Best Acrylic for UV Printing: Which Sheets Print Best
CMBACRYLIC Buying Guide
Buying Guide · UV Printing
Best Acrylic for UV Printing
Which acrylic sheets give the brightest, sharpest UV prints, and how to prep them.
Quick answer: For UV printing, choose cast acrylic with a smooth, clean surface. White and matte sheets give the brightest, most readable color. Clear and frosted sheets work well with a white ink layer behind the color. Pre-cut UV print blanks save you a step if you also laser cut.
UV ink sits on top of the surface and cures instantly, so the sheet you print on decides how bright, sharp and durable the result is. Here is how to choose.
Top picks
Best Acrylic Types for UV Printing
White acrylic
The brightest base for full-color prints. Our gloss bright white is also a favorite for sublimation.
Matte acrylic
Non-glare, so signs and menus read clearly under lights. Popular for shop signage.
Clear acrylic
Print color with a white layer behind it, or reverse-print for a glossy, under-glass look.
Leatherette
Many of our leatherettes work for UV printing as well as engraving. Great for patches.
Prep
How to Get the Best UV Print on Acrylic
Remove the masking right before printing, keep the surface free of dust and fingerprints, and print on the front (or the back, for reverse prints on clear). Our Material Prep Cheat Sheet covers each material, and Best Materials for UV Flatbed Printing compares acrylic with other substrates.
Don't have a UV printer? Our pattern acrylic sheets are printed in-house and ready to laser cut. For your own designs, our sister company Print & Cut Co handles custom printing and cutting.
Quick answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cast or extruded acrylic better for UV printing?
Both accept UV ink, but cast acrylic is the better choice if you will also laser cut or engrave the piece. It cuts with a cleaner edge.
Do I need white ink to print on clear acrylic?
Usually, yes. A white layer behind the color keeps it bright and opaque on clear sheets.
Is UV printing on acrylic permanent?
UV prints are durable and scratch resistant when the surface is prepped well. Read Is UV Printing Permanent? for details.
Ready to print
Shop UV print blanks
Pre-cut acrylic shapes ready for your UV printer.
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