Chapter 1
What UV Lamp Is Installed in Your Press?
Every day, thousands of UV curing systems are switched on around the world.
The press starts.
The coating cures.
The ink appears dry.
Production continues.
But here’s a question that is rarely asked.
What UV lamp is actually installed in your press?
Many operators know the press manufacturer.
They know the ink supplier.
They know the anilox.
They know the press speed.
But surprisingly few can identify the UV lamp technology responsible for curing their products.
For many people, the answer is simply:
“It’s a UV lamp.”
In reality, that answer is only the beginning.
Not all UV lamps are the same.
Different lamp technologies were developed for different applications, different photoinitiators and different curing requirements.
Some are designed for general UV printing.
Others perform better with pigmented inks.
Others with coatings.
Others with adhesives.
Others are now used in medical and dental equipment.
Understanding which technology is installed is the first step toward understanding the entire curing process.
That is why this chapter introduces the first group of Kolorguide Technical Reference Cards (KTR).
These reference cards provide a quick visual comparison of each UV lamp technology, including:
• Typical spectrum
• Typical life
• Typical power density
• Approximate power requirements
• Relative cost
• Typical applications
Each card has a permanent reference number so it can be cited throughout this guide and in future technical articles.
For example:
KTR-101 — Mercury Arc Lamp
KTR-102 — Gallium Doped Lamp
KTR-103 — Iron Doped Lamp
KTR-104 — Metal Halide Lamp
KTR-105 — LED UV System
KTR-106 — Medical & Dental UV Applications
These cards are not intended to replace detailed technical articles.
They are designed to become a permanent technical reference—allowing engineers, operators and quality managers to compare technologies in seconds.
Because understanding begins with knowing exactly what equipment is installed.
And every UV curing process starts with one simple question:
What UV lamp am I using?
Key Takeaway
Before measuring intensity…
Before measuring energy…
Before replacing a lamp…
Before troubleshooting curing problems…
Identify the UV lamp technology installed in your system.
That single step provides the foundation for every technical decision that follows.
Chapter References
Primary Reference Cards
KTR-101 Mercury Arc Lamp
KTR-102 Gallium Doped Lamp
KTR-103 Iron Doped Lamp
KTR-104 Metal Halide Lamp
KTR-105 LED UV System
KTR-106 Medical & Dental UV Applications
