How to Prepare Artwork for UV Printing: White Ink, Transparency and File Types

For the best UV printing results, send vector artwork (AI, EPS, PDF or SVG) with text converted to outlines, or a high resolution PNG with a transparent background at the actual print size. Tell us which areas should be see through, which need a white ink base, and where you want finishes like spot gloss or raised texture. That is the short version of UV printing file setup. At Arnold Prints in Westlake, Florida, we check every file before it prints and will tell you if something needs attention, but knowing the basics saves a round of proofs and gets your order moving faster.

This guide is for business owners, marketing teams and designers sending art for UV printed items like acrylic signs, keychains, tumblers, phone cases, magnets and awards.

Why UV artwork is a little different

On paper, everything prints on white. On a UV printer, the item itself is the "paper," and it might be clear acrylic, black metal, natural wood or a colored tumbler. Our xTool O1 Omni Dual-Head UV printer handles that with extra ink channels beyond CMYK: rigid white, flexible white for leather and leatherette, clear coat, and fluorescent red and yellow. Your file tells the printer where each of those inks goes.

File types, ranked

File	Rating	Notes
AI, EPS, PDF (vector), SVG	Best	Sharp at any size. Convert text to outlines.
PNG with transparency	Good	Use at print size, at 300 dpi or higher.
TIFF or PSD	Good	Great for photos. Keep layers if you have them.
JPG	Okay	Fine for photos. No transparency, so backgrounds print as solid.
Screenshots, web images, logos in Word files	Avoid	Usually too low in resolution. Ask us about redrawing.

Resolution in plain terms

The printer resolves up to 720 x 1440 dpi. That is excellent for detail, but it also means it faithfully reproduces any blur or pixelation in your file. For raster images, aim for 300 pixels per inch at the final size. A keychain that prints 2 inches wide needs an image at least 600 pixels wide. A 12 inch sign needs 3,600 pixels.

Understanding white ink

White ink is the most important concept in UV file setup. CMYK inks are transparent, like colored glass. On a white item they look right. On clear, dark or colored items they look faded or disappear without a white layer underneath.

Three ways white ink gets used

1. Underbase. White printed under the color in the same shape so colors stay bright on dark or clear materials. This is the default on most non white items.
2. Spot white. White printed as its own color, for example white text on a black tumbler.
3. No white. Color printed straight onto a white or very light item. Sometimes used on purpose on clear acrylic for a tinted, stained glass look.

How to show white in your file

If you are comfortable in Illustrator or Photoshop, put white areas on a separate layer named "WHITE" filled with a 100 percent spot color. If not, a simple note works: "white under all artwork" or "white text only." We build the white layer for you and show it on the proof.

Flexible white for leather

Leather and leatherette use flexible white instead of rigid white so the print bends without cracking. You do not need to do anything different in the file. Just tell us the material.

Transparency: what is see through?

On clear acrylic and glass, any area with no ink is see through. This is one of the most common surprises on proofs.

• Transparent PNG backgrounds stay clear on clear material. That is usually what you want for a floating logo.
• JPG backgrounds are always solid, so a white JPG background prints as a white box.
• Semi transparent effects like soft shadows and glows can look odd on clear material. Tell us if they matter and we will advise.

For clear acrylic printed from the back (so the glossy front protects the ink), we mirror the artwork and reverse the layer order: color first, then white behind it. We handle that setup. You just send the art as it should read from the front.

Setting up finishes

Clear coat creates gloss, matte, spot gloss and raised texture up to about 7 mm. To request it:

1. Create a layer named "SPOT GLOSS," "MATTE" or "TEXTURE."
2. Fill the finish area with a solid 100 percent spot color.
3. For texture, note the height you want, or use grayscale where darker means taller.

Our guide to gloss, matte, spot gloss and raised texture explains what each finish looks like.

Sizing for common items

• Flat items: our flat print area is up to 13 x 16.5 inches.
• Tumblers, cans and bottles: the rotary prints 360 degree wraps up to 4 inches in diameter. We send a template sized to your exact item. Tapered cups and handled mugs: ask us.
• Phone cases: design around the camera cutout. We send a template for your exact case model, and you can see case options on our custom phone cases page.
• Keychains and magnets: keep text bold and simple at small sizes. See keychain options.

Color tips

• Send brand colors. Pantone, CMYK or HEX values help us match.
• Expect material to influence color. Natural wood under the ink warms colors. A white underbase keeps them true.
• Fluorescent inks are available for red and yellow when you need neon or safety orange style brightness. Mark those areas separately.
• Rich black prints deeper than plain black on many materials. We adjust this for you.

A quick pre-send checklist

1. Vector file, or raster at 300 dpi at print size
2. Text converted to outlines, or fonts included
3. Transparent background where the item should show through
4. Notes on white ink, finishes and fluorescent areas
5. Final size and item (or a link to the item)
6. Names list in a spreadsheet for personalized orders

Do not have print ready art? Send what you have. We can clean up or redraw logos when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What file format is best for UV printing?

Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF or SVG) with text outlined are best. A high resolution PNG with a transparent background at print size also works well.

Do I need to create the white ink layer myself?

No. A note like "white under all artwork" is enough. We build the white layer and show it on your proof.

Why does my logo look faded on a clear or dark item?

Color inks are transparent. Without a white underbase, they look faded on clear or dark materials. Adding white under the art fixes it.

What resolution should photos be?

Aim for 300 pixels per inch at the final print size. Use the original file, not a screenshot or social media download.

Can you fix a low resolution logo?

Often, yes. We can clean up or redraw logos so they print sharply. Send what you have and we will let you know.

Send your artwork

Email your files and a short description of the item, quantity and finish to sales@arnoldprints.com, call 561-323-7573, or request a quote. We will review the files and send a proof. Learn more about our process on the UV printing page.