UV Printing on Leather & Foil Stamping Tutorial

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Achieving intricate patterns on leather goods has traditionally been hindered by high costs, lengthy production times, and design limitations when using conventional embroidery or heat transfer methods. Today, UV Printing on leather with UV stamping offers a fast, precise solution for high-end customization. Whether applied to luggage, footwear, handbags, or gift packaging, this technique effortlessly delivers premium value-added effects.

How to finish UV Printing on Leather and Leather UV stamping

Step 1: Layer Design
In design software, separate the color printing area from the UV stamping area to prepare for subsequent operations.
Determine pattern details and custom UV Stamp effect types (e.g., gold, silver, or holographic).
Step 2: UV Color Printing
Print the color pattern onto the leather surface using a 6090 Flatbed UV Printer.
UV ink cures instantly, ensuring sharp patterns and vibrant colors while preserving the leather’s natural texture.
Step 3: Spot UV Coating
Print a UV varnish layer over the UV Light Stamp areas to create an adhesive base for the foil transfer.
Step 4: foil stamping Transfer
Place foil stamping transfer film over the varnished areas.
Apply heat to approximately 70°C using a heat press under appropriate humidity conditions to complete the foil transfer.
Achieve diverse foil colors and effects, including gold, silver, and multicolor holographic foils.
Post-transfer edges appear sharp with secure adhesion.
Step 5: Post-Processing Reinforcement
Optionally apply a protective film or perform a re-pressing treatment to enhance abrasion resistance and durability.

uv printing on leather for logo

UV Printing on Leather: Process and Printing Workflow

UV Print on leather is primarily divided into two process flows based on the leather’s base color: direct UV printing on white/light-colored leather and direct uv inkjet printer on dark-colored leather. The printing steps differ slightly for each base color to ensure optimal color reproduction and durability of the patterns.

Direct UV Printing Process for White (Light-Colored) Leather

White or light-colored leather surfaces offer high color fidelity for patterns, allowing direct full-color printing.

UV Printing on leather process is as follows:

Leather Fixation and Surface Preparation
Secure the white leather flat on the head uv printer 6090 work surface, ensuring it is clean and free of dust or grease.

Direct Color Pattern Printing
Use the uv 6090 printer to print the full-color pattern directly onto the white leather surface without requiring a white ink base layer.

Varnish Reinforcement (Optional)
If the customer requires higher abrasion resistance, adhesion, or longevity for the design, after completing the color printing.

Apply an additional layer of varnish using the uv prints.

To enhance the design’s scratch resistance, wear resistance, and overall durability.

Dark Leather UV Direct-to-Leather Printing Process

The printing process is as follows:

Leather Fixation and Positioning
Secure the dark leather onto the UV printing services platform, adjusting print height and positioning.

White Ink Base Layer
Apply a layer of UV white ink across the designated printing area to enhance color vibrancy for subsequent patterns.

Color Pattern uv sticker printer
Print the color pattern over the white base layer to achieve vibrant hues and clear tonal gradation.

Varnish Reinforcement (Optional)
For customers requiring enhanced pattern durability and longevity.

Apply a layer of UV varnish after pattern printing.

To significantly improve abrasion resistance and service life.

UV DTF on Leather: Cold Transfer Printing Process for Soft Materials

UV DTF on leather (UV Digital Cold Transfer Labels) is a specialized cold transfer printing solution designed for leather and other soft materials. It is currently widely used in the customization industries for footwear, bags, wallets, and various leather goods.

This process uses a UV printer to print designs onto specialized cold transfer film (AB film), which can then be easily applied to leather surfaces without high temperatures or heat pressing. It is particularly suitable for personalized customization on soft materials.

Application Features of UV Digital Cold Iron-On Transfers on Leather

UV digital cold iron-on labels utilize a cold transfer method, enabling direct application to various leather materials, including:

Upper leather
Bag leather
Wallet leather
PU leather, synthetic leather, and certain genuine leathers

The operation is straightforward: simply align, press, and peel the film to customize patterns on leather surfaces. This method is highly suitable for logos, small designs, and brand identifiers.

