Think UV DTF is just for promo items? Think again. Learn how shops are using it to print on everything from boxes to wall art, and boost their bottom line.
UV DTF (direct-to-film) and UV (ultraviolet) printing technology empower you to create vibrant, durable graphics on hard goods such as drinkware, awards, signage, packaging, and personalized gifts.
Instead of outsourcing promo items or packaging jobs, shops are keeping that business in-house, using one or two compact UV DTF printers to diversify revenue and attract new clients. From personalized packaging and branded hard goods to high-margin promotional items and signage, the technology is opening doors to entirely new products and markets.
Diversification Powers Smart Growth
For print shops, expanding into new markets isn’t just about “adding more products.” Offering unique and customizable hard goods and awards can give you an immediate competitive edge and broaden your customer base. Personalized options that attract customers who want custom printing solutions also position your business as a one-stop shop for customization across a full spectrum of products, from promotional items to awards and signs.
Many shops are also facing shrinking margins due to rising labor, material, and energy costs that erode profits. Additionally, in a speed-of-Amazon world, customers expect faster turnarounds and customization as the norm, rather than an extra, across all types of branded products, from packaging and signage to gifts and décor.
The stats back this up, with 75% of Gen Zers and 59% of overall online buyers saying they’d rather buy from brands that offer personalization. The U.S. personalized gifts market is also projected to grow from $9.7 billion to $14.6 billion in 2030. This demand for one-off, high-quality custom hard goods is creating opportunities for shops with UV and UV DTF capabilities.
These are some of the benefits of diversifying your product lineup in different markets:
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Diversification reduces reliance on one market. Rather than servicing only schools or first responders, your shop can weather economic turmoil better by serving multiple industries.
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Opens new revenue streams and cushions against less-busy seasons. If you take the time to research and expand into new markets, you’ll increase your profitability even when other shops slow down.
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Increases adaptability to consumer trends and boosts brand reputation. When you work with more than one or two markets, you’re better positioned to understand and deliver what buyers want.
Because UV DTF prints on virtually any non-porous surface, glass, metal, acrylic, or plastic, it’s an easy gateway into high-demand, higher-margin products. With one or two compact Arcus printer systems, shops can say “yes” to work that once required outsourcing.
Let’s examine where the most significant growth is occurring, and why categories like custom packaging are driving the trend.
6 Ways to Diversify with UV DTF Printing
Your next big profit stream isn’t apparel, it’s everything else. See how UV and UV DTF printers help shops expand into packaging, drinkware, signage, and more.
1. Custom Packaging: Boxes, Bags, Labels, Sleeves
Packaging has morphed from a protective layer to a brand experience. E-commerce growth and shipping direct-to-consumer are fueling a demand for short-run, custom boxes, sleeves, and labels. Social sharing has transformed unboxing experiences into a powerful marketing tool for viral word-of-mouth exposure. The personalized packaging market is worth $38.4 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $66.8 billion by 2034, offering numerous growth opportunities for print shops.
UV and UV DTF printing produce vibrant, full-color, textured graphics on non-porous surfaces like coated boxes, acrylic sleeves, and product labels, with these advantages:
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With instant UV curing, prints are dry and durable immediately, ideal for fast turnarounds.
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UV allows short-run customization without high setup costs or minimums, unlike screen or offset printing.
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Print high-resolution designs with raised textures, gloss effects, and spot finishes, giving even smaller businesses a premium look.
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Create coordinated packaging across materials because transfers adhere to cardboard, plastic, metal tins, or coated bags.
Print shops don’t need to become a “packaging supplier.” You can just add packaging decoration as a fast, profitable, and repeatable service for existing orders.
Your opportunity: With an Arcus printer, decorators can deliver high-end packaging with short turnaround times. Target small e-commerce brands, subscription boxes, boutique retailers, coffee roasters, and cosmetics companies.
2. Drinkware: Tumblers, Mugs, Bottles, Glassware
Drinkware is one of the fastest-growing niches in the printing and personalization industry. The global drinkware market was valued at $35.1 billion in 2024, with a projected growth rate of 5.7% CAGR through 2030. The rapidly growing demand is partly due to buyers' desire for practical, reusable, and sustainable products, such as drinkware that also keeps them hydrated 24/7.
UV DTF is a trend-forward, practical method for decorating tumblers, cups, and glassware, which offers these benefits:
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Creates scratch- and water-resistant prints that withstand daily use and handwashing, offering better durability than vinyl.
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Produces vibrant, photo-quality color and full-wrap designs on curved or smooth surfaces.
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The peel-and-stick process eliminates the learning curve of sublimation or powder-based transfers.
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UV adheres to a variety of materials (metal, glass, acrylic, coated plastics), so shops can expand their product line easily.
Your opportunity: Customization turns everyday drinkware into high-perceived-value gifts or merch. Pitch drinkware for corporate gift programs, colleges, sports teams, breweries, and wedding/event planners. It’s a great upsell item for existing clients who order apparel or promotional bundles.
3. Promotional Hard Goods: Phone Cases, Keychains, Pens, Tech Accessories
Promo products remain a major part of the branded merch industry because they offer a low cost for high volume, providing an excellent ROI for advertisers who spend a fraction of a cent per impression. These items, such as keychains, pens, tech accessories, and phone cases, keep brand messages in front of users through daily use.
UV and UV DTF printing make it easy to decorate a wide range of promotional materials, including plastic, acrylic, leatherette, wood, and coated metals, allowing for a diverse variety of products. In addition:
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You can print directly on flat or slightly curved items such as keychains, pens, and phone cases, all with great detail and vibrant colors.
