UVⁱ Ink and Printer Safety, by Ray Work
(Sign & Digital Graphics, Feb. 2007)

As more UV curingⁱ inkjet printers come to market, the safety aspects of these new inks and printing systems need to be understood by those considering a purchase. To protect both production workers and print customers, safeguards must be put in place. The major safety issues with UV-curable inks, unlike solventⁱ printers’ flammability and high levels of vapors, are skin irritation, inhalation of reactive materials from the printing and curing process, and eye damage.

To help define the issues, I consulted scientists and engineers at DuPont Imaging Systems. DuPont manufactures UV-curable inks and UV-cure printing systems, and prides itself for being the safest chemical company in the world. For more on this topic, click here.