UV printing process

Abstract

A UV printing process for printing a design onto one or more articles is provided, the process comprising: providing a jig 100 on a bed 210 of a UV printer 200, the jig comprising one or more receptac

Description

The present invention relates to an ultraviolet (UV) printing process for printing designs or images directly onto an article. The UV printing process may advantageously be used to print custom designs on magnets for use on sports tactics boards. It should be noted that throughout this specification, reference is made to an ‘article’ or to ‘articles’ to describe the substrate, product, or the like to which the UV printing technique is applied. It is to be understood that the process and methods embodying the present invention are not restricted to use on one particular type of printed product, and may be employed to print designs, logos, images, information, or the like on various articles including, but not limited to magnets, markers, stationary, badges, labels, toys, accessories, or the like. In the interests of clarity and brevity, the term ‘article’, as used in this specification, is to be interpreted broadly to cover all products or items, to which the UV printing technique may be applied. UV printing techniques and equipment are known in the art. Briefly, the article to be printed is placed on the bed of the UV printer and held securely through any suitable means. As with other printing methods UV printing involves applying an ink to the article that will receive the print, which then cures or dries to form a permanent design on the article. In the case of a UV printer, the printer deposits the wet ink to the article and a specialist UV light is then passed over the ink, acting as a catalyst and causing curing or polymerisation of the ink. This hardens and dries the ink rapidly to form the permanent design. An advantage of UV printing is the lack of spreading in the ink due to the rapid curing caused by the UV light, which allows for high resolution prints. UV printing has widespread application and can be used on a variety of different materials and substrates. This can include plastics, wood, glass, metals, ceramics, paper, and card. As such, UV printing techniques and methods can be used for a variety of applications and different products. UV printing, and the resultant product, can offer a number of benefits depending on the application. UV printing is generally known to produce a high level of detail due to the high resolution of the images and designs that can be applied to a product. Finished prints exhibit good fade, scratch, and weather resistance and generally have a more durable surface than solvent based printed products. There is also no need to laminate UV printed surfaces as, once cured, the ink remains hard and secure on the product. UV printers come in various forms and can be flatbed or roll to roll, offering a variety of potential substrates. Alternatives to UV printing include other printing techniques or stick on vinyl decals, however, by comparison other printing processes are prone to fading and wear with use and the edges of vinyl decals can catch and peel over time. This is particularly prevalent in products that are handled a lot in use. Repeatability and placement accuracy can also be issues present in products produced using these alternative methods. There therefore remains a need for an improved process and method of utilising UV printing techniques for producing a design on an article. Specifically, there remains a need for a UV printing process which can be used to produce accurate designs with a high level of repeatability and resistance to wear and fading through repeated use. More specifically, there remains a need for a UV printing process to create robust designs on articles that are frequently handled and moved during use. 5 The present invention provides an improved process for printing a design or image on the surface of an article using UV printing. The process may be used to print a wide range of different designs and images, hereafter collectively referred to as ‘designs’. Accordingly, the present invention provides a UV printing process for printing 10 a design onto one or more articles, the process comprising: providing a jig, the jig comprising one or more receptacles, wherein each receptacle is configured to receive one of the one or more articles; positioning the one or more articles in the one or more receptacles of the jig; positioning the jig on a bed of a UV printer; 15 depositing a UV curable ink onto each of the one or more articles; curing the UV curable ink on each of the one or more articles using UV light; and removing the one or more articles from the one or more receptacles of the jig. The UV printing process of the present invention offers a number of advantages over prior art techniques and methods for producing printed designs on products. Firstly, the process does not require complicated setup or specialist devices and works with standard UV printers that are readily available. The jig can be retrofitted to a wide variety of UV printer beds and presents a quick solution to alignment and positioning of the article. Furthermore, the resultant printed design on the article produced through the process of the present invention exhibits a high level of accuracy, resolution and clarity. The process offers a high level of repeatability between printed articles due to the positioning of the articles in the jig which ensures the articles are located in the same place relative to the printer bed during each printing cycle. Finally, the print produced through the process and method of the present invention offers a robust and high quality design which is advantageous on articles that are handled or repositioned a lot during use. As such, the UV printing process of the present invention has been found to be advantageous when used on a wide range of different articles. The present invention is particularly advantageous for producing designs