Printing directly onto acrylic used to be difficult and costly. You either needed expensive equipment or had to rely on a professional print shop.
But in 2025, that’s changed. With UV printers becoming more affordable, you can now print on acrylic sheets at home.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to UV printing on acrylic and walk you through everything you need to start creating your own acrylic prints.
What is Acrylic (And Why Print on It)?
First, what is acrylic? You might know it by brand names like Plexiglas or Lucite. Acrylic is a clear, durable plastic that’s often used instead of glass.
Printing on acrylic is popular for its strength and print quality. It’s far more impact-resistant than glass, so it won’t shatter easily. Its surface also welcomes UV ink, forming a strong, lasting bond.
How to Print on Acrylic: Step by Step
Here’s how you can print ink on acrylic using your eufyMake UV printer.
Step 1: Clean the Acrylic
Make sure the surface is free of dust, fingerprints, or oils. Use a soft cloth or alcohol wipe to clean it. A clean surface helps the ink stick better.
Step 2: Prepare Your Design
Create your image using software like Photoshop or Illustrator. Use high-resolution files (at least 300 dpi). Keep in mind how the light will pass through clear acrylic or how reflections might affect your design.
Step 3: Set Up the Printer
Place the acrylic sheet on the flatbed. Then click the "Snapshot" button to capture its position.
This takes a real-time photo of the print surface so you can clearly see where your material is positioned.
You'll then be able to drag and move your design to match the shape and size of your acrylic sheet.
Tips: When UV printing on acrylic, thin sheets (about 1mm) can warp from heat. This happens especially if they are not firmly fixed or fully supported. To prevent this, press them firmly onto an adhesive platform board. You can also use a jig or tape to secure them.
Step 4: Select Material and Print Settings
In the printing software, you'll need to let the machine know what you're printing on.
Under the Material setting, select 'Acrylic'. This helps the printer adjust things like ink flow and curing time to match the surface of your sheet.
Next, choose your Print Quality based on what you're trying to do:
- If you're working on a final product and want the colors to look sharp and vibrant, go with High Quality. This mode uses more ink, but it gives you the best results.
- Standard mode is a good balance — it still gives you nice quality but saves some ink.
- If you’re just doing a test run to check positioning or alignment, Draft mode is enough. It prints faster and uses less ink.
Step 5: Set the Ink Mode
Now it’s time to tell the printer how to lay down the ink.
This part depends on your design and the effect you want:
- White → CMYK is the most common for printing on acrylic. It starts with a white base layer so the colors on top stay bright and solid — especially important when your acrylic is clear or translucent.
- CMYK only skips the white layer. Use this when you want to keep part of the acrylic see-through, like for light effects or layered designs.
- CMYK → White → CMYK is used when you want the design to be visible from both sides, almost like a double-sided sticker with strong contrast.
- If your design has glossy or textured parts, you can also add Gloss Varnish to bring out a shiny or raised effect. This works great for things like logos or patterns.
Before hitting print, make sure to preview your layout one last time. That way you’ll know everything is lined up correctly
Step 6: Start Printing
When everything looks good, start the print. The printer applies the ink while UV light cures it instantly. You can print in full color, add white layers, or build texture by layering.
Why UV Printing Works So Well on Acrylic
UV printing on acrylic offers several advantages that make it a top choice for creating vibrant, durable designs. Here's why it's so popular:
Sharp, Vibrant Colors
UV printers use light to cure the ink while it's being printed. This makes the colors look bold, clean, and rich. It’s great for photo-quality prints, clear logos, or colorful graphics. You can print a picture onto acrylic with fine lines and smooth gradients that really stand out.
Durable Results
Acrylic is already tough. And UV ink adds more protection. Once the print ink on acrylic is cured, it resists scratches, fading, water, and sunlight. Your prints can last for years, whether they’re hanging indoors or exposed to the weather outside.
Detailed Designs
Because the ink cures instantly, it doesn't bleed or run. That means UV printing gives you sharp lines and accurate detail. It’s great for small fonts, complex logos, or layered effects on clear acrylic.
Works with Many Types of Acrylic
You can use this method on clear, frosted, or colored acrylic in different thicknesses. UV printers can even handle uneven surfaces or edge-to-edge printing. This gives you more freedom when customizing acrylic panels, signs, or display pieces.
Faster Turnaround
Since UV ink dries instantly, you don’t have to wait between steps. You can print and handle the acrylic right away. This makes it perfect for quick jobs or printing in batches.
What Can You Print on Acrylic?
With a UV printer, you can customize a huge range of products for business, home, and personal style.
Acrylic Printing for Business and Signage
This is a common use for acrylic. You can create professional acrylic signage, custom office door signs, and branded acrylic business card holders. It's also used for weather-resistant outdoor signs and vibrant backlit lightboxes for retail.
Acrylic Printing for Home Decor and Wall Art
This is perfect for modern home decor. You can create stunning acrylic wall art and high-gloss acrylic photo prints. It is also great for custom picture and art frames and personalized acrylic wall plaques.
Printing on Acrylic for Gifts and Personal Style
For makers, UV printing is ideal for creating small-batch goods. Print intricate designs on acrylic keychains and custom acrylic pendants or jewelry. You can even print on full sets of blank acrylic nails.
You can also personalize unique items like cosmetic cases, collector's CD box sets, and custom awards and trophies.
3D Textured Printing on Acrylic
A standout feature of UV printing on acrylic is the ability to create tangible 3D textures.
This adds a premium, tactile "wow" factor. You can make a logo feel embossed on a trophy or add a tactile dimension to custom wall art. This technique is even used to print functional textures, like Braille, directly onto acrylic signs.
Tips for Better Acrylic Prints
1. Add a white base layer under your design
If you're printing on clear acrylic, your image may look faded or translucent unless you add a white underlayer. Most UV printers support printing white ink behind your main design. This helps your colors pop and makes your print more visible from both sides.
2. Calibrate your printer settings carefully
Every piece of acrylic might be a little different in thickness or reflectivity. Adjust the print head height and ink density based on the sheet you're using. Start with a test print so you don’t waste materials or time. If you’re just learning how to print ink on acrylic, this step is key.
3. Print in a clean and controlled space
Printing in a dusty or humid environment can ruin your results. Acrylic attracts static, which pulls in lint or dust that can stick under the ink. Try to work in a stable, clean room to keep particles from settling on the surface while you print.
Best Acrylic Printer for Home
An acrylic printer is a UV flatbed printer. This machine is essential for printing on acrylic because regular inks (like those in your home inkjet) won't stick and will just wipe off.
If you want to print on acrylic, here is what you must look for in a printer:
- UV-Cured Ink: You need a printer that uses special UV ink. A built-in UV light cures (or hardens) this ink instantly, forcing it to bond durably to the smooth acrylic surface.
- White Ink Printing: To print on clear acrylic, a white ink channel is non-negotiable. The printer must lay down an opaque white base layer first, otherwise, your colors will look transparent and faded. This feature makes your design pop.
- Adjustable Print Height: Acrylic comes in various thicknesses, from thin sheets to thick blocks. You need a flatbed with adjustable print height so the printhead can be raised to accommodate your specific item.
For a home or small business, this is where the eufyMake E1 UV Printer stands out. While industrial machines are massive and expensive, the E1 is affordable and compact enough for a desktop.
What truly sets it apart is its ease of use and versatility. It's built with smart operation, making it far less intimidating for beginners. But most importantly, it's not just an acrylic printer. The E1 is an all-in-one system that also supports:
- UV DTF printing for decals and transfers
- Roll-to-roll printing for film and labels
- Rotary UV printing for bottles, mugs, and curved items
If you're looking for a versatile UV printer that can print a picture onto acrylic and much more, the eufyMake E1 is a reliable place to start.
Final Thought
UV printing on acrylic is a game-changer for creating vibrant, durable designs. With its precision, eco-friendliness, and versatility, it's perfect for a wide range of applications. Whether you're printing for business or fun, UV printing delivers professional, eye-catching results.
FAQs
Can you print on acrylic at home?
You definitely can print on acrylic at home with a UV printer or UV DTF printer now. These machines are becoming affordable and compact in 2025, and the eufyMake E1 is a solid choice.
Is acrylic printing expensive?
Acrylic printing used to cost more in the past because of high equipment costs. But with more budget UV printers entering the market, it’s now much more affordable.
How to transfer a printed image onto acrylic?
To transfer an image onto an acrylic sheet, print on UV DTF film first, then cut, peel, and carefully apply it to the acrylic surface. This method is the easiest. You can also use sublimation transfer or heat transfer film for a different finish.
Can you screen print onto acrylic?
Yes, it’s possible, but screen printing on acrylic takes more setup and works best for larger production runs. UV printing is faster and better for small batches or one-off custom designs.
