Add Full Color and White Ink to Everything You Make — In a Compact UV Printer That Takes Care of Itself.
The OMTech Spectra A3+ Single-Head is a compact A3+ flatbed UV printer with one Epson F1080 printhead, CMYKWW ink channels, 720 × 1440 DPI output, 5.5" media height clearance, IR automatic height sensing, a vacuum hold-down table, 3D embossing up to 5mm, and automated maintenance.
Built for personalization businesses, laser shops, print studios, and makers who want professional UV printing on acrylic, wood, metal, leather, glass, and 300+ other materials without the complexity or cost of industrial-scale equipment.
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Single Head or Dual Head — Choosing the Right Configuration
The OMTech Spectra A3+ is available in both single-head and dual-head configurations. Understanding the difference helps you make the right choice before you order.
The single-head version (this machine) uses one Epson F1080 printhead with CMYKWW ink channels — full color plus two white-ink channels for white underprinting and overprinting. It is the right configuration for businesses entering UV printing for the first time, for creators and personalization studios with moderate daily print volume, and for laser businesses adding color output to their workflow without over-investing in dual-head capacity.
The dual-head version adds a second Epson F1080 printhead, a Varnish (V) channel for localized gloss coating, two UV lamps, higher production output, and the Hoson N10 controller. It's the configuration for production shops that need spot gloss finishes and higher throughput alongside full-color and white-ink printing.
For most personalization businesses, laser shops, and studios printing at one to several dozen pieces per day — the single-head is the appropriate starting point, and a strong one.
What the Spectra A3+ Prints — The Full Capability Range
Full-color CMYK printing (720 × 1440 DPI): Up to 99% true-color reproduction for branded products, artwork, photographs, and detailed graphics — at 4.5 pL minimum droplet size and 720 × 1440 DPI maximum resolution. Fine text, photographic gradients, and detailed logo work all print with clarity that lower-resolution UV printers struggle to match.
White ink printing (WW channels): The double-white configuration enables both white underprinting and overprinting — the two distinct roles white ink plays in UV production:
White underprinting: Applied beneath the CMYK layer on transparent or dark substrates — clear acrylic, dark wood, colored materials — creating an opaque white foundation that makes the color layer vibrant rather than washed out or invisible.
White overprinting: Applied on top for frosted effects, high-contrast white text on printed backgrounds, and color isolation layers for specific design techniques.
3D embossing up to 5mm: By building stackable ink layers through guided OMTech Print workflows, the machine creates raised lettering, tactile graphics, dimensional logos, and textured surface effects. At 5mm depth, the raised texture is perceptible to the touch — transforming flat printed products into dimensional premium goods that command higher prices.
13.8" × 17.7" Print Area + 5.5" Height — More Room for What You Make
The 13.8" × 17.7" (350 × 450mm) printing area provides more usable space than a standard A3 format — the A3+ designation reflects this expanded field, accommodating wider individual pieces and more efficient multi-piece batch layouts per print pass.
The 5.5" (140mm) maximum media height is the specification that extends the Spectra's versatility beyond thin sheets:
- Assembled gift boxes and packaging
- Thick wood blanks and award components
- Jig-mounted production pieces for consistent batch positioning
- Glass tiles, stone coasters, and ceramic items
- Pre-assembled blanks that can't be disassembled for printing
Any flat item within the height clearance that survives UV printing conditions can be printed directly on the Spectra A3+. The 300+ compatible material list — acrylic, plastic, wood, leather, metal, glass, ceramics, canvas, PVC, cardboard, and more — reflects the actual breadth of what UV printing at this specification enables.
IR Height Sensing + Vacuum Table — Reliable Setup on Every Material
IR automatic height sensing: Before every print, the machine automatically detects the material height and positions the printhead at the correct working distance. For a production studio printing different material thicknesses throughout the day — 3mm acrylic pieces, 6mm wood planks, thick ceramic tiles — IR sensing eliminates the manual height measurement and adjustment step that's both time-consuming and error-prone on UV flatbed printers without it.
Honeycomb aluminum vacuum table with ruler: The vacuum bed holds flat materials stable and precisely aligned during printing — preventing the movement and slippage that causes registration errors on UV prints, particularly on longer production runs where pieces are repositioned repeatedly. The ruled grid provides consistent positioning reference for repeat jobs and batch setups.
Together, these two features are the setup infrastructure that makes consistent, batch-repeatable UV printing achievable without extensive operator expertise.
Automated Maintenance — The Machine That Runs Its Own Upkeep
White ink is the most maintenance-intensive aspect of any UV printer — it settles, it clogs, and if neglected, it produces inconsistent output and blocked nozzles. The Spectra A3+ manages the maintenance cycle automatically:
12-hour automatic cleaning cycle: The machine runs a scheduled cleaning routine every 12 hours without operator intervention — keeping nozzles clear and reducing the manual maintenance burden between print sessions.
Moisturizing-fluid injection: During idle periods, the system automatically injects moisturizing fluid to keep printhead nozzles hydrated — preventing the drying and blockage that occurs when printers sit unused between sessions.
White-ink circulation and agitation: Continuous white-ink circulation and agitation keep the pigment suspended and prevent settling — the specific maintenance challenge that makes many lower-cost UV printers with white ink unreliable in daily use. The Spectra manages this automatically.
One-click ink filling with low-ink alerts: Touchscreen-controlled ink filling with automatic low-ink notifications removes the guesswork from daily ink management.
