this is your playing field whether you want to maximize your current business or
you want to enter this new market. Similarly, don't hesitate to arrange a professional consultation and use our
guidance as a starting point to help you make these important business decisions for your UV printing
company.

11. If you need more details about UV printers, you can contact us：
Email：windy@subli-star.com