Mimaki UV printed black notebook

How to Print onto Coloured Notebooks – A Beginner’s Guide to UV Flatbed Printing

Personalising Notebooks? Here’s How to Get Started

Whether for corporate gifting, retail merchandise or bespoke stationery, customising notebooks is a high-demand print application. But printing onto dark or coloured covers isn’t as straightforward as it seems – especially if you’re aiming for colour accuracy and fine detail. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting great results, and how Mimaki’s UV printers with white ink can help you deliver.

Why Notebook Printing Needs Special Attention

Many notebook covers – particularly those made of kraft paper, PU leather, recycled board or coated card – aren’t white or uniform. Printing directly onto them with CMYK inks alone can cause colours to shift, or worse, disappear altogether. This is where high-opacity white ink becomes your best tool.

Step-by-Step: How to Print Onto Coloured Notebooks

  1. Choose the Right Notebook
    Select a notebook that’s compatible with UV printing. Flat surfaces work best, although curved or cylindrical spines can be printed with the right setup.
  2. Prepare Your Artwork
    Set up your design in vector or high-resolution format. Define any white areas or underlayers clearly – this will be your base for colour clarity.
  3. Position and Secure the Notebook
    Place the notebook flat on the UV printer’s bed. With Mimaki’s UJF Series printers, you can print multiple items at once by creating a jig for precise alignment.
  4. Print Using White + Colour Layers
    Mimaki’s UV printer will first lay down a layer of white ink, creating an opaque canvas. Then, CMYK inks are printed over the top to produce vibrant, colour-accurate designs – even on dark or textured surfaces.
  5. Cure Instantly with UV Light
    The printer uses UV LEDs to cure the ink as it prints, so your notebook is dry and ready to handle immediately.
  6. Check and Finish
    Inspect the print for clarity and alignment. Depending on the material, a clear varnish or textured effect can be added for a premium finish.
Three brightly coloured notebooks all printed with the Mimaki UJF printer

Why Mimaki’s White Ink Makes the Difference

Mimaki’s white UV ink offers dense coverage without bleeding or feathering, even on fibrous or uneven materials.

This ensures text stays legible, colours stay sharp, and the final product meets commercial standards. Combined with excellent adhesion and instant curing, it’s the ideal choice for custom stationery work.

Mimaki Tip

Use clear Mimaki ink to highlight areas of the design, add texture or even Braille, elevating the creative and practical elements of your printed notebooks!

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