Open Ink Platform — Up to 75% Savings on Ongoing Ink Cost
The Spectra A3+'s open ink platform does not require proprietary ink cartridges — compatible industrial UV inks can be used, following OMTech's specifications and maintenance guidance.
For a business printing regularly, ink cost is one of the most significant ongoing operational expenses. The open platform can reduce UV ink costs by up to 75% compared with proprietary cartridge-based systems — depending on ink selection and usage.
The 250ml ink tank capacity with automatic ink supply and one-click refill via touchscreen makes the daily ink management routine straightforward.
Important: Use only compatible low-VOC UV ink per OMTech specifications. Do not load varnish into the CMYKWW ink paths on the single-head version — this machine does not include a varnish channel.
OMTech Print + Laser-to-UV Production Workflow
OMTech Print software handles the workflows that make UV printing practical without deep prepress expertise:
Auto white-layer generation: Automatically generates the white ink channel from your artwork — without manually creating a separate white layer in design software.
3D texture preparation: Converts 2D artwork into layered tactile effects through guided embossing workflows.
Front-and-back workflow support: Coordinates front-and-back printing for products requiring two-sided output.
For laser businesses: The laser-to-UV workflow is one of the highest-value applications of the Spectra A3+. Cut or engrave shapes on the laser, then print full-color graphics with white underprinting on the UV printer. A laser-cut acrylic ornament, a wood plaque, a metal award — all become finished, sale-ready products with a color printed graphic that the laser alone cannot produce. The retail price of the finished combination product typically exceeds either process's output individually.
GREENGUARD Gold Ink + Activated-Carbon Filtration
Low-VOC UV ink: Compatible ink carries GREENGUARD Gold certification — supporting a cleaner printing workspace compared with solvent-based alternatives.
Built-in activated-carbon air purification: A 24V fan with a replaceable activated-carbon filter continuously processes air during printing. Operate in a well-ventilated workspace and maintain the filtration system per the maintenance schedule.
CE, FCC, RoHS, and TUV certified. The Spectra A3+ supports professional commercial use in properly equipped workspaces.
The Maker's Chest Difference
The OMTech Spectra A3+ Single-Head is available from OMTech directly and from other resellers. Here's what changes when you order through The Maker's Chest:
- 🛡️ 75-day returns — significantly longer than OMTech's direct return window. Enough time to receive and set up the printer, run it through your actual materials and production workflows, confirm the single-head CMYKWW configuration delivers for your business, and make a fully informed decision before you're committed
- 🇺🇸 Expert USA-based technical support — our team can help with OMTech Print setup, white ink workflow configuration, material profile development for your specific substrates, and any issues that arise during ramp-up
- 📞 Dual lines of support — phone and email, so when production is running and something needs attention, you have a direct path to a real person
- 🔧 Straight configuration guidance — single-head or dual-head Spectra A3+? Not sure whether the varnish channel and second printhead justify the step up for your specific business? Talk to us before ordering. We'll give you a direct recommendation
Frequently Asked Questions About OMTech Spectra A3+ Flatbed UV Printer — Single Printhead
Q: What's the key difference between the single-head and dual-head Spectra A3+?
A: The single-head uses one Epson F1080 with CMYKWW ink channels — full color plus white ink. The dual-head adds a second F1080 printhead, a Varnish (V) channel for localized gloss coating, a second UV lamp, higher production output, and the Hoson N10 controller. If spot gloss finishing and higher throughput are core to your business, choose the dual-head. If you're entering UV printing for the first time, running moderate daily volume, or adding color to a laser business, the single-head is the right starting point.
Q: What does white ink do?
A: White ink serves two functions. White underprinting creates an opaque foundation on transparent or dark substrates (clear acrylic, dark wood, colored materials) — making the CMYK color layer vibrant rather than invisible or washed out. White overprinting creates frosted effects, high-contrast white text, and color isolation layers for specific design techniques.
Q: Does the single-head version have a varnish channel?
A: No — the single-head Spectra A3+ has CMYKWW channels only. Localized gloss/varnish coating is a dual-head feature. Do not load varnish into the single-head's CMYKWW ink paths.
Q: How does it integrate with a laser cutter?
A: Cut or engrave shapes on the laser, then print full-color graphics with white underprinting on the UV printer. Laser-cut acrylic, wood, and metal blanks become finished color-printed products ready for sale. The combined product commands a higher retail price than either process alone.
Q: Can it print on assembled items and thick objects?
A: Yes — up to 5.5" (140mm) media height. Assembled boxes, thick wood blanks, ceramic tiles, and jig-mounted production pieces all fit within the height envelope. IR automatic height sensing adjusts printhead position for each material automatically.
Q: What is the open ink platform advantage?
A: The Spectra A3+ accepts compatible industrial UV inks rather than requiring proprietary cartridges, reducing ongoing ink costs by up to 75% compared with cartridge systems. Follow OMTech's ink specifications and maintenance guidance for any compatible ink used.
Q: What are the power requirements?
A: AC 110/220V ±10%, 50/60Hz — the machine auto-switches between 110V and 220V. Maximum power consumption is 280W in single-head configuration. A standard dedicated circuit is appropriate for most shop installations.
Q: Why buy from The Maker's Chest instead of directly from OMTech?
A: Our 75-day return window gives you real production evaluation time — enough to run the Spectra A3+ through your actual materials and workflows and confirm it delivers before you're locked in. Our USA-based expert support team is reachable by phone and email for OMTech Print setup, white ink workflow configuration, material profile development, and production troubleshooting throughout your ownership. If you're deciding between single-head and dual-head, we'll give you a straight recommendation.
