UV inkjet varnish looks similar, once finished, to clear coatings, liquid lamination and lacquer.
Precise application only where needed.
Can create spot gloss, matt, textured or raised effects (subject to printhead capabilities).
No additional finishing equipment required.
Usually applied at the same time as printing. Also good for decorative graphics and retail displays.
Usually a very low coat weight.
Limited protection against abrasion.
Limited chemical resistance.
Can crack on highly flexible curtain-side materials.
Expensive coating chemistry.
Not designed primarily for heavy-duty transport applications.
5–15 microns.
Indoor graphics.
Retail displays.
Decorative vehicle graphics.
A UV-curable acrylic coating applied by roller, spray, curtain coater or flood coating system, and cured using UV lamps.
Applied by roller, spray, gravure, flexo or other coating systems, and dried using ambient or warm air.
Excellent flexibility.
Better elongation characteristics.
Less cracking on folding curtains.
Lower VOC emissions.
Lower energy consumption.
Easier to formulate with anti-graffiti and anti-microbial additives.
Better sustainability profile.
Easier handling and storage.
Longer drying times than UV.
Slightly lower initial hardness.
May require multiple coats for maximum protection.
5–30 microns.
Truck curtains.
Tensioned fabrics.
Banners.
Flexible PVC.
Textile graphics.
Truck curtains are subject to:
Constant flexing.
Folding.
Wind loading.
UV exposure.
Road salt.
Fuel splashes.
Cleaning chemicals.
Abrasion from straps and buckles.
For these reasons, flexibility is often more important than ultimate hardness.
| Property | Inkjet varnish | UV coating | Water-based coating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | Fair | Moderate | Excellent |
| Abrasion resistance | Fair | Very good | Good to very good |
| UV resistance | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Chemical resistance | Fair | Excellent | Good |
| Crack resistance | Poor | Moderate | Excellent |
| Sustainability | Moderate | Poor | Excellent |
| Repairability | Difficult | Difficult | Easier |
| Cost per m² | High | Medium | Low to medium |
| Suitability for truck curtains | Fair | Good | Excellent |
Many fleet graphics suppliers and curtain manufacturers favour flexible acrylic coatings because they:
Move with the PVC fabric.
Resist cracking around folds.
Maintain image quality for longer.
Reduce the risk of coating failure.
Have a lower environmental footprint.
For digitally printed UV or latex truck curtains, a properly formulated water-based acrylic protective coating often provides the best balance of:
Durability
Flexibility
Weather resistance
Washability
Sustainability
Cost
This is one reason why specialist systems such as water-based acrylic protective coatings are increasingly used as an alternative to traditional UV varnishes where long-term curtain flexibility is critical.
