Choosing the right UV printer can be overwhelming – especially with so many options on the market. In Malaysia, the wrong decision could cost your business tens of thousands of ringgit. Whether you’re starting a small signage business or upgrading to meet higher-volume orders, this guide is designed to help you avoid common mistakes and pick the right machine for your needs.

A well-chosen UV printer doesn’t just improve print quality – it can also increase profit margins, reduce turnaround time, and open up new business opportunities.

1. What Type of Products Will You Be Printing?

Are you printing rigid materials like wood, acrylic, or metal? Or flexible materials like vinyl stickers, packaging film, or gift boxes? This affects the printer type you need:

• Flatbed UV printers – ideal for rigid items (e.g. signage, promotional gifts)
• Roll-to-roll printers – great for flexible prints (e.g. stickers, banners)
• Hybrid printers – for businesses needing to handle both

📌 Tip: Some Malaysian SMEs start with hybrid printers to handle more orders without needing two machines.

If you’re considering a reliable flatbed model, brands like Mimaki are well known for their durable hardware and precision output. Learn more about our Mimaki offerings here.

2. What’s Your Expected Order Volume?

If you’re printing 10 pieces a week, you don’t need a high-speed industrial printer. But if you’re servicing bulk orders during festive seasons like Hari Raya or end-of-year sales, speed matters.

• Light usage: Entry-level UV printers (A3/A4 size)
• Mid-volume: Flatbed or hybrid models with 2–4 print heads
• High-volume: Wide-format UV printers with advanced curing and feeding systems

💡 Consider your business’s busiest months. Can your printer keep up?

Make sure you don’t underinvest in speed and then struggle to meet client deadlines.

3. Print Area – How Big Do You Need?

Larger print areas allow more jobs per run and reduce repositioning. A common print bed size in Malaysia is 600mm x 900mm or 900mm x 1200mm, suitable for signage and gift items.

If you’re printing items like luggage, doors, or boards, you may want beds as large as 1300mm x 2500mm.

⚠️ Larger printers need more space – plan for at least 2m x 3m of room and proper ventilation.

Also think about future-proofing – choose a slightly larger bed size if you plan to expand your product range later.

4. Resolution vs Speed – What’s More Important to You?

UV printers typically print between 360 to 1440 DPI. But high resolution often means slower speed.

• 360 DPI – Fast, lower resolution for bulk jobs
• 720 DPI – Balanced output for most applications
• 1440 DPI – Best for photo-quality images, slowest speed

✅ Most Malaysian businesses find 720 DPI offers the best balance.

Also, check if the machine can switch DPI modes quickly, depending on the type of job – this gives you more flexibility in your workflow.

5. How Much Should You Budget? (UV Printer Malaysia Price Guide)

UV printer prices in Malaysia vary widely:

• Entry-level (A4/A3): RM8,000 – RM30,000
• Mid-range flatbed/hybrid: RM30,000 – RM150,000
• Industrial printers: RM150,000 – RM450,000+

Also budget for:

• Ink (RM300 – RM600/litre)
• Power consumption (standard 240V in Malaysia; some models require 3-phase)
• RIP software license
• Maintenance parts (e.g. print heads, dampers)

💰 Set aside RM500–RM1,000/month for ink and basic maintenance.

🧠 Tip: Consider long-term ROI — a higher initial investment can mean better durability and lower long-term cost.

Some machines may also require air compressors or dedicated PCs for software – factor those into your budget.

6. What Surfaces and Effects Do You Want to Print?

Modern UV printers can print on:

• Wood, metal, acrylic, glass
• PU leather, plastic, ceramic, aluminium
• Bottles, golf balls, phone cases

Some machines offer embossed textures, 3D effects, or even Braille.

🎯 Make sure your machine supports white ink and varnish if you want special effects.

Mimaki UV printers stand out here with:

• High-precision multi-layer printing
• Superior ink adhesion on diverse surfaces
• Support for textured and relief effects
• Vibrant, eco-conscious ink sets

These features make them ideal for everything from custom packaging to high-end industrial prototypes.

