I. Introduction

Welcome to our UV flatbed printer purchase guide. We are delighted to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of our UV flatbed printers. This guide aims to highlight the differences between various models and sizes, ensuring that you have the necessary knowledge to make an informed decision. Whether you require a compact A3 printer or a large format printer, we are confident that our UV flatbed printers will surpass your expectations.

UV flatbed printers are incredibly versatile machines capable of printing on a wide range of materials, including wood, glass, metal, and plastic. These printers utilize UV-curable inks that dry instantly when exposed to UV light, resulting in vibrant and long-lasting prints. With their flatbed design, they can effortlessly print on both rigid and flexible materials.

In this guide, we will discuss the features and benefits of A3 to large format UV flatbed printers, providing you with valuable insights to help you make the right choice.

When customers approach us, there are a couple of key questions that we ask to ensure we provide them with the best solution:

1. What product do you need to print?
   
   1. Different UV printers are capable of handling various tasks, but certain models excel in specific areas. By understanding the product you intend to print, we can recommend the most suitable printer. For instance, if you need to print on a 20cm high box, you would require a model that supports that print height. Similarly, if you work with soft materials, a printer equipped with a vacuum table would be ideal, as it effectively secures such materials. Additionally, for irregular products that demand curved printing with high drop, the G5i print head machine is the way to go. We also take into account the specific requirements of your products. Printing a jigsaw puzzle is vastly different from printing a golf ball tee, where the latter necessitates a printing tray. Moreover, if you need to print a product measuring 50*70cm, opting for an A3 printer wouldn't be feasible.
2. How many items do you need to print per day?
   
   1. The quantity you need to produce on a daily basis is a crucial factor in selecting the appropriate printer size. If your printing needs are relatively small in volume and involve smaller items, a compact printer would suffice. However, if you have substantial printing demands, such as 1000 pens per day, it would be wise to consider larger machines like A1 or even larger. These machines offer increased productivity and reduce your overall work hours.

By gaining a clear understanding of these two questions, we can effectively determine the most suitable UV printing solution for your specific needs.

II. Model Overview

A. A3 UV Flatbed Printer

Our RB-4030 Pro is the go-to model in the A3 print size category. It offers a print size of 4030cm and a 15cm print height, making it a versatile choice. With a glass bed and support for CMYKW in the single head version and CMYKLcLm+WV in the double head version, this printer has everything you need. Its solid profile ensures its durability for up to 5 years of use. If you primarily print within the 4030cm size range or want a capable and high-quality printer to get familiar with UV printing before investing in a larger format, the RB-4030 Pro is an excellent choice. It has also received positive reviews from many satisfied customers.

B. A2 UV Flatbed Printer

In the A2 print size category, we offer two models: RB-4060 Plus and Nano 7.

The RB-4060 Plus is the larger version of our RB-4030 Pro, sharing the same structure, quality, and design. As a Rainbow CLASSIC model, it features double heads that support CMYKLcLm+WV, providing a wide range of colors for an A2 UV printer. With a print size of 40*60cm and a 15cm print height (8cm for bottles), it is suitable for most printing needs. The printer includes a rotary device with an independent motor for precise cylinder rotation and can use a tapered cylinder device. Its glass bed is smooth, sturdy, and easy to clean. The RB-4060 Plus is highly regarded and has received many positive reviews from satisfied customers.

The Nano 7 is a versatile UV printer with a print size of 50*70cm, offering more space to print multiple products simultaneously, reducing your workload. It boasts an impressive 24cm print height, accommodating various items, including small suitcases and most other products. The metal vacuum bed eliminates the need for tape or alcohol to attach UV DTF film, making it a solid advantage. Additionally, the Nano 7 features double linear guideways, typically found in A1 UV printers, ensuring a longer lifespan and improved printing accuracy. With 3 print heads and support for CMYKLcLm+W+V, the Nano 7 provides faster and more efficient printing. We are currently promoting this machine, and it offers great value for anyone considering an A2 UV flatbed printer or any UV flatbed printer.

C. A1 UV Flatbed Printer

Moving into the A1 print size category, we have two noteworthy models: Nano 9 and RB-10075.

The Nano 9 is Rainbow's flagship 6090 UV flatbed printer, featuring a standard 60*90cm print size, which is larger than the A2 size. It is capable of handling various commercial advertisement tasks, significantly reducing your work time and increasing your profit per hour. With a 16cm print height (extendable to 30cm) and a glass bed that can be changed to a vacuum table, the Nano 9 offers versatility and easy maintenance. It includes double linear guideways, ensuring a solid and stable structure for long-term use. The Nano 9 is highly praised by customers, and it is commonly used by Rainbow Inkjet to print samples for customers and demonstrate the entire printing process. If you are seeking a go-to 6090 UV printer with exceptional quality, the Nano 9 is an excellent choice.