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Instant UV curing produces scratch- and fade-resistant graphics that withstand daily handling, making them ideal for high-touch products such as tech accessories or promotional keychains.
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UV DTF supports photo-quality graphics and texture options, enabling shops to elevate the perceived value of standard promotional items.
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Short-run flexibility enables decorators to produce small batches quickly, making it ideal for local businesses, trade shows, and one-off campaigns.
Your opportunity: Promotional hard goods are a natural expansion for shops that already produce apparel or signage; these same customers likely need branded accessories and giveaways. Common buyers include businesses, schools, colleges, healthcare, nonprofits, and event organizers. They use promotional items for a wide range of purposes, including giveaways, recruiting, donor appreciation, brand awareness, and fundraising.
4. Signage and Displays: Indoor/Outdoor Signs, POP Displays, Acrylic Boards
Signage remains one of the most profitable areas for decorators, bringing a higher ticket value, repeat seasonal demand, and a constant need for brand visibility. Since first impressions matter in signage, UV DTF lets you produce vibrant, durable, and cost-effective graphics across a wide range of surfaces, from retail displays to exhibition signage.
There’s a growing demand for short-run, custom signage as brands refresh their visuals more often and personalize displays for campaigns or events. Additionally, UV DTF’s flexibility also supports interior design and décor applications, so you can easily produce branded wall art, acrylic signs, and directional signage.
UV DTF combines full-color, high-resolution graphics with instant curing, so prints are ready for use immediately. In addition, this decoration method is:
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Compatible with flat, curved, and textured surfaces, including acrylic, glass, metal, and plastic, without needing special coatings or pre-treatment.
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Weather- and fade-resistant, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor signage.
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Conducive to producing lots of product types, including storefront window decals, backlit display graphics, custom wall art, directional or safety signage, and event or promotional displays
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All about texture or gloss effects for a more dimensional, professional finish, an easy way to differentiate from low-cost vinyl or printed foam board.
Your opportunity: Arcus printers give decorators the precision, curing power, and flexibility to expand into signage without outsourcing to large-format shops. You can sell signage to local retailers, restaurants, coffee shops, trade show exhibitors, event planners, and even corporate offices. With applications ranging from custom wall branding to point-of-purchase (POP) displays and personalized acrylic décor, you can score higher average order values and repeat business.
5. Awards and Personalized Gifts: Plaques, Trophies, Ornaments, Décor
Personalized gifts and awards are high margin because they combine emotional value with personalization, for keepsakes that mark milestones. Buyers, such as schools, sports leagues, corporations, and gift shops, are more willing to pay a higher price for a unique commemorative or celebratory item.
UV and UV DTF printing excel in delivering high-quality color, detail, and durability across a diverse range of substrates, including wood, acrylic, glass, ceramic, and metal. In addition, this decorating method excels here because:
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Adhesive decals conform to odd shapes and textured surfaces, like plaques, trophies, awards, or ornaments, that traditional engraving or sublimation can’t handle.
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UV DTF enables full-color, high-resolution designs without masking, weeding, or lengthy setup times, unlike engraving (limited to one color) or sublimation (restricted to coated blanks).
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It offers exceptional adhesion and durability, allowing for printing and application within minutes.
Your opportunity: Arcus UV and UV DTF systems give shops the flexibility to produce awards, gifts, and keepsakes in-house quickly and profitably. You can sell one-off awards, team trophies, seasonal ornaments, and custom recognition plaques to schools, sports teams, corporations, and gift retailers.
6. Home and Lifestyle: Coasters, Cutting Boards, Wall Décor, Candles, Tiles
With personalization driving significant demand, it’s no surprise that home and lifestyle décor have become the next big opportunity for UV and UV DTF printers.
The U.S. home décor market is valued at $33.5 billion in 2025 and growing steadily, with custom and handmade goods leading the charge. Consumers, especially Gen Z, want décor that feels authentic and personal, rather than mass-produced. Platforms like Etsy and Amazon Handmade have made this personalization mainstream, driving demand for unique pieces, such as coasters, cutting boards, wall art, pet décor, and candles.
UV and UV DTF can print on wood, ceramic, acrylic, glass, and coated stone, all common home goods materials. In addition, this imprint method is great for décor because:
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Instant curing supports fast, small-batch runs.
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Full-color, textured effects look engraved or embossed for a premium look.
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Durable finishes resist scratching, fading, and wear.
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Perfect for custom names, monograms, and one-off gifts that sell well online or in boutiques.
Your opportunity: Arcus printers make it easy to produce boutique-quality décor in-house, eliminating the need for outsourcing. Target Etsy sellers, interior designers, retailers, wedding vendors, and event planners. One printer setup enables decorators to transform ordinary blanks into personalized décor that commands higher prices.
From packaging to décor, UV and UV DTF printers unlock new revenue streams for every type of shop.
The Bottom Line on UV DTF Expansion
If you’re ready to move beyond apparel and capture new revenue, Arcus Printers makes diversification simple.
Our UV and UV DTF printers are designed for versatility, printing vibrant, durable graphics on a wide range of materials, including packaging, drinkware, signage, awards, and décor. With instant UV curing, precise color control, and long-lasting adhesion on materials like glass, metal, and acrylic, you can expand your product lineup without increasing your footprint.
Whether you’re adding short-run packaging or full-color promo items, Arcus systems give you the speed, reliability, and flexibility to say yes to more business.
Learn more about how Arcus printers can open new doors for your shop at ArcusPrinters.com.