Printing and Transfer Process for UV DTF on Leather

The complete workflow is as follows:

UV Printing of Design
Print the design onto AB cold transfer film using a UV printer. The design structure typically includes:

  • Color inks
  • White ink
  • Varnish

Utilize the specialized AB film structure:

  • Base film (A film): Features an adhesive layer with unique properties and high flexibility

Top Film (B-Film): Used for pattern transfer and protection

Cold Transfer onto Leather Surface

Peel off the base film and apply the patterned side onto the leather

Press firmly back and forth several times with fingers or a soft squeegee to enhance adhesion

Peel off the Top Protective Film

Gently peel off the topmost layer

The pattern remains intact on the leather surface, completing the cold transfer application

Common Issues and Solutions for Leather UV Printer: Preventing Cracking

When Leather UV Printer or soft materials, especially during autumn and winter, issues like cracking, peeling, or white lines appearing at bends may occur. The primary causes and solutions are as follows:
Inappropriate Ink Type
Standard rigid UV inks cannot accommodate the flexibility and stretch characteristics of leather.
Solution: Use specialized UV flexible inks or latex inks to ensure pattern integrity during bending, stretching, or thermal testing.
Environmental Factors
Excessively low indoor temperatures and insufficient humidity accelerate cracking.
Recommend maintaining a printing environment of 20–28°C (68–82°F) with 55%–65% humidity to ensure uniform ink curing.
Equipment Curing Parameters
Excessive or insufficient curing lamp power compromises ink adhesion and flexibility.
Adjust lamp power based on leather material and ink properties to achieve stretchable prints.
Material Selection
Soft, stretchable leather (e.g., TPU leather) printed with UV flexible ink can withstand bending and rubbing without cracking.
Key Tips Summary:
Select specialized UV flexible ink or latex ink
Control printing environment temperature and humidity
Adjust UV curing lamp power
Optimize printing solutions based on leather characteristics

Advantages of UV Flatbed Printing

High-Precision Patterns: Capable of printing on diverse materials including silk loops, tech fabric, PU leather, and PVC foam—all handled by a single machine.
Flexible Production: No minimum order quantity required—print as few as one piece. Patterns can be changed freely, making it ideal for small-batch customization.
Rich Colors & Natural Gradients: Overcomes the color limitations of traditional embroidery and heat transfer printing.
Preserves Material Texture: Retains the authentic feel of leather while adding a three-dimensional texture and premium visual appeal.

leather uv printer for image

UV Flatbed Printing Special Effects and Innovative Possibilities

White Ink Printing Capability:
· This is one of UV printing’s “ace features.” It allows printing a white base layer on dark or transparent materials before applying color patterns, ensuring vibrant and saturated hues. It can also be used for spot colors and raised effects.

  1. Varnish Effects:
    · After printing, transparent varnish can be applied selectively or across the entire surface using the same equipment. This achieves specialized finishes like spot gloss, matte, or textured effects (e.g., frosted), elevating product quality and tactile appeal.
  2. 3D Relief Effects:
    · By layering white ink or varnish, tactile relief effects can be created. These produce visually striking and physically engaging three-dimensional embossed finishes.

Typical Application Scenarios

Customized leather floor mats, diatomaceous earth water-absorbing mats
Corporate logo or holiday-themed customization
Premium gifts, home decor, or exclusive designs for commercial events

Summary

Leather UV Printing combined with UV stamping breaks through the limitations of traditional printing and embroidery, offering advantages such as high precision, rich colors, three-dimensional realism, and flexible production. Using the UV Printing Leather, achieving both color printing and foil stamping effects is effortless, meeting high-end application demands for small batches or single-item customization. Simultaneously, selecting the right soft ink, controlling temperature and humidity, and optimizing curing parameters effectively prevent leather cracking and peeling, ensuring patterns remain durable and visually appealing.

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