Printing on Plastic : Easy Methods and Ideas

Plastic is everywhere. You see it in signage, cards, packaging inserts, decorative panels, and display pieces.

However, printing on plastic is difficult because the surface is non-porous. Unlike paper or wood, plastic does not absorb ink.

If you choose the wrong method, the ink will smudge, peel, or scratch off.

In this guide, we walk through common plastic items, the main ways to print on plastic, and how you can pick a machine that fits your projects.

What Can You Actually Print On

When we say "plastic printing," we mostly mean flat or nearly-flat surfaces, though modern machines can handle curves too.

Not all plastics behave the same way under a print head.

So, we've organized the most common printable plastics by their rigidity and typical application.

These everyday materials work especially well:

Rigid Plastics for Signs and Displays

These materials are hard and usually come in flat sheets. They are commonly printed using flatbed machines.

• Acrylic is used for high-quality signage, photo blocks, and awards. It has a glossy surface that looks professional.
• PVC is a durable material used for real estate signs, trade show displays, and menu boards.
• Polycarbonate is very strong and is used for machine control panels and safety labels.
• PETG is often used for retail displays and parts that need to be molded later.

Flexible Plastics for Packaging and Labels

These materials require ink that can bend or stretch without cracking.

• Polypropylene (PP) is used for bottles, food containers, and stationery. It is difficult to print on because it has low surface energy, so ink does not adhere well without treatment.
• Polyethylene (PE) is used for plastic bags and squeeze tubes.
• Vinyl is the standard material for stickers, vehicle wraps, and window decals.

You'll soon see that printing on plastic isn't as complicated as it sounds. A lot of everyday stuff is made of plastic, so it's actually pretty common to work with.

3 Best Ways to Print on Plastic

Let's look at the specific methods. The trick is finding the right way to do it.

Here are three common methods you can try.

UV Printing on Plastic

Best for: Custom signs, phone cases, awards, and short-to-medium runs.

As mentioned, printing on plastic can be tricky because its surface isn't porous.

UV printing, however, works a little differently.

It uses special inks that solidify instantly when exposed to ultraviolet light. That's why it's one of the easiest ways to produce vibrant, detailed designs on flat plastic sheets.

And since the ink builds up right on the surface, UV printing can also create eye‑catching 3D textures instead of just flat prints.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Clean the plastic surface to remove dust and oil.
2. Load the item onto the flatbed or into a specialized jig (for golf balls/bottles).
3. Set the height so the print head is close but not touching the object, or use a UV printer with auto-height adjustment function.
4. Print white ink first if you are printing on clear or dark plastic to make colors pop.
5. UV lamps cure the ink instantly as it prints.
6. Inspect the print and add a clear coat if the product needs durability.

UV Printing Pros & Cons

Tips

• Always use white ink under your design on transparent plastics.
• Keep the material flat to avoid banding.
• Use a primer if adhesion is weak on PP or PE.

Screen Printing on Plastic

Best for: Simple designs, bold colors, and outdoor durability.

Screen printing pushes ink through a mesh stencil, leaving a thick, durable layer. It's best for bold colors, outdoor signage, and high-durability prints.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Create a stencil, known as a screen, for the design. You need a separate screen for each color.
2. Place the plastic sheet securely under the screen.
3. Pour ink onto the top of the screen.
4. Use a squeegee to push the ink through the mesh and onto the plastic.
5. Dry or cure the ink using a heat tunnel or UV light. Both options are commonly used.

Screen Printing Pros & Cons

Tips

• Use high-opacity inks for strong coverage.
• Avoid dust. Screen printing shows imperfections easily.
• Pre-treat low-energy plastics if needed.

Pad Printing on Plastic

Best for: Irregular shapes, curves, and small items.

Pad printing uses a silicone pad to transfer ink from a plate to the plastic.

When you need to print on a curved surface such as a game controller, a toy car, or an irregular part, pad printing often works better than UV printing.

The soft pad can bend and cover the shape of the object.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Etch the design onto a metal plate.
2. Cover the plate with ink and wipe away the excess, leaving ink only in the etched design.
3. Press a soft silicone pad onto the plate to pick up the ink.
4. Press the pad onto the plastic object. The pad compresses and wraps around the shape to transfer the ink.
5. Allow the ink to dry or cure.