on articles comprising magnets, especially for use on sports strategy and tactics boards. The UV printing process and methods of the present invention may be applied to any suitable product or article, including but not limited to magnets, markers, stationary, badges, labels, toys, accessories, or the like. The process and methods of the present invention find particular use in printing designs onto articles comprising magnets, especially for use on sports strategy and tactics boards. The article may have any suitable shape. In some embodiments the article has a two-dimensional shape, that is the article is a planar article having a length and a width with minimal thickness. Alternatively, the article may have a threedimensional shape, that is having a length, a width and a thickness. The length and / or width of the article may vary across the thickness of the article, or more preferably the length and / or width of the article remains constant across the thickness of the article. The thickness of the article may vary along the length and / or the width of the article, for example providing features or relief on one or more surfaces of the article. Alternatively, in one preferred embodiment, the thickness of the article is constant along the length and / or width of the article. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention the article has a first major surface to receive the UV printed design and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. The first and / or the second major surface may be planar, that is lie in a single plane. In one particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention the first and second major surfaces are parallel. The article may be any suitable shape. For example, the article may have a major surface on which the design is printed, which may be of any desired shape, such as circles, ellipses, or polygons, such as triangles, squares, or rectangles. In one preferred embodiment the article is in the shape of a sports shirt or t-shirt. The article preferably has a major length, being the longest distance measured across a major surface of the article in a first direction. The major length of the article may be at least 5 mm, more preferably at least 15mm, more preferably still at least 25 mm, still more preferably at least 30 mm, especially at least 35 mm. The major length of the article may be up to 150 mm, more preferably up to 100 mm, more preferably still up to 75 mm, still more preferably up to 60 mm, especially up to 55 mm. In one preferred embodiment, the major length of the article is from 40 to 50 mm, preferably from 43 to 47 mm, especially about 45 mm. The article preferably has a major width, being the longest distance measured across a major surface of the article in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. The major width of the article may be at least 5 mm, more preferably at least 15 mm, more preferably still at least 20 mm, still more preferably at least 25 mm, especially at least 30 mm. The major width of the article may be up to 150 mm, more preferably up to 100 mm, more preferably still up to 75 mm, still more preferably up to 60 mm, especially up to 50 mm. In one preferred embodiment, the major width of the article is from 35 to 45 mm, preferably from 38 to 42 mm, especially about40.2 mm. The article preferably has a thickness, being the distance measured in the direction extending perpendicular to the length and width of the article. The thickness of the article is preferably from 1 mm, more preferably from 2 mm, still more preferably from 2.5 mm, more preferably still from 3 mm, especially from 3.5 mm. The thickness of the article may be up to 50 mm, more preferably up to 30 mm, still more preferably up to 15 mm, more preferably still up to 10 mm, especially up to 8 mm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the thickness of the article is from 4 to 6 mm, preferably from 4.5 to 5.5 mm, especially about 5 mm. The article may be formed from any suitable material to serve as a substrate for the printed design. The article may comprise a laminate of two or more layers of one or more materials. The article is preferably in the form of a single body, for example a single sheet, of material. The article may be formed from any suitable material. The selection of the material may be determined by such factors as the end use of the article. The material may be rigid. Alternatively, the material may be flexible. The article is preferably formed from a synthetic material such as a synthetic rubber or polymer, more preferably a flexible or compressible polymer. Suitable polymers include polyethylene, polypropylene, and more preferably polyvinyl chloride, in particular soft polyvinyl chloride. The article may alternatively be formed from other suitable materials including but not limited to wood, metals or alloys thereof, composite materials, or resins. The material that the article is formed from may have any suitable hardness. The hardness of the material may be varied or consistent throughout the article. The Shore A hardness of the article is preferably from 0, more preferably from 10, still more preferably from 20, more preferably still from 30, especially from 35. The Shore A hardness of the article may be up to 100, more preferably up to 90, still more preferably up to 80, more preferably still up to 70, especially up to 65. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the Shore A hardness of the article is from 40 to 60, preferably from 45 to 55, especially about 50. The article may be any suitable colour. In some embodiments the article is white to create a blank surface for printing designs onto. In alternative embodiments the article has a colour, such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, grey, or combinations or variations thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the article comprises at least a portion that is formed from or comprises a magnetic material. The magnetic material may be incorporated into the material of the article during manufacture. Alternatively, the magnetic material may be formed as a separate component and attached to the article. In one embodiment, the article comprises a magnet as a component thereof. The magnetic material may be disposed at any suitable location in the article. In one preferred embodiment, the magnetic material is disposed at or adjacent a second major surface of the article, that is the major surface opposition a first major surface on which the design is printed. In one preferred embodiment, the magnetic material is in the form of a magnet component connected to a major surface of the article, preferably the second major surface of the article, that is the major surface opposing a first major surface on which the design is printed. The magnetic material may cover the entirety of the second major surface, or more preferably, a portion of the second major surface. The magnetic material may advantageously serve as a means of attaching the article to a suitable substrate, particularly a board, such as a sports strategy board. In embodiments comprising a magnet component, the magnet may have any suitable shape. The magnet preferably has a length, a width and a thickness. The length and width of the magnet may be on a major surface of the magnet having any suitable shape, such as circles, ellipses, or polygons, such as triangles, squares, or rectangles. In one embodiment the major surface of the magnet is the same or similar shape as the shape of the major surface of the article. In one particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention the major surface of the magnet is a similar shape to the major surface of the article, but with a smaller area such that the edges of the magnet are recessed from the edges of the major surface of the article. The recess of the edges of the magnet from the edges of the second major surface of the article is preferably uniform around the perimeter of the of the magnet. The recess may be at least 0.1 mm, more preferably at least 0.5 mm, more preferably still at least 0.75 mm, still more preferably at least 1 mm, especially at least 1.2 mm. The recess may be up to 5 mm, more preferably up to 3 mm, more preferably still up to 2.5 mm, still more preferably up to 2 mm, especially up to 1.8 mm. In one preferred embodiment, the recess is from 1.3 to 1.7 mm, preferably from 1.4 to 1.6 mm, especially about 1.5 mm. The recess advantageously provides an improved gripping portion around the edges of the article to allow a user to remove and place the article with greater ease, while still providing sufficient area for the magnet to be effective in holding the article in position. The magnet preferably has a thickness, being the distance measured in the direction extending perpendicular to the length and width of the magnet. The thickness of the magnet is preferably from 0.5 mm, more preferably from 0.6 mm, still more preferably from 0.7 mm, more preferably still from 0.8 mm, especially from 0.9 mm. The thickness of the magnet may be up to 5 mm, more preferably up to 4 mm, still more preferably up to 3 mm, more preferably still up to 2 mm, especially up to 1.5 mm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the thickness of the magnet is from 1 to 1.4 mm, preferably from 1.1 to 1.3 mm, especially about 1.2 mm. The magnet is preferably formed from a body of magnetic material connected to the second major surface of the article. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the magnet is formed from a single block or sheet of magnetic material. Alternatively, the magnet may be formed from a flexible composite material, such as a rubber or polymer comprising magnetic particles distributed throughout the material. The magnet may be attached to the second major surface of the article through any suitable means, for example by means of an adhesive joint or a mechanical fastening. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the magnet component comprises a solid body of magnetic material embedded into the article. The magnet may be embedded during forming of the article or may be inserted afterwards and retained through the use of an adhesive or a mechanical fastening. In a further alternative embodiment, the magnet comprises a plurality of magnetic particles distributed throughout a portion or the entirety of the article. The particles may be added to the article during the forming of the article or embedded into the article after it has been formed. The magnet or magnetic particles may be formed from any suitable magnetic material to allow the article to adhere to suitable materials. Suitable materials include any ferromagnetic metals such as nickel, cobalt, or more preferably, ferrous metals, for example iron, steel, or alloys thereof. The UV printing process of the present invention comprises the provision of a jig for holding the article to be printed. The jig fits onto the bed of a UV printer and has at least one cavity, compartment, hollow or recess, herein referred to as a ‘receptacle’ for brevity, for receiving the article to be printed. During the printing process the article is inserted into the receptacle of the jig with the surface to receive the design facing towards the ink application assembly of the UV printer. The article is held securely in position during printing by one or more interior surfaces of the receptacle. This ensures accuracy of the design on the printed article and ensures repeated prints are consistent. The jig is advantageous in repeatedly producing high quality prints, to high standards, and with a reduction in errors. In one preferred embodiment the jig has a plurality of receptacles to allow more than one article to be printed at the same time. The jig may have any number of receptacles. The number of receptacles may be at least 1, more preferably at least 3, more preferably still at least 6, still more preferably at least 8, especially at least 9. The number of receptacles may be up to 30, more preferably up to 