Direct UV printing on 300+ materials. Pickup in Huntington, NY.

Reference

Substrate Compatibility Guide

We can print on it. Probably.

A family-by-family breakdown of the substrates UV direct-to-object printing bonds to, plus an honest list of what it does not.

The short version

What is UV printing?

UV printing uses ink that cures instantly under ultraviolet light. A printhead jets the ink directly onto your object and a UV LED lamp cures it in milliseconds. The result is a dry, hard, color-fast print bonded straight to the surface. No transfer film. No heat press. No coating. For the full chemistry, see how UV printing works.

The nine families

What we print on every day

Nine substrate families cover almost everything we print. Each card lists adhesion, primer needs, and the practical notes that matter for your project.

Wood

Oak, maple, walnut, MDF, plywood, bamboo

Adhesion
Excellent
Primer
Not needed
Notes
Stains and finishes affect color vibrancy. Unfinished or lightly sealed wood prints brightest. Heavy gloss lacquer can be lightly scuffed for the strongest bond.

Acrylic

Clear, frosted, colored, mirrored sheets and blocks

Adhesion
Excellent
Primer
Not needed
Notes
White underbase is recommended on clear acrylic for vibrancy. Frosted acrylic shows color beautifully without an underbase. Reverse-print on clear acrylic is one of our most-requested looks.

Glass

Smooth, frosted, etched, tempered, bottles, tiles

Adhesion
Good with prep
Primer
Glass primer recommended for high-wear items
Notes
Frosted and etched glass bonds best. Smooth glass benefits from a glass primer for dishwasher-safe drinkware and outdoor signage.

Metal

Aluminum, stainless steel, anodized, brass, copper

Adhesion
Good
Primer
Required on highly polished surfaces
Notes
Anodized aluminum holds color beautifully without primer. Mirror-polished metal needs a chemical bridge. Brushed finishes sit in between.

Ceramic

Mugs, tiles, plates, vases, ornaments

Adhesion
Excellent on matte and glazed
Primer
Not needed in most cases
Notes
Glossy glazes may benefit from primer for the strongest dishwasher and hand-wash durability. Matte ceramic bonds immediately.

Leather + Faux Leather

Full grain, suede, patent, vegan leather, leatherette

Adhesion
Excellent
Primer
Not needed
Notes
Ideal for hat patches, wallets, journal covers, and accessories. Heavy oil-tanned leather may need a wipe-down first.

Slate + Stone

Slate, marble, granite, sandstone, river rock

Adhesion
Excellent on porous surfaces
Primer
Not needed
Notes
Texture variation gives every piece a unique result. Smooth-polished stone may benefit from primer for the strongest long-term bond.

Plastic + ABS

Hard plastics, polycarbonate, ABS, PVC, phone cases

Adhesion
Good
Primer
Required on smooth and polished plastic
Notes
Avoid silicone-coated surfaces. Polyethylene and polypropylene are very low surface energy and resist almost every ink.

Cork, Cardstock, Canvas, Foamboard

Cork sheets, thick cardstock, stretched canvas, foamboard, packaging

Adhesion
Excellent
Primer
Not needed
Notes
Not waterproof unless sealed. Great for trade-show signage, packaging, and short-run art prints.

The honest list

What we cannot print on

UV is a great tool, but it is not the right tool for every job. Here is where it falls short and what to do instead.

Soft fabrics

T-shirts, hoodies, towels. UV ink is too rigid for stretchy fabric and will crack under flex.

Use DTF instead at longislanddtfprinting.com

Highly flexible silicone

Silicone has very low surface energy. UV ink will not bond.

Oily or waxed surfaces

Surface oils and waxes prevent any adhesion. Untreated polyethylene and polypropylene fall into this group.

Anything outside our printer's reach

Flat items larger than 13 by 16.5 inches, anything taller than 2.36 inches, or rotary items outside the 2 inch to 4 inch diameter range and 13 inch max length.

Not sure which one fits?

Need help choosing?

Send us a photo of your project or describe the material. We will tell you whether UV is the right call, what to expect, and what primer (if any) we recommend. Honest answers, no upsell.