UV prints 100 percent flat. A rotary attachment, or jig, compensates for the shape of a tumbler by presenting a flat-as-possible face to the print heads. Then it matches the speed of the print/bed movement with the rotation of the tumbler so you get a clear image. But not all tumblers are created equal, and the first thing we need to check is the topography of the item:
- Does it have flat sides, or do they arch?
- How radically does it slope from the mouth to the bottom of the printable area?
- If the sides are not flat, how far from the high point on the side can we move (up and down) before we start to see too much gap for a good print?
Based on the answers above, is it realistic to print the desired artwork on the tumbler without radically modifying? Remember, the printer is going to print with the “flat” in mind and needs a consistent distance from the print head to do so. Even the best rotary jig won’t compensate for certain shapes.
—ColDesi, Inc.
