UV DTF vs Flatbed UV: Which Printer Should You Buy?

Not all surfaces were made to fit inside a printer.

That’s at the crux of your decision between these 2 technologies. And why two types of UV printing have taken off across UK workshops, gift businesses, and sign shops: UV DTF and Flatbed UV.

Both use UV-curable inks to create bold, durable prints on all sorts of materials — but the way they do it, and what they’re best at, is very different.

At YES Group, we’ve helped everyone from high-street print shops to kitchen-table startups choose the right UV printing setup. This guide walks you through how each technology works, where it shines, and real-world examples of when one makes more sense than the other.

What Is UV DTF Printing?

UV DTF (Direct to Film) printing is a fast, peel-and-stick method for decorating nearly any object — curved, flat, rigid, or flexible.

Instead of printing directly on the item, you print onto a clear film using UV ink. Then you apply a laminating sheet, press the two together, peel, and stick your design onto the final surface. That means:

No heat press
No weeding or masking
No direct contact with the object

It’s really an advanced decal or sticker printer – and an incredibly versatile and time-saving approach.

Probably the best way to differentiate between it and flatbed uv printing is using our own YES Group company as an example:

How we use our Digital HeatFX 24H32 UV DTF Printer:

We recently took a fresh look at how we could make things like ordering supplies easier for our equipment customers. One thing we realized is that people are usually right by the machines when they realize they need to place a new order for supplies or maintenance items – and that it would be easiest for them if they could shop from their phone on the spot.

The solution was to use our UV DTF printer to create high quality decals and put them in an obvious place on the equipment.

The result? If you realize you’re low on UV DTF link you can just shoot the QR code on the decal and it takes you right to the correct supplies page.

Of course, you can also create decals to go on almost any surface, INCLUDING ones that are uneven, or simply wouldn’t fit in a flatbed uv printer:

UV-DTF Printers are best for making:

Custom stickers for promo items like tumblers, trophies and more
Labels, QR codes, and barcodes
Custom tech accessories, flasks, jars, and curved items

What Is a Flatbed UV Printer?

Flatbed UV printers print directly onto a substrate placed on a vacuum table or adjustable bed. The UV inks are instantly cured by UV lights, bonding the ink to the surface without needing heat or drying time.

This makes flatbed UV printing perfect for flat, rigid items and bulk production.

How we use our ColDesi UV300 H3R Flatbed UV Printer

During a recent showroom remodel we took a hard look at how EMPTY the walls were behind the equipment and realized it was an opportunity for not just a clearer experience when you visit but for branding as well.

So we decided to print the ColDesi UV Printer sign on clear Perspex and reverse print it to give it a more polished look.

In this case we COULD have printed it with the UV DTF printer, but it wouldn’t have looked quite the same, would have been harder to apply because of the size and would have cost us more- because UV Printer ink is VERY inexpensive per print and there’s no film to add cost.

Flatbed UV Printers are best for:

Signs, advertising boards, display panels
Plaques, coasters, and flat promotional items
Pre-assembled parts, packaging panels, or industrial blanks

Cost Per Print: What to Expect

Cost is always a factor — and while both technologies use UV ink, the total cost per print differs due to materials.

UV DTF

Costs include: UV ink + adhesive film + laminate film
Typical cost per print: ~£0.40–£1.20 depending on design size
Higher media cost, but less setup time and fewer jigs needed

Flatbed UV

Costs include: Just UV ink (and sometimes jig or fixture cost)
Typical cost per print: ~£0.05–£0.25 depending on ink coverage
Lower per-print cost, especially for batch production

Bottom line: UV DTF may cost more per piece, but it saves time and expands your printable product range. Flatbed UV is ideal when you’re doing higher volumes of repeatable work or need more durability than decals.

Which Printer Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to what you print, how often you print it, and what kind of surfaces you’re working with.

Choose UV DTF if:

You produce high-mix, low-volume custom jobs
Your items are curved, textured, or don’t fit on a flatbed
You want to quickly add branding, QR codes, or labels to almost anything
You value speed and flexibility over ultra-low print costs

Think: A maker business decorating flasks and candles, or a manufacturer labelling odd-shaped components with QR codes.

Choose Flatbed UV if:

You regularly print on flat, rigid items
You want high-volume efficiency with low ink costs
You do signage, panels, plaques, or promotional items in batches
Your products require a long-lasting, direct print (not a decal)

Think: A sign shop creating acrylic signage and coasters, or a brand printing hundreds of the same retail display panel.

Still Not Sure?

Many businesses end up using both [like us!] — UV DTF for irregular items and quick customisation, flatbed UV for scale and direct-print quality.

Book a live demo at our showroom or online and let us walk you through both systems in action. We’ll help you decide based on your actual products, not just the spec sheet.