The E1 works because it cures ink the moment it hits the surface, using UV light to harden each layer almost instantly rather than letting it soak in or dry over time. This is what allows the printer to bond directly onto more than 300 different materials, from wood to glass to metal, since the ink isn't relying on the material's absorbency the way traditional printing does. Because each layer sets before the next is applied, the printhead can build ink upward rather than just across the surface, which is the mechanism behind the 3D-texture printing and its ability to reach heights of up to 5 mm.

This layering process is also why the CMYK, white, and gloss channels can be printed in a single pass. The white layer cures first to create an opaque base, so colour remains true even on dark or transparent materials, and the gloss layer cures last to seal and finish the surface. Positioning accuracy matters just as much as the ink itself, so the dual laser system and snapshot camera map the exact shape and height of each item before printing begins, allowing the printhead to adjust its path in real time rather than assuming a flat, uniform surface.

This is particularly important for the E1's ability to work with irregular or pre-shaped objects, since a small misalignment at the curing stage would show up permanently once the ink sets. The JetClean™ self-cleaning system exists for the same reason precision matters here, because UV ink cures quickly and any residue left in the printhead can affect output accuracy over time. The system flushes and clears the head automatically to keep results consistent between jobs.