7. Reliability, Warranty & Support Matter

Don’t just buy the cheapest printer you can find online. Check for:

• Warranty: At least 1 year (print head coverage optional)
• Local support: Is there a Malaysian team that can help with issues?
• Spare parts availability: Can you get them fast when needed?

🛠️ A cheap printer with no support can cost you more in downtime than you save upfront.

At ACXUS, we offer Mimaki and other UV printers with full Malaysian warranty and after-sales support, so your investment stays protected.

We also provide onboarding assistance, staff training, and preventive maintenance plans – helping your operations stay productive.

8. UV Printing Trends in Malaysia (2025)

• Eco-friendly UV inks are gaining popularity
• Multi-layer printing for 3D effects
• Growing demand for personalized gifts (corporate & wedding)
• Some machines now print on 300+ materials
• More SMEs shifting from outsourcing to in-house printing for faster turnaround and better margins
• Rise of print-on-demand ecommerce businesses offering unique products

📈 Malaysian SMEs are adopting UV printing to offer faster, more versatile solutions – from souvenirs to industrial parts.

Adopting in-house UV printing also gives businesses more control over timelines, product quality, and profit margins.

9. How to Future-Proof Your UV Printer Investment

Before you decide, ask:

• Is the printer compatible with upcoming ink technologies?
• Can it be upgraded (e.g. add print heads or change ink types)?
• Does the supplier offer firmware updates or software enhancements?

Mimaki’s printers are known for backward-compatible upgrades and future-ready technology, which helps protect your long-term investment.

Final Thoughts: Choose Based on Your Business Goals

Don’t buy the most expensive printer – buy the one that fits your use case. Think about:

• What products you’ll offer
• What kind of orders you want to fulfill
• How fast you need to deliver
• What kind of effects or finishing you want to include

At ACXUS, we help Malaysian businesses choose the right printer with local support, fair pricing, and ongoing guidance. Whether you’re just starting or expanding, we’ll help you pick the perfect model — including high-quality options like Mimaki UV printers.

🔗 Explore our full range of UV printers for Malaysia here 

Have questions? Our team is happy to help you compare models and plan your setup.

Need help choosing a UV printer in Malaysia?
Let us guide you to the right machine — no hard sell, just honest advice.

📞Contact us now or WhatsApp us for a quick recommendation.

FAQs

Q1: What key factors should I consider when choosing a UV printer?
When choosing a UV printer, focus on your product types, print volume, workspace size, and budget. Consider the printer’s speed, resolution (DPI), compatibility with materials, and available features like multi-layer printing. Also think about after-sales support, ink cost, and the availability of spare parts in Malaysia.

Q2: What’s the difference between UV flatbed and UV DTF printers?
Flatbed UV printers are ideal for rigid and flat surfaces like acrylic, wood, and metal, offering direct-to-surface printing. In contrast, UV DTF (Direct-to-Film) printers print on a special film and then transfer the design onto objects — making them more suitable for irregular or curved surfaces like cups or tubes.

Q3: How much does a UV printer cost in Malaysia?
Prices vary depending on size and capability:

• Entry-level A3/A4 models: RM8,000 – RM30,000
• Mid-range machines: RM30,000 – RM150,000
• Industrial flatbeds: RM150,000 – RM450,000+

Don’t forget to include ongoing costs like ink, software, and maintenance.

Q4: Why is RIP software important for UV printing?
RIP (Raster Image Processor) software controls print jobs, resolution, and colour output. Good RIP software allows for cost estimation, better print management, and integration with design software — improving both workflow and print quality.

Q5: What are some new trends in UV printing for 2025?
Trends include:

• • Eco-friendly inks and sustainable materials
  • 3D/embossed texture printing
  • Rotary attachments for bottles and cylindrical objects

• Greater use of AI and automation to reduce manual steps
• Businesses moving toward in-house printing to cut costs and speed up delivery

These innovations are helping Malaysian businesses grow with more versatile and value-added services.