25, more preferably still up to 20, still more preferably up to 18, especially up to 16. In one preferred embodiment, the number of receptacles is from 10 to 14, preferably from 11 to 13, especially about 12. Each receptacle may have any suitable shape. The shape of each receptacle may be different or, more preferably, each receptacle has the same shape. In one particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention each receptacle is in the form of a recess or cavity having the same shape as the article. Each receptacle may also have a depth. The depth may be greater than or equal to the thickness of the article. In one preferred embodiment the depth of the receptacle is less than the thickness of the article, such that, when the article is positioned in the receptacle, a portion of the article protrudes beyond the surface of the jig to provide a means for gripping the article and aiding in its removal from the receptacle of the jig. The depth of the receptacle is preferably from 0.5 mm, more preferably from 1 mm, still more preferably from 1.5 mm, more preferably still from 2 mm, especially from 2.5 mm. The depth of the receptacle may be up to 40 mm, more preferably up to 20 mm, still more preferably up to 10 mm, more preferably still up to 5 mm, especially up to 3.5 mm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the depth of the receptacle is from 2.8 to 3.2 mm, preferably from 2.9 to 3.1 mm, especially about 3 mm. The receptacle has a first aperture, through which the article is inserted into the receptacle. The first aperture is preferably the same shape as the article received by the receptacle, to allow the article to be inserted. The receptacle may also be provided with a second aperture, allowing an implement to be inserted through the second aperture to aid in removing the article from the receptacle after the article is printed. In one embodiment, the receptacle comprises a base and the second aperture is formed in the base. The second aperture is preferably smaller than the cross section of the article, for example such that the article remains supported by the base of the receptacle. The second aperture may have any suitable shape, such as a triangle, square, rectangle, ellipse or more preferably a circle. In an alternative embodiment the second aperture is a similar shape to the shape of a major surface of the article. The jig may have any suitable shape. Preferably, the jig is square or rectangular, more preferably rectangular. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the jig extends parallel to the bed of the UV printer in the first direction and the width of the jig extends parallel to the bed of the UV printer in the second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. The length of the jig may be least 25 mm, more preferably at least 75 mm, still more preferably at least 100 mm, especially at least 125 mm. The length of the jig may be up to 300 mm, more preferably up to 200 mm, still more preferably up to 175 mm. In one preferred embodiment, the length of the jig is from 140 to 160 mm, preferably from 145 to 155 mm, especially about 150 mm. The width of the jig may be least 25 mm, more preferably at least 100 mm, still more preferably at least 150 mm, especially at least 175 mm. The width of the jig may be up to 350 mm, more preferably up to 250 mm, still more preferably up to 225 mm. In one preferred embodiment, the width of the jig is from 190 to 210 mm, preferably from 195 to 205 mm, especially about 200 mm. The jig may have an aspect ratio, that is, the ratio of its length to its width. The aspect ratio may be less than 1, equal to 1 or greater than 1. The aspect ratio of the jig is preferably from 0.1, more preferably from 0.2, still more preferably from 0.3, more preferably still from 0.4, especially from 0.5. The aspect ratio may be up to 3, more preferably up to 2.5, still more preferably up to 2, more preferably still up to 1.5, especially up to 1. Ina preferred embodiment of the present invention the aspect ratio of the jig is from 0.6 to 0.9, preferably from 0.7 to 0.8, especially about 0.75. The jig preferably has a depth, being the distance measured in the direction extending perpendicular to the bed of the UV printer. The depth of the jig is preferably from 1 mm, more preferably from 3 mm, still more preferably from 5 mm, more preferably still from 6 mm, especially from 7 mm. The depth of the jig may be up to 50 mm, more preferably up to 30 mm, still more preferably up to 25 mm, more preferably still up to 20 mm, especially up to 15 mm. Ina preferred embodiment of the present invention the depth of the jig is from 8 to 12 mm, preferably from 9 to 11 mm, especially about 10 mm. The jig may be formed from any suitable material. In one preferred embodiment, the jig is formed from rigid plastic. Suitable rigid plastics include polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or more preferably, polymethyl methacrylate (acrylic). The jig may alternatively be formed from any suitable metal including steel, such as stainless steel, and more preferably lighter metals, such as aluminium and its alloys. The jig may, as another alternative, be formed from any other suitable non-metallic materials, for example wood and composite materials, such as fibre reinforced plastics. The jig is mounted to the bed of the UV printer during the UV printing process. The jig may be held in place on the bed of the printer through any suitable means. The jig may be held in place permanently through the use of adhesives or mechanical fastenings such as rivets. More preferably a non-permanent means of holding the jig in place is used, to allow the jig to be swapped in and out as required, for example through the use of friction or releasable mechanical fastenings, such as bolts, screws, clips, stops, slots or the like. The UV printing process of the present invention involves the application of ink onto an article being printed and the curing of the ink through the use of UV light. Suitable UV curable