Printing on a golf ball isn't as simple as placing it under a printer and hitting start.

Golf balls are round, dimpled, and often finished with low-energy surfaces. Because of this, it’s much harder to get ink to stick or to line up your print compared to a flat surface.

But that doesn't mean you can't do it.

In short, to print on a golf ball, you need to clean the surface, use a jig to hold the ball in place, and then print your design using UV printing.

Let’s walk through the details of this process.

Step 1: Pretreat the Surface of the Golf Ball

This step is where most of the print quality comes from. Even tiny traces of oil, polish, or dust can lead to smudging or poor color.

And Golf balls might look the same, but different brands use different materials and coatings. That affects how well the UV ink sticks. 

Image: Justin Bitner 

So, you can start by wiping the surface with isopropyl alcohol. 

If the ball still feels slick, you can lightly rub the area with fine sandpaper (around 800 to 1200 grit). That gives the surface just enough texture for the ink to grip. 

Another option is to use an adhesion promoter made for plastics. It works like a primer to help the ink stay in place.

Step 2: Set Up the Golf Ball with a Jig

Golf balls roll easily, so besides the printing machine, you’ll also want something that holds them in place. A simple jig or holder can help.

Image: QingYu

You don’t need anything fancy. Even a soft piece of foam with a round cut-out works well. What matters is that the ball doesn’t move during printing. If it shifts, the design can blur or print off-center.

Then, you can gently press the ball into the jig to check it’s tight enough. If it stays firm when you touch it, you’re all set.

Now you can put it in the golf ball printing machine and get started with the next steps.

Step 3: Prepare the Image for Printing

You can put your own logos, team names, player initials, event dates, alignment aids, or fun graphics on a golf ball. But keep this in mind:

Golf balls don’t have much space to work with, and the surface curves quickly.

That means simple designs often work better than detailed ones. Keep the image around 20 to 25 mm wide so it fits nicely without wrapping too far over the curve.

If you’re working with logos or icons, try using vector files instead of raster files. These stay sharp when resized. If you’re using photos or other images, make sure they’re clear and at least 300 DPI.

Image: Anna Trower

Step 4: Load and Position the Image

Next, it’s time to place the design in the software.

Most UV printers need separate RIP software just to get started. It’s technical, clunky, and not exactly beginner-friendly. But the eufyMake E1 handles things differently.

With eufyMake Studio, you simply need to drag and drop your image into the workspace, scale it, and place it right on the top view of the ball. 

To get precise alignment, it’s important to calibrate the camera.This makes sure what you see on the screen matches where the printer actually prints. A small misalignment can make a big difference when working with tiny objects like golf balls.

And then it's time to fine-tune your print settings.

Step 5: Set the Correct Print Settings

In this case, we recommend to follow these recommendations:

1. Choose "Plastic" from the list, since most golf balls are plastic-coated
2. Select "White > CMYK" mode. This layering method places white ink underneath the color, which makes your image more vibrant. This is especially helpful when the golf ball is not pure white
3. Choose "High Quality" mode to ensure sharp edges and accurate detail

If you want a better look at the process, some of our beta testers have shared videos that walk through each step.

Video: LilyRoseCraftroom

Step 6: Print and Check

Next, let's hit print! Printing time depends on the quality and size of the image.

So, it can take as little as 2 minutes or up to about 8 minutes for high-quality personalized golf balls at home.

After printing, inspect the balls carefully for print clarity, correct alignment, and adhesion quality.

More Helpful Tips for Golf Ball Printing

1. Use old balls for testing

If this is your first time printing on golf balls, test your settings on old or used balls first. That way, you can experiment without worrying about wasting materials.

2. Try 3D Printing Your Jig

A soft foam jig might be fine for one or two prints, but it doesn’t always hold the ball steady enough for more precise work.

If you own a 3D printer, you can also try to design your own jig or find golf ball jig files from stl file sites and print it out.

3. Stick to the Top of the Ball

The eufyMake E1 doesn't support full 360-degree spherical printing, at least not yet. That's why it's best to print right on the top of the golf ball. This area is flatter, easier for the printer to reach, and more forgiving when it comes to ink application.

If you try to wrap artwork around the sides, the curvature can distort the image or cause focus issues. So for now, aim for the sweet spot.

4. Try UV DTF When You Need Flexibility

If you're worried about getting the design lined up just right, or you don’t have a jig on hand, stickers made with UV DTF printing can be a solid backup.

You can print the artwork on transfer film, then apply it by hand to the golf ball. It works well for events or small orders, and you can make a whole batch in one go.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Best Golf Ball Printing Machine for Home

A golf ball printer's another name is UV printer. This type of printer uses the same UV printing technology as other common UV printers, but with specialized adaptations. It is specially designed for golf ball printing, with jigs to hold the balls and software for precise image placement.

Most golf ball printers are bulky and built for factories. But there's a more flexible option for home use.

The eufyMake E1 is a handy desktop UV printer made for printing directly on golf balls. It can print logos, names, and even QR codes on golf balls with clean detail and lasting results.

At home, it fits on a desk and runs without industrial ventilation or power setups. For events like golf tournaments or pop-ups, it’s light to carry and quick to set up.

It prints up to 330 × 420 mm (A3 size), so you can handle small or large batches. With the mini flatbed, you can print 12 golf balls at once; the standard one fits 48.

Even beginners can get started fast. The eufyMake Studio software walks you through each step, from image to print.

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Start Your First Golf Ball Printing

So yes, printing on a golf ball takes a little prep. But once you've got the setup dialed in, it opens the door to all kinds of custom creations

The eufyMake E1 can give you the tools to get started. With the built-in camera, clear software, and compact size, it’s a strong choice for printing on small items like golf balls.

FAQs about Golf Ball Printing

How much does it cost to put a logo on a golf ball?

If you print at home with a UV printer, the cost is quite low. This includes the blank golf ball ($1 to $2), UV ink (less than $0.10), and small costs for maintenance and power.

If you order from a printing service, it usually costs $3 to $7 per ball for small batches. Larger orders often come with lower prices.

Can you make money printing golf balls?

Yes, it can be a good side business. People may not need hundreds of golf balls, but they want memorable, personalized ones. Golf balls with names, pictures, or fun designs make perfect gifts for dads, customers, or partners.

Custom printed golf balls often sell for $3 to $5 each, or $2.50 to $4 in bulk.

If you're printing them yourself for $1.25 to $2.25 each, you can make 50% to 300% profit, depending on how you price them. Even printing 100 balls a week could bring in $200 to $300 profit.

Does the ink last after hitting the ball?

Printed golf balls are best for display, gifts, or light practice. If you hit the ball hard or use it a lot, the ink might wear off over time.

To make it last longer, just give the ink some time to dry properly and try not to print over the deep dimples.