UV-Cured Inks & CMYK Printing
Vivid, durable color that cures instantly and is ready to hang.
UV-Cured Inks
Cured in a Second, Built to Last
UV-cured inks harden the instant ultraviolet light hits them, turning from liquid to solid in about a second, where solvent and water-based inks take hours to dry by evaporation.
That instant cure leaves a hard, scratch- and smudge-resistant film, keeps every color crisp without bleeding, and means your wallpaper is ready to install as soon as it's printed, with no lingering solvent smell in the room.
Why It Matters
What UV Inks Give Your Walls
Instant Cure
No drying time, so prints are ready to install straight off the press.
Scratch & Smudge Resistant
A hard, cured film that wipes clean and stands up to daily wear.
Fade Resistant
Color that holds up in bright rooms and busy spaces.
Low-VOC
No solvent smell, and wallcoverings tested for indoor air quality.
CMYK Printing
Four Inks, a Full Spectrum
Our press lays down cyan, magenta, yellow and black in microscopic droplets that blend into a full range of color, at up to 1200 dpi across a 52-inch printable width, so fine lines stay sharp and gradients stay smooth from edge to edge.
The press is calibrated monthly and every color is matched against our 20,000+ color library, and you approve a printed proof on your material before the run.
Know the Limits
What CMYK Can't Print, and What We Do Instead
Four-color ink can't produce metallic or fluorescent color, and a digital print is flat, without the raised ink of a screen or block print. Very bright RGB screen colors will also print slightly more muted.
For a metallic look we print full color over white ink on metallic stocks like Gold Flash; for texture, a textured substrate such as Grasscloth brings back a physical surface. If a color is critical, send a Pantone or paint reference and we'll match it.
Inks & Printing, Answered
UV-cured inks
What are UV-cured inks, and how do they differ from traditional inks? ▾
UV-cured inks harden the instant ultraviolet light hits them, turning from liquid to solid in about a second. Solvent and water-based inks dry by evaporation, which takes hours. The result is a tougher, scratch-resistant surface, and a print that's ready to install as soon as it comes off the press.
Why UV inks rather than solvent or latex for wallpaper? ▾
They cure instantly instead of drying for hours, leave a harder finish that resists scratches and moisture, and are low in VOCs, so there's no lingering solvent smell in the room. Curing with LED light also avoids the heat that can shift color in latex printing.
Are UV-printed wallpapers safe for nurseries, schools and hospitals? ▾
Our wallcoverings are tested for low-VOC emissions (CDPH V1.2-2017) and carry ASTM E-84 and CAN/ULC S102 fire ratings. Certificates and lab reports are on our technical specifications page.
CMYK printing
How does CMYK printing work on a large-format press? ▾
The press lays down four inks, cyan, magenta, yellow and black, in microscopic droplets that blend into a full spectrum of color, at up to 1200 dpi across a 52-inch printable width. Each pass cures under LED light as it's printed, so colors stay crisp without bleeding.
Should I design in CMYK or RGB? ▾
Send your file in either; we handle the conversion. Just know that RGB can show neon-bright colors a screen can display and ink can't print, so some vivid screen colors will print slightly more muted. If a color is critical, give us a Pantone or paint reference. See our design file guide.
Can CMYK handle gradients and fine detail on a large print? ▾
Yes. At up to 1200 dpi, fine lines stay sharp and gradients stay smooth across the full width of the wall, from an intricate border to a soft sunset fade.
How do you keep color consistent from roll to roll? ▾
Our press is calibrated monthly and every color is matched against our 20,000+ color library, and you approve a printed proof on your material before the run. Because UV ink cures instantly, there's no drift as a print dries.
Limits & durability
Can you print metallic or fluorescent colors? ▾
Not with ink: CMYK can't produce metallic or fluorescent color. For a metallic look we print full color over white ink on metallic stocks like Gold Flash or Silver Flash.
How durable are UV-printed wallpapers? ▾
The cured ink forms a hard film that resists scratches, smudges and fading, and fingerprints and marks wipe away without streaking. For walls that take real abuse, a protective topcoat adds another layer.
More From the Guide
Preparing files for print, protecting the finished wall, and choosing a code-compliant material.
Design Files for Wallpaper: The Ultimate, Detailed Guide to Printing
Resolution, color mode and file formats for a print-ready design.
Read more→
How Topcoats Make Wallpapers more Durable
When a protective topcoat is worth adding to a printed wall.
Read more→
Learn How to Choose Fire-Rated, Building Code Certified Wallpaper
Fire ratings and certifications for commercial and public spaces.
Read more→Ready to print?
Send your design and we'll proof it on your chosen material before the run.