inks are known in the art and the process and methods of the present invention are applicable for use with various types of UV curable ink. In some embodiments, when in use, the articles to be printed are loaded into the receptacles of the jig and the jig is positioned on the UV printer bed. The UV printer is used to print and cure the articles, after which the jig is removed from the printer bed and the articles removed from the receptacles of the jig. In alternative embodiments, the jig may be positioned on the UV printer bed first and the articles then loaded in to the receptacles of the jig. After printing and curing the articles, the articles may be removed without removing the jig from the printer bed, allowing another set of articles to be loaded into the jig and the process repeated, as required. In one particularly preferred embodiment the present invention is used to print sports team shirt designs onto articles for use on sports tactics and strategy boards. The UV printing process allows for the printing of detailed, high-quality replica sports team shirt designs on the articles. In one preferred embodiment a number of articles are printed to form a set. Each article in the set corresponds to a player position in the team and each article has the respective design of the team player’s shirt, including for example, their name, position, number, or the like. The process and methods of the present invention ensure the articles closely match the team's actual shirts and can include club badges, sponsor logos, and player identifiers. The articles in the set preferably comprise magnets as previously described and can be placed on a magnetic board representing the layout of the sports field. The articles can be used to mark the positions of the relative players on the field during strategy and tactics planning sessions. The base colour of the article can be chosen in accordance with the base colour of the team sports shirt being printed. The extra details, such as club logos, sponsors, and player identifiers can then be printed onto the base colour of the article. This reduces the amount of ink required and ensures the base colour of the article is consistent on all sides. In a further aspect, the present invention provides a jig for receiving one or more articles, the jig comprising one or more receptacles, wherein each receptacle is configured to receive one of the one or more articles and wherein the jig is configured to be located on a bed of a UV printer. Further details of the article, jig, and UV printer are as described hereinbefore for the first aspect of the present invention. In a further aspect, the present invention provides a UV printer for printing a design on one or more articles, the UV printer comprising a jig for receiving one or more articles, wherein the jig comprises one or more receptacles, wherein each receptacle is configured to receive one of the one or more articles and wherein the jig is configured to be located on a bed of the UV printer. Further details of the article, jig, and UV printer are as described hereinbefore for the first aspect of the present invention. In a further aspect, the present invention provides an article having a design applied by a UV printer, wherein the article is obtainable by a process according to the first aspect of the present invention. Further details of the article, jig, and UV printer are as described hereinbefore for the first aspect of the present invention. In a further aspect, the present invention provides a set of components for use with a UV printer comprising a jig and one or more articles to be printed, wherein the jig comprises one or more receptacles, wherein each receptacle is configured to receive one of the one or more articles and wherein the jig is configured to be located on a bed of the UV printer. Further details of the article, jig, and UV printer are as described hereinbefore for the first aspect of the present invention. 5 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a diagrammatical representation of one embodiment of the process for UV printing a design on an article; 10 Figure 2a illustrates a plan view of a blank article according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2b illustrates a perspective view of the top of the blank article of Figure 2a; Figure 3a illustrates a plan view of a printed article according to one 15 embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3b illustrates a perspective view of the top of the printed article of Figure 3a; Figure 4a illustrates a bottom up view of the printed article of Figure 3a; Figure 4b illustrates a perspective view of the bottom of the printed article of Figure 3a; Figure 5 illustrates a plan view of a jig for receiving one or more articles to be printed according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a receptacle in the jig of Figure 5 for receiving a blank article to be printed according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of a blank article loaded into the receptacle in the jig of Figure 6; Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of a printed article being removed from the receptacle in the jig of Figure 6 according to one embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of a UV printer with the jig of Figure 5 positioned on a bed of the UV printer. Turning now to Figure 1, there is shown a diagrammatical representation of one embodiment of the process for UV printing a design on an article, such as an article 2 as shown in Figures 2a to 4b. The first step is the loading of the article or articles into the jig followed by the securing of the jig to the UV printer bed. The design to be printed is either loaded or sent to the UV printer memory and the UV printing parameters are selected in known manner. The UV printer is then set to run and the ink is deposited onto the blank article or articles. UV light is then passed over the printed area to cure the ink design onto the article or articles, again in known manner. The