1612 UV Flatbed Printer: The Versatile Workhorse for Unlimited Substrate Printing
In the competitive world of industrial and commercial printing, versatility, precision, and efficiency are the keys to business growth. The 1612 UV flatbed printer—with its generous 1600mm × 1200mm (approx. 63″ × 47″) printing area—delivers exactly that. It is the “sweet spot” size that fits perfectly into workshops worldwide, offering an unmatched combination of large-format capability, material versatility, and production efficiency without the massive footprint of larger industrial systems.
Whether you’re in signage, interior décor, packaging, or custom manufacturing, the 1612 UV printer empowers you to print on virtually any flat material—from glass and metal to wood and acrylic—with photographic quality and instant curing. Here’s why this machine is becoming the go-to choice for businesses across the globe.
What is a 1612 UV Flatbed Printer?
The 1612 is a large-format flatbed printer that uses UV-curable inks to print directly onto rigid and flexible substrates. Its name reflects its maximum print area: 1600mm in width and 1200mm in depth . This size is ideal for standard 4×8 foot sheets, which are commonly used worldwide in signage, construction, and manufacturing industries .
Unlike traditional printing methods, the 1612 uses a digital “print-on-demand” process—no plates, no screens, no lengthy setup . You simply load your design into the computer, place your material on the flatbed, and print. This drastically reduces setup time, material waste, and the high costs associated with traditional plate production.
Key Specifications at a Glance
Parameter Typical Specification
Print Area 1600mm × 1200mm (63″ × 47″)
Print Height 0–100mm (customizable up to 150–300mm)
Print Heads Ricoh G5i/G6, Epson i3200, or Toshiba (2–9 heads configurable)
Resolution Up to 1800–2400 dpi
Ink Colors CMYK + White + Varnish (LC/LM optional)
Print Speed 5–34 m²/hour (depending on pass mode and head count)
Machine Weight 600–1390 kg (depending on configuration)
Why Choose a 1612 UV Printer?
- Print on Virtually Any Material
This is the core strength of the 1612. Its flatbed design allows for direct printing on an astonishing range of substrates :
· Rigid materials: Glass, ceramic tiles, metal, aluminum composite, acrylic, wood, MDF, PVC foam board, stone, and composite panels.
· Flexible materials: Leather, canvas, synthetic paper, thin films (with vacuum table).
· Specialty items: Phone cases, keychains, badges, toys, cosmetic packaging, and electronic components .
This versatility means you can accept almost any customer request—from a single personalized glass panel to a bulk order of branded acrylic displays—all from one machine.
- Exceptional Print Quality with Special Effects
Modern 1612 models deliver stunning image quality, with high resolutions and advanced ink configurations :
· Vibrant, photo-realistic colors – Wide color gamut with smooth gradients and fine details.
· White ink – Print bright, opaque white on dark or transparent substrates.
· Varnish / Gloss effects – Add glossy, matte, or 3D relief textures for tactile impact.
· CMYK + White + Varnish simultaneous printing – Achieve dimensional embossing and high-gloss effects in a single pass .
- Instant UV Curing – Ready to Use Immediately
UV inks are cured instantly by built-in LED lamps as soon as they are printed. Benefits include :
· Immediate finishing – Cut, laminate, or ship prints right off the table.
· Exceptional durability – Scratch-resistant, waterproof, and UV-resistant for long-lasting indoor and outdoor use.
· Energy efficiency – LED lamps consume less power, generate minimal heat, and last over 10,000 hours with no ozone emissions.
- High-Efficiency Production for Growing Businesses
The 1612 is engineered for reliability and efficiency :
· Robust steel frame – Ensures stability and precision even with heavy substrates.
· High-speed printing – Choose from 4PASS (draft), 6PASS (standard), or 8PASS (high-quality) modes to balance speed and detail .
· User-friendly interface – Intuitive controls for fast job setup and monitoring.
· Low maintenance – Auto-circulation ink systems prevent clogging; user-replaceable parts reduce downtime.
- The “Visual Positioning” Game-Changer
One of the most significant innovations in recent 1612 models is the visual positioning system (also called CCD or camera-based alignment) . This technology completely revolutionizes how you print on irregular or pre-cut items:
Traditional UV Printing Visual Positioning 1612
Requires manual alignment or custom jigs/fixtures Free placement – materials can be placed randomly on the platform
Time-consuming setup for each new job Automatic recognition – the camera scans the material and matches it to your design automatically
High error rates on irregular shapes 0.1mm precision – aligns even deformed or irregular workpieces with near 100% accuracy
Labor-intensive, slow order switching Saves 70%+ setup time – perfect for small-batch, diversified orders
This feature is especially valuable for businesses printing on irregular crafts, pre-cut accessories, or products that vary slightly in shape—such as badges, keychains, and promotional items.
Key Applications Across Industries
Industry Typical Applications
Signage & Graphics Indoor/outdoor signs, POP displays, exhibition graphics, window displays, acrylic signage
Interior Décor Decorative glass panels, ceramic tiles, wall panels, custom furniture, wood flooring
Advertising & Retail Banners, backlit displays, promotional stands, retail décor
Packaging Custom gift boxes, cosmetic packaging, cartons, sample books
Gifts & Crafts Personalized phone cases, keychains, badges, USB drives, toys, leather goods
Industrial Manufacturing Electronic panels, nameplates, control labels, component markings
Choosing the Right 1612 Configuration
When selecting your 1612 UV printer, consider these key factors:
Factor What to Look For
Print Head Ricoh G5i/G6 or Epson i3200 – balance of speed, precision, and durability
Head Count 2–9 heads – more heads = higher speed, but higher cost
Ink Configuration CMYK + White + Varnish – essential for dark/transparent materials and special effects
Visual Positioning Highly recommended for irregular items, small-batch production, and quick job switching
Material Thickness Standard 100mm is sufficient for most applications; custom heights up to 300mm available
Vacuum Table Multi-zone suction for holding thin/flexible materials flat
Supplier Reliability On-time delivery ≥ 90%, response time ≤ 8 hours, spare parts availability, and training support
Conclusion: The Versatile Workhorse for Your Business
The 1612 UV flatbed printer is more than just a printing machine—it is a business growth engine. It allows you to:
· Expand your product portfolio – print on glass, wood, metal, acrylic, leather, and countless other materials.
· Deliver exceptional quality – photo-realistic images with white ink and 3D varnish effects that wow clients.
· Reduce costs – eliminate plates, screens, and outsourcing while minimizing waste.
· Handle any order size – from one-off custom items to high-volume production.
· Simplify complex jobs – with visual positioning, even irregular items print with 0.1mm precision.
The 1612 is the perfect balance of size, capability, and affordability—making it the ideal choice for print shops, manufacturers, designers, and entrepreneurs worldwide.
Ready to unlock unlimited printing possibilities? Explore 1612 UV solutions today and discover how this versatile workhorse can transform your business.
