One of the most common questions we get from homeowners and businesses in Frisco and across DFW is: "Do we need to do anything to the wall or floor before you arrive?"
The short answer: a little goes a long way. The DXonJet VPJet4.0 handles most surface variations automatically — it has dual ultrasonic sensors that correct for unevenness up to 10 cm — but some basic preparation ensures the best possible print quality and adhesion of the UV ink.
Here's what we recommend, broken down for walls and floors separately.
Preparing a Wall for UV Printing
Clean the surface
Wipe down the wall with a slightly damp cloth to remove dust, grease, and cobwebs. For kitchen or garage walls, a diluted mild degreaser works well. Allow the wall to dry completely before print day — at least 2–4 hours after cleaning.
Repair significant damage
Small nail holes, hairline cracks, or minor dents are fine — the printer's UV ink will fill and print over them cleanly. However, large holes, crumbling plaster, or areas with peeling existing paint should be patched and sanded before we arrive. We'll let you know during the quote process if we spot any concern areas.
Clear a 3–4 foot runway in front of the wall
The DXonJet VPJet4.0 is a vertical printer that moves along the wall on a wheeled rail system. We need approximately 3–4 feet of clear floor space in front of the print area to set up and operate the machine. Remove furniture, decor, and anything fixed within that zone.
Protect adjacent surfaces if needed
UV printing has virtually no overspray — unlike spray paint — but if you have trim, outlets, or adjoining surfaces you'd like extra protection on, we'll tape them off as part of our setup. You don't need to do this yourself.
Preparing a Floor for UV Printing
Sweep and mop thoroughly
Remove all dust, grit, and debris from the floor area. For concrete, a dry sweep followed by a damp mop is ideal. For tile, make sure grout lines are clean — ink adhesion on tile grout works best when the grout is clean and free of wax or sealant residue.
Remove floor wax or existing coatings if instructed
If your floor has a thick wax coating or an old non-porous sealant layer, we may ask you to strip it before the print day. We'll assess this during your site visit — most standard concrete, tile, and epoxy floors don't require stripping.
Clear the print area completely
Remove all furniture, equipment, mats, and any fixed obstacles from the print zone. The floor printer accessory needs clear, unobstructed floor space to move across. Plan for the area to be out of use for the duration of the print plus 30 minutes of curing time.
Allow the floor to dry after any cleaning
UV ink adhesion on a damp surface is poor. After mopping, allow a minimum of 1–2 hours of dry time before our arrival, or ensure the floor is completely dry. In humid Texas weather, extra drying time may be needed.
Do's and Don'ts at a Glance
Do
- Clean the surface 24–48 hours before print day
- Patch any large wall holes or damaged areas
- Clear 3–4 feet of floor space in front of the wall
- Let us know about any fresh paint (needs 7+ days to cure)
- Ensure the room is at a comfortable indoor temperature
Don't
- Apply any new paint or primer right before printing
- Wax or re-seal the floor within 2 weeks of the print date
- Leave heavy furniture against the print wall on print day
- Wet mop a concrete floor the morning of a floor print
- Apply any chemical cleaners that leave a residue film
What About Outdoor Walls in the Texas Heat?
Outdoor UV printing in the DFW area is possible but comes with a few extra considerations. Texas summer heat above 95°F can affect ink flow slightly. We typically schedule outdoor jobs in the early morning or when temperatures are below 90°F. We'll apply a UV-protective topcoat to all outdoor prints to protect against sun fading — the Nazdar 260 UV inks we use are specifically engineered for UV exposure resistance.
We Handle Most of the Prep On-Site
Don't stress — the preparation above is all you need to do as a client. When we arrive, our team handles: surface inspection and confirmation, printer setup and calibration, any light surface taping or masking, print run, UV curing, and topcoat application if selected. It's our job to make sure the print looks perfect, and we won't start printing if there's a surface condition that could affect the results.
"The best prints come from prepared surfaces. But a big part of preparation is our job — so don't overthink it. Just clean, clear, and we'll handle the rest."
Have questions about your specific wall or floor? Send us a message with some photos and we'll let you know exactly what prep (if any) is needed for your project.
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