Canal Plastics Center provides in-house UV printing directly onto acrylic and select rigid plastics from our SoHo shop in New York City. We work with designers, studios, brands, and fabricators who need durable graphics, precise placement, and clean results on parts and panels.
UV printing uses UV-cured inks to print directly onto the material, making it ideal for signage, displays, branded components, and specialty projects where graphics are part of the object, not an afterthought. Most projects, including laser cutting and UV printing combinations, are completed within 2–3 business days. Expedited service is available based on scope and material.
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Direct-to-material UV printing — no films, decals, or transfers
White ink and reverse print for clear, colored, and mirrored acrylic
Laser cutting and UV printing completed in the same shop
Built for short runs, prototypes, and repeat production parts
SoHo-based production with pickup or nationwide shipping
60+ years of plastics and fabrication expertise
UV printing at CPC is built around fabrication, not mass-production signage. We focus on alignment accuracy, material compatibility, and seamless integration with cut and fabricated components. When your project involves laser-cut parts, tight registration, or specialty plastics, the print and the object are produced together — under one roof.
We focus on UV printing on rigid plastics commonly used in design, display, and fabrication work:
We also offer UV printing on select cylindrical acrylic forms, including tubes and solid rods 1″ diameter and larger. This capability is well-suited for branded display components, sculptural elements, and specialty fabrication projects. Because printing on curved surfaces requires careful setup and controlled artwork placement, feasibility is reviewed case-by-case.
If you’re unsure whether a material or form is suitable, send the material type, dimensions, and artwork and we’ll advise. Email sales@cpcnyc.com.
Recent UV printing projects at Canal Plastics Center include:
UV printing is often used alongside raised lettering and tactile signage for wayfinding, room identification, and accessibility applications. We support projects that combine cut acrylic letters, dimensional elements, and UV-printed graphics as one fabrication workflow.
Common applications include:
Submit your artwork along with material type, finished size, quantity, and deadline using our form or by email.
We review your files, confirm print setup (including white ink or varnish layers), and provide pricing and estimated turnaround. For complex jobs, we may confirm a proof or placement notes before production.
Your parts are printed in-house using UV-cured inks for durability and sharp detail.
Pick up from our SoHo location, or arrange shipment to your studio, office, or installation site.
Good files help ensure clean prints and accurate results. Whenever possible, submit final, print-ready artwork, especially for layered designs, transparency, special effects, or multiple variations.
Recommended file types: Print-ready PDF, AI, or Photoshop PSD (final). High-res PNG/TIFF accepted for select jobs.
Note: Files that require layout correction, cleanup, reconstruction, or re-building may require additional processing time.
UV printers output ink as microscopic dots. Even if your artwork begins as vector, the RIP software converts it to a printable bitmap. If you need true path-driven output (vector toolpaths), laser cutting, CNC routing, or engraving are the right processes.
If your design cannot be cropped or stretched, your file must match the finished print area exactly. Keep in mind that cut-to-size parts (or fabricated parts) can have small real-world tolerances, so positioning and margins matter. If alignment is critical, tell us what “critical” means and we’ll help set the print safe area.
If you’re unsure how to set up white ink or layered files, send what you have. Our team can often guide you to the cleanest approach.
Many projects combine UV printing with additional fabrication services. We regularly support workflows that include:
If your project involves multiple operations, mention it upfront so we can plan the full workflow.
What is the maximum size you can UV print?
Our UV printer is optimized for small to mid-size panels and parts, with a maximum single-panel print area of approximately 24 × 36 inches. Larger graphics may be produced in sections when appropriate.
Can you print on clear acrylic?
Yes. We regularly print on clear acrylic using white ink to achieve opacity, contrast, or layered effects.
Can you UV print on round or curved acrylic parts?
Yes. We can print on select cylindrical acrylic tubes and rods, typically 2″ diameter and larger. Artwork placement and coverage depend on part geometry, so feasibility is reviewed per project.
Is UV printing durable?
UV-cured inks are well-suited for indoor displays and signage. If your project has heavy handling, abrasion, cleaning, or outdoor exposure requirements, tell us early and we’ll recommend the best approach.
Do you supply the materials?
Yes. We typically print on materials supplied and fabricated in-house to ensure compatibility and quality.
