UVgel
One technology. No compromise.
About UVgel
Canon UVgel technology comprises several specially-developed elements that combine to achieve a process that retains the advantages of prevailing printer technologies, while eliminating many of the compromises.
The key to Canon UVgel technology is the fact that the ink is essentially a gel, developed according to UV curing principles. The simplified stages of the Canon UVgel printing process are as follows:
- Inside the printheads, Canon UVgel ink is heated and turns from gel into liquid.
- The temperate controlled platen maintains the substrate at a constant 28oC temperature regardless of environmental factors.
- On contact with the media, the liquefied ink drops return immediately to their gel state.
- In their gel state, the ink droplets are ‘pinned’ instantly to the media, assisted by a partial LED ‘precure’ process.
- Full LED curing takes place at a later stage, after the image swathe is completely formed and gelled on the media.
Prevents coalescence
- The solidified state of the pinned gel dot prevents coalescence (merging) between individual ink drops, delivering optimal control over the dot to prevent spread (dot gain).
LED curing
- Because LED curing is performed later than with existing technologies, images have a more uniform, smoother surface.
Instant dry
- Prints are instantly dry, requiring no evaporative drying process.
