Flexography is well-known