The RB-10075 holds a special place in Rainbow's catalog due to its unique print size of 100*75cm, surpassing the standard A1 size. Initially designed as a customized printer, its popularity grew because of its larger print size. This model shares structural similarities with the much larger RB-1610, making it a step above benchtop printers. It features an advanced design where the platform remains stationary, relying on the carriage and beam to move along the X, Y, and Z axes. This design is typically found in heavy-duty large format UV printers. The RB-10075 has an 8cm print height and supports an internally installed rotary device, eliminating the need for separate installations. Currently, the RB-10075 offers exceptional cost-effectiveness with a significant price drop. Keep in mind that it is a large printer, unable to fit through an 80cm door, and the package size is 5.5CBM. If you have ample space available, the RB-10075 is a powerful choice.

D. A0 UV Flatbed Printer

For the A0 print size, we highly recommend the RB-1610. With a print width of 160cm, it offers faster printing compared to traditional A0 UV printers that come in a 100*160cm print size. The RB-1610 includes several key features: three print heads (supporting XP600, TX800, and I3200 for production speed printing), a 5cm thick solid vacuum table with more than 20 adjustable points for an extremely level platform, and a 24cm print height for universal compatibility with various products. It supports two types of rotary devices, one for mugs and other cylinders (including tapered ones) and another specifically for bottles with handles. Unlike its larger counterpart, the RB-10075, the RB-1610 has a relatively compact body and an economical package size. Additionally, the support can be dismantled to reduce the overall size, providing convenience during transportation and installation.

E. Large Format UV Flatbed Printer

Our large format UV flatbed printer, the RB-2513, is designed to meet and exceed industrial standards. This machine offers a wide array of features: a multiple-section vacuum table with reverse blowing support, a negative pressure ink supply system with a secondary cartridge, a height sensor and anti-bumping device, compatibility with print heads ranging from I3200 to Ricoh G5i, G5, G6, and the ability to accommodate 2-13 print heads. It also incorporates imported cable carriers and THK double linear guideways, ensuring high durability and stability. The quenched heavy-duty frame adds to its robustness. If you are experienced in the printing industry and looking to expand your operations or if you want to start with a large format printer to avoid future upgrade costs, the RB-2513 is an ideal choice. Moreover, compared to similar-sized equipment from Mimaki, Roland, or Canon, the RB-2513 offers remarkable cost-effectiveness.

IV. Key Considerations

A. Print Quality and Resolution

When it comes to print quality, the difference is negligible if you are using the same type of print head. Our Rainbow printers predominantly use the DX8 print head, ensuring consistent print quality across models. The practical resolution reaches up to 1440dpi, with 720dpi generally sufficient for high-quality artwork. All models support the option to change the print head to XP600 or upgrade to i3200. The Nano 9 and larger models offer G5i or G5/G6 industrial options. The G5i print head produces superior results compared to the i3200, TX800, and XP600, offering a longer lifespan and cost-effectiveness. Most of our customers are highly satisfied with DX8 (TX800) head machines, as their print quality is already more than suitable for commercial purposes. However, if you aim for exquisite print quality, have discerning customers, or require high-speed printing, we recommend choosing the i3200 or G5i print head machines.

B. Printing Speed and Productivity

While speed is not the most critical factor for custom printing, the TX800 (DX8) print head is generally sufficient for most applications. If you opt for a machine with three DX8 print heads, it will be adequately fast. The speed ranking is as follows: i3200 > G5i > DX8 ≈ XP600. The number of print heads is crucial, as a machine with three print heads can simultaneously print white, color, and varnish in one pass, whereas machines with one or two print heads require a second run for varnish printing. Furthermore, the varnish result on a three-head machine is generally superior, as more heads provide more nozzles for thicker varnish printing. Machines with three or more print heads can also complete embossing printing faster.

C. Material Compatibility and Thickness

In terms of material compatibility, all our UV flatbed printer models offer the same capabilities. They can print on a wide range of materials. However, the print height determines the maximum thickness of the items that can be printed. For example, the RB-4030 Pro and its brother offer a 15cm print height, while the Nano 7 provides a 24cm print height. The Nano 9 and RB-1610 both have a 24cm print height, and the RB-2513 can be upgraded to support a print height of 30-50cm. Generally, a larger print height allows for printing on irregular items. However, with the advent of UV DTF solutions that can produce stickers applicable to various products, a high print height is not always necessary. Increasing the print height can also impact stability unless the machine has a solid and stable body. If you request an upgrade in print height, the machine body needs upgrading as well to maintain stability, which affects the price.

D. Software Options

Our UV printer machines come with RIP software and control software. The RIP software processes the image file into a format the printer can understand, while the control software manages the printer's operation. Both software options are included with the machine and are genuine products.

III. Conclusion

From the beginner-friendly RB-4030 Pro to the industrial-level RB-2513, our range of UV flatbed printer models caters to different needs and levels of experience. When selecting a printer, key considerations include print quality, speed, material compatibility, and software options. All models offer high print quality due to the use of the same type of print head. Printing speed and material compatibility vary based on your specific project requirements. Furthermore, all models come equipped with RIP software and control software, ensuring efficient operations. We hope this guide has provided you with a comprehensive understanding of UV flatbed printers, assisting you in selecting a model that enhances your productivity, print quality, and overall printing experience. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please feel free to reach out to us.