Pad Printing Pros & Cons

Tips

• Use quality pads to avoid smudging.
• Check ink thickness-transfer depends on it.
• Test small items before mass printing.

How to Make Ink Stick to Plastic

The main problem in plastic printing is adhesion.

Plastic has "low surface energy," which means it likes to repel liquid rather than grab it.

If the ink does not bond chemically with the plastic, it will peel off. Here are three ways to solve this.

Use Chemical Primers

Wipe the plastic with an adhesion promoter (primer) before printing. This creates a chemical bond between the tough plastic surface and the ink.

Try Corona Treatment

This is a machine that discharges high-voltage energy onto the plastic surface. It temporarily changes the chemistry of the surface, allowing ink to stick aggressively.

Add a Clear Topcoat

For items that will be handled a lot (like phone cases or keychains), print a layer of clear varnish over the image to protect it from oils and scratches.

Best Plastic Printing Machine

When you start printing on plastic more often, having the right machine makes a big difference.

But what type of printer can print on plastic?

You need a printer that works with different plastic surfaces, keeps colors consistent, and doesn't slow you down with complicated setup.

Among today's options, one standout for individuals, hobbypreneurs, and small studios is the eufyMake E1.

The E1 is a compact UV printer made for materials like acrylic, PVC, PET, and other rigid plastics. It prints at a resolution of up to 1440 DPI, keeping colors bright and details sharp. With both flatbed and rotary printing, it handles flat sheets and small curved items equally well. This flexibility lets you move from testing ideas to creating real products.

The E1 also has a simple workflow. You design your artwork, place your material on the platform, and let the height and alignment system adjust automatically. Built‑in tools like the camera, lasers, and auto‑leveling save time by reducing manual setup. You can focus more on printing and less on troubleshooting.

Plastic Printing Ideas to Get You Started

Now that you know which machine does what, you might be wondering what specific products are worth printing.

You don't have to stick to standard signs or ID cards. Since plastic is everywhere, there are plenty of profitable items you can customize.

1. Toys and Collectibles

Customizing toys is a great place to start. Lego bricks and minifigures, for example, are made of high-quality ABS plastic. Because the surface is so hard and smooth, it takes ink perfectly.

You can print a company logo on a tiny minifigure for a corporate gift, or print names on bricks for wedding favors.

Poker chips are another popular option. Whether for home games or events, people love having chips customized with their own photos or logos.

2. Sports and Hobby Gear

Sports equipment is almost entirely made of plastic. Golf balls are the biggest market here.

Even though they are round and have dimples, the right machine can print a clean logo right on the surface. This is huge for corporate tournaments.

For music lovers, guitar picks are a simple, flat plastic canvas. Bands are always looking for picks printed with their specific album art to sell at shows.

Image: Anna Trower

3. 3D Printed Parts

If you are already doing 3D printing, this technology fits right into your workflow.

Since common filaments like PLA, ABS, and PETG are just different types of plastic, you can print directly onto the items you create. This solves a big problem for prototypes and props.

Instead of spending hours hand-painting a model to add color or texture, you can just put the 3D printed part into a UV printer and add those details instantly.

4. Electronics and Gaming

Finally, look at the gaming world. Almost all gaming accessories are made of rigid plastic shells.

Gamers love customizing their setups. Mechanical keyboard keycaps are a great niche; you can print custom icons or characters on individual keys to replace the boring standard ones.

You can also print designs on game controller faceplates or earbud cases, turning generic tech into something personal.

Bring Your Plastic Projects to Life

Getting your image onto plastic doesn't always mean you have to buy expensive equipment right away. The best path depends on your budget and how many items you need to make.

If you are just starting out or only need to customize a few items, look into UV DTF transfers. These are special stickers that you can buy and rub onto hard plastics like mugs or phone cases. They are waterproof, durable, and require zero machinery.

If you plan to print daily and want full control, owning a UV flatbed printer is usually the most cost-effective option in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you print on plastic?

To print on plastic, first clean the surface and load the item onto a UV flatbed printer, then allow the machine to print white and color inks while UV lamps instantly cure the design for a durable finish.

How to transfer a logo onto plastic?

To transfer a logo onto plastic using UV DTF, first print the design onto Film A with a UV printer, then laminate it with Film B. Next, cut out the sticker, peel off the backing, and press it firmly onto the plastic surface for a durable finish.