jig is then removed from the UV printer bed and the articles removed from the jig. The process can then be repeated with another batch of articles. Turning now to Figure 2a, there is shown a plan view of a blank article 2, before it is printed using the process shown in Figure 1. The article 2 has a first major surface 4 for receiving a UV printed design. The article 2 is made from soft PVC and has a cross section in the shape of a sports t-shirt. The article 2 has a major length of 45 mm, major width of 40.2 mm, and a thickness of 5 mm. Figure 2b shows a perspective view of the top of the blank article 2. Turning now to Figure 3a, there is shown a plan view of the article 2 after the first major surface 4 has received a printed design. The printed design comprises a team pattern 6, a player name 8, and a player number 10. Other elements that are not shown may also be present in the printed design, including but not limited to club badges, logos, team names, sponsors, or the like. The printed design on the first major surface 4 is used to indicate the name 8 and number 10 of a particular player on a sports field, for example in a game of football. The printed article 2 may be produced multiple times with differing names, numbers, or designs. In some embodiments a plurality of printed articles 2 may be produced to form a set, with each article 2 having a name 8 and number 10 of a corresponding player in a sports team. Figure 3b shows a perspective view of the top of the printed article 2. Turning now to Figure 4a, there is shown a bottom up view of the printed article 2. The article 2 further comprises a second major surface 12 opposite the first major surface 4 and a magnet 20 connected to the second major surface 12. The shape of the magnet 20 is a similar shape to the article 2 with a smaller area such that the edges of the magnet 20 are recessed from the edges of the second major surface 12 of the article 2. The edges of the magnet 20 are recessed by about 1.5 mm. The magnet 20 is made from a single rigid body of iron alloy and has a thickness of 1.2 mm. The magnet 20 is mounted to the second major surface 12 of the article 2 by an adhesive. The magnet 20 allows the printed article 2 to be placed on a magnetic sports strategy or tactics board to indicate the position of a corresponding player. Figure 4b shows a perspective view of the bottom of the printed article 2. Turning now to Figure 5, there is shown a plan view of a jig 100 for receiving and securing one or more articles 2 to be printed according to one embodiment of the present invention. The jig 100 can be placed on the bed of a UV printer and comprises twelve identical receptacles 110. Each receptacle 110 is shaped accordingly to receive a blank article 2, through a first aperture 115. When a blank article 2 is loaded into the receptacle 110, through the first aperture 115, the jig 100 securely holds the article 2 in position during printing. The printed article 2 is then removed from the jig 100. The twelve receptacles 110 allow twelve articles 2 to be printed during one operation. A second aperture 120 is provided at the base of each receptacle 110 such that the article 2 is held in position during printing but can be removed after printing by pushing an implement 140 (not shown in Figure 5) through the second aperture 120. Turning now to Figure 6, there is shown a perspective view of one receptacle 110 in the jig 100 for receiving and securing the blank article 2 to be printed. The receptacle 110 has the same shape as the article 2 and a depth of 3 mm. The first aperture 115 of the receptacle 110 allows the insertion of the blank article 2 into the receptacle 110. The second aperture 120 is positioned at the base of the receptacle. Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the blank article 2 loaded into the receptacle 110 in the jig 100. The article 2 is inserted into the receptacle 110 through the first aperture 115. The inner walls of the receptacle 110 secures the article 2 in place and the bottom of the receptacle 110 supports the article during printing. The depth of the receptacle 110 is less than the thickness of the article 2, such that the article 2 protrudes from the top surface of the jig 100, through the first aperture 115. This can aid in removal of the article 2 by providing a gripping region around the article 2. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the printed article 2 being removed from the receptacle 110 in the jig 100. An implement 140 can be extended through the second aperture 120 to aid in removing the article 2 by pushing the article 2 out of the receptacle 110 through the first aperture 115. Turning now to Figure 9, there is shown a perspective view of a UV printer, generally indicated as 200. The jig 100 is positioned on the bed 210 of the UV printer 200. During operation the printer head 220 travels laterally side to side along the X axis guide 230 and the X axis guide 230 travels longitudinally forward and backward along the Y axis guides 240, allowing the printer head to access all areas of the bed 210, as is known in the art. In this manner, the printer head 220 passes over the jig 100 to deposit ink onto the first major surface 4 of each blank article 2. The UV light (not visible in Figure 9) in the printer head 220 then cures the deposited ink to harden it in place on the article 2. The internal memory (not shown in Figure 9) of the UV printer 200 either receives or stores the design data and the printing parameters and operation are controlled using the control panel 250. The present invention has been illustrated by way of the embodiment of an article in the shape of a sports shirt and receiving a printed design for a sports team. It is to be understood that this is merely one example of the use of the present invention, which can be used to print a design on a wide range of articles in a wide 5 range of different shapes, including those with a three dimensional form or relief on the major surface being printed.

