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Understanding UV/Blacklight PRINTING
How UV PRINTING Work
Our UV printers exclusively use UV inks
We cannot create prints with specific blacklight-reactive areas. We cannot mix regular and UV inks within a single design. Combining a non-glowing background with glowing elements is not feasible.
UV inks are applied uniformly to the entire print and cannot be used selectively
If you want only a specific element to glow under blacklight, it's not possible to isolate the UV ink to that area. The entire print will glow.
Printing with UV inks do not preserve color accuracy
Printing with UV inks alter color - you have to expect color shifts (use our chart . If maintaining precise color accuracy is essential for your project, we recommend using regular inks instead.
Understanding the Difference Between Phosphorescent and Fluorescent
The UV inks we use are fluorescent, meaning they contain pigments that react to blacklight. This means a blacklight is required for the UV-printed product to glow - without it, the product will not emit any glow. Our products are NOT phosphorescent, meaning they do not store light to glow in the dark on their own. Phosphorescent inks absorb light and continue glowing even after the light source is removed, which is not the case with our UV inks.
Using the Color Chart for Reference
Why use the chart?
Our chart provides a side-by-side comparison of colors in digital, daylight, and blacklight conditions, helping you predict how colors will appear when printed with UV inks and exposed to blacklight. The chart also Highlights highly UV-reactive colors (yellow, magenta, lime green) and less reactive colors (blue, purple, gray).
On a rule of thumb, we advise to use the colors in the center of the chart for the best result
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DIGITAL CHART
Shows the RGB colors from the digital file and how they appear on screen
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DAYLIGHT CHART
Displays how the same colors appear in daylight when printed with UV inks
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UNDER BLACKLIGHT CHART
Displays how these colors glow under blacklight
Colors and Their Glow
UV inks are naturally lighter than regular inks
Increasing saturation in your design enhances vibrancy and color intensity.
Pastel colors do not do well under blacklight and will provide a weak glow.
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NON SATURATED
DIGITAL FILE
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SATURATED
DIGITAL FILE
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DAYLIGHT
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DAYLIGHT
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UNDER BLACKLIGHT
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UNDER BLACKLIGHT
What are the most UV-Reactive Colors?
Yellow, magenta, orange, and lime green glow the brightest under blacklight.
A yellow pattern on a black background will glow intensely under UV light.
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DIGITAL FILE
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DAYLIGHT
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UNDER BLACKLIGHT
What are the less UV-Reactive Colors?
Blue, purple, gray, and pastel tones glow less prominently.
Note that white appears blue under blacklight, and colors with higher blue content have the weakest glow.
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DIGITAL FILE
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DAYLIGHT
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UNDER BLACKLIGHT
About White
White under blacklight appears blue, and since our fabrics are optic white, they will still reflect - but the glow will be weak. We also recommend avoiding white or light backgrounds, as they won’t provide enough contrast for the colors to really pop. For the best results, we suggest using a black or dark background.
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DIGITAL FILE
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DAYLIGHT
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UNDER BLACKLIGHT
Color Shift
Color shifting is a natural characteristic of UV inks, and a perfect match to your digital file isn’t possible. Red shifts significantly and will appears orange in daylight. A red heart in your design might look orange during the day but will glow red under UV light. Reviewing our color chart chart helps avoid surprises and ensures predictable results.
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DIGITAL FILE
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DAYLIGHT
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UNDER BLACKLIGHT
The Bluer the Color, the Less it Glows
The amount of blue in a hue directly affects its glow under UV light. For instance, 100% magenta will glow intensely, whereas 80% magenta mixed with 20% blue will have a weaker glow. The more blue present in a hue, the less vibrant its glow will be.
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Minimal-Blue Hue Use
DIGITAL FILE
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Blue-rich hue use
DIGITAL FILE
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DAYLIGHT
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DAYLIGHT
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UNDER BLACKLIGHT
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UNDER BLACKLIGHT
Avoid real life photograph
Real-life photographs do not translate well in UV printing. UV inks produce vivid neon colors, which can result in an unrealistic appearance for your images. Unless this effect is intentional, we recommend avoiding the use of real-life pictures.
TIPS FOR OPTIMAL RESULTS
When creating artwork for UV printing, it’s important to focus on UV-reactive colors rather than trying to make an existing image glow. Not all colors respond well to UV light, so the design needs to be built around UV-reactive colors from the outset.
undersTand the limitations
• Not all colors glow equally
• Regular and UV inks cannot be combined in a single design.
WORK AROUND the limitations
• Enhance Saturation
Increase the vibrancy of colors for stronger effects.
• Avoid Pastel Tones
These produce weak blacklight effects.
• Focus on UV-Reactive Colors
Colors like yellow, magenta, lime green, and orange produce the best glow. Adding lime green accents to a dark design enhances contrast under UV light.
• Use dark backgrounds
Black/dark backgrounds provide the best contrast for UV-reactive designs. In contrast, white/light backgrounds can create a dull effect, giving the overall design a blueish hue with weak contrast when exposed to blacklight.
• Avoid Specific Designs
Stay away from black and white designs, cold-tone dominant palettes, and real life photographs, as these do not respond well to UV light.
• Prepare for Color Shifts
Expect changes in color appearance when using UV inks. Embrace the unique, glowing color transformations for creative results.
• Design Purposefully for UV Printing
Avoid trying to make an existing design glow under UV light. Instead, create or recreate your design specifically with UV-reactive colors and effects in mind. Building your artwork with intention ensures the best results and a vibrant glow.
USE THE COLOR CHART
Use this chart as a reference to understand how your selected colors will appear under blacklight. Example: Check how your purple design will transform when exposed to UV light. Choose Your Colors
Select UV-reactive colors directly from the digital chart for maximum glow. Example: Opt for a yellow-green tone for a striking glow effect. Compare Color Appearances
Review your chosen colors in both daylight (middle chart) and under blacklight (bottom chart). Example: Bold magenta appears slightly lighter in daylight but transforms into a vivid pink under UV light.
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DIGITAL FILE
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DAYLIGHT
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UNDER BLACKLIGHT
Need Assistance?
We’re blacklight experts and passionate about helping your designs shine under UV light.
Let’s make your project glow beautifully!
File Review
Our design team can review your files to ensure UV suitability and help adjust colors if necessary. If your design isn’t UV-friendly as it is, we’ll suggest adjustments to enhance its glow under blacklight.
Receive Expert Feedback
We’ll evaluate your design for UV compatibility and recommend improvements if needed.
Implement our suggestions yourself or let us handle the adjustments for you - at no cost!
If your design isn’t UV-compatible, we’ll guide you through optimizing it to achieve the best results.
