01 / Company Direct Color Systems overview

The company that made
texture and Braille printable.

DCS industrial UV flatbed printers print directly onto acrylic, wood, glass, metal and plastics, and are built around two patented capabilities that most flatbeds do not have: TEXTUR3D raised and embossed printing, and ADA compliant Braille signage.

Origin Connecticut, USA

Engineered and manufactured in the United States.

Reputation Textured and Braille leader

A recognised leader in detailed textured and Braille UV printing.

Engineering Patented technologies

The expert engineers behind DCS developed patented technologies such as TEXTUR3D and ADA / Braille printing.

Output Direct to substrate

Prints directly on substrates with high precision, textured and tactile finishes.

Direct Color Systems UV flatbed printing application
Single pass, raised output

Colour, white and clear are laid down together in one pass. The tonal value of the artwork decides the height, so the print is not just an image on the surface. It becomes the surface.

02 / Specialisation Why DCS and not a standard flatbed

Two things others cannot do.

Patented

TEXTUR3D raised and embossed printing

Colour, white and clear print together in a single pass, and the tonal value of the artwork controls the height. That gives real relief you can run your hand across, not a simulated shadow effect.

  • Raised logos, patterns and lettering
  • Embossed and debossed effects
  • Gloss, matte and textured finishes
  • Fine detail held at high resolution
Patented

ADA compliant Braille signage

DCS pioneered printing ADA and Braille signage with UV LED inkjet. Raised characters and Braille domes are printed in the same job as the artwork, with no separate raster beads, no engraving and no tooling.

  • Raised tactile characters
  • Braille domes printed in place
  • Wayfinding, room and facility signage
  • Short runs and one off replacements
03 / Machines The range

Four flatbeds. One technology.

The same print quality and the same capabilities at four different bed sizes. The choice comes down to the size and weight of what you print, and how much of it.

UV21

Small
DCS UV21 UV flatbed printer

Small multi purpose, industrial grade UV flatbed printer.

Print area44 × 61 cm
Max height18 cm
Substrate weight8 kg

UV32

Intermediate
DCS UV32 UV flatbed printer

Intermediate multi purpose, industrial grade UV flatbed printer.

Print area60 × 90 cm
Max height32 cm
Substrate weight32 kg

UV44

Medium
DCS UV44 UV flatbed printer

Medium multi purpose, optimised industrial grade UV flatbed printer.

Print area130 × 130 cm
Max height30.5 cm
Substrate weight111.4 kg

UV84

Large
DCS UV84 UV flatbed printer

Large high performance industrial printer.

Print area250 × 130 cm
Max height30.5 cm
Substrate weight193 kg
04 / Comparison DCS product comparison

Side by side.

FeatureUV 21UV 32UV 44UV 84 Gen2
Max print area44 × 61 cm60 × 90 cm130 × 130 cm250 × 130 cm
Print height (Z)18 cm32 cm30.5 cm30.5 cm
Max substrate size62 × 55 cm62 × 92 cm150 × 150 cm (2.25 m²)260 × 150 cm (3.90 m²)
Total substrate weight capacity8 kg32 kg111.4 kg193.0 kg
Print headsChromasphere Piezo (5–12 pL)Chromasphere Piezo (5–12 pL)4 × Ricoh Gen65 × Ricoh Gen6
ResolutionUp to 720 × 2400 dpiUp to 720 × 1200 dpiUp to 726 × 2400 dpiUp to 726 × 2400 dpi
Ink coloursCMYK + White + Clear
Power requirements20A, 220–240V20A, 220–240V2 × 30A, 220–240V2 × 30A, 220–240V
Best use casePromo items, gifts, ADA micro jobsSmall awards, medium signageADA braille, décor, wood and metal sheetsLarge format industrial production
05 / Numbers DCS insights and ROI

Run your own numbers.

Set your shift pattern and a realistic efficiency, then enter your own selling price per square metre. The output figures come from the production table below.

Net output per day0
Net output per hour0
Output per month0
Gross margin per day0
Gross margin per month0

Gross margin only. Labour, maintenance, spare parts, consumables beyond ink, rent, finance cost and rejects are not included. Selling price and ink cost vary by application, so replace the default values with your own.

Production table at rated speed
CategoryDCS 21DCS 32DCS 44DCS 84
Production per hour4.5 m²5 m²8 m²10 m²
Production per 8 hour shift36 m²40 m²64 m²80 m²
Production per 16 hour, two shifts72 m²80 m²128 m²160 m²

These are rated production figures. Real output depends on artwork, ink coverage, number of layers, texture height, loading and changeover. Textured and ADA work runs slower than flat colour work because more ink is laid down.

06 / Applications Produced on DCS by PRO TECHnology

What it produces.

Accessible signage and Braille printing by PRO TECHnology for inclusive environments
Braille signage
Accessible signage and Braille printing by PRO TECHnology for inclusive environments
Accessible signage
PRO TECHnology government signage UAE compliant signage solutions
Government signage
Custom signage printing solutions by PRO TECHnology for unique applications
Custom signage
07 / FAQ Frequently asked questions

Before you invest.

What materials can DCS UV printers print on?

DCS printers can print on a wide range of materials including wood, glass, metal, acrylic, plastics, leather, and various promotional items.

Do surfaces require pre-treatment before printing?

In many cases, DCS UV printers can print directly without pre-treatment. However, for certain materials, a primer may be recommended to improve adhesion.

What is direct-to-surface UV printing?

It is a process where UV curable inks are printed directly onto a substrate and instantly cured using UV light, resulting in durable and high quality prints.

Are DCS UV prints durable?

Yes, prints are highly durable, resistant to scratches, fading, and environmental exposure, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

What types of inks are used in DCS printers?

DCS uses high quality UV curable inks designed for strong adhesion, vibrant colour output, and long lasting performance.

Do the inks require drying time?

No, UV inks cure instantly under UV light, which eliminates drying time and speeds up production.

Can DCS printers handle high-volume production?

Yes, DCS systems are designed for both short runs and high volume production with consistent output quality.

Is white ink printing supported?

Yes, DCS printers support white ink, allowing printing on dark or transparent surfaces with excellent opacity.

How detailed are the prints?

DCS printers deliver high resolution output with sharp details, making them ideal for intricate designs and fine text.

Can cylindrical or irregular objects be printed?

Yes, with the appropriate attachments or setups, DCS printers can handle a variety of shapes including cylindrical items.

What kind of maintenance is required?

Routine maintenance includes printhead cleaning and basic system checks to ensure consistent performance and longevity.

Is training provided for operating the printer?

Yes, we provide training and support to ensure users can operate the printers efficiently and confidently.

What industries commonly use DCS printers?

DCS printers are widely used in promotional products, signage, industrial printing, packaging, and custom manufacturing.

Next step

Expand your production capabilities.

Bring raised, textured and ADA compliant printing into your production. Book a demonstration at our Dubai facility, or send your material and we will print it, test it and report back.