Claims

1. A UV printing process for printing a design onto one or more articles, the process comprising:providing a jig on a bed of a UV printer, the jig comprising one or more receptacles, wherein each receptacle is configured to receive one of the one or more articles;positioning the one or more articles in the one or more receptacles of the jig; depositing a UV curable ink onto each of the one or more articles;curing the UV curable ink on each of the one or more articles using UV light;andremoving the one or more articles from the one or more receptacles of the jig.

2. The UV printing process according to claim 1, wherein each of the one or more articles comprises a magnet.

3. The UV printing process according to claim 2, wherein each of the one or more articles comprises a first major surface for receiving the printed design, and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, wherein the magnet of each of the one or more articles is connected to the second major surface of each of the one or more articles.

4. The UV printing process according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the one or more articles is in the shape of a sports t-shirt.

5. The UV printing process according to claim 4, wherein the design printed on each of the one or more articles represents a sports team shirt design.

6. The UV printing process according to claim 5, wherein the design printed on each of the one or more articles comprises, a team badge, logo, player identification number, player name, or any combination thereof.

7. The UV printing process according to any preceding claim, wherein the jig comprises a plurality of receptacles.

8. The UV printing process according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of articles are received by the jig and printed at the same time.

9. A jig for receiving one or more articles, the jig comprising one or more receptacles, wherein each receptacle is configured to receive one of the one or more articles and wherein the jig is configured to be located on a bed of a UV printer.

10. The jig according to claim 9, wherein each of the one or more receptacles of the jig has a similar shape to a shape of the one or more articles.

11. The jig according to either of claims 9 or 10, wherein each of the one or more receptacles of the jig comprises a first aperture through which the article is received, a base, and a second aperture for aiding in removal of the article, wherein the second aperture is formed in the base of the receptacle.

12. The jig according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein each of the one or more receptacles has a depth, wherein the depth of the one or more receptacles is less than a thickness of the one or more articles.

13. The jig according to any of claims 9 to 12 wherein the jig comprises a plurality of receptacles.

14. A UV printer for printing a design on one or more articles, the UV printer comprising a jig according to any of claims 9 to 13.

15. An article having a design applied by a UV printer, wherein the article is obtainable by a process according to any of claims 1 to 8.

16. A set of com ponents for use with a UV printer com prising a jig according to any of claims 9 to 13 and one or more articles to be printed.

17. The set of components according to claim 16, wherein each of the one or more articles comprises a magnet.

18. The set of components according to either of claims 16 or 17, wherein each of the one or more articles is in the shape of a sports t-shirt.

19. The set of components according to claim 18, wherein a design representing a sports team shirt design is printed on each of the one or more articles.

20. The set of components according to claim 19, wherein the design printed on each of the one or more articles comprises, a team badge, logo, player identification number, player name, or any combination thereof.

21. The set of components according to any of claims 16 to 20, wherein the set of components comprises a plurality of articles.

22. The set of components according to claims 20 and 21, wherein the design printed on each article corresponds to the design on a sports team shirt of a player in a sports team.

23. The set of components according to claim 22, wherein the design printed on each article corresponds to the design on the sports team shirt of a different player in the sports team.

24. A display comprising a set of articles according to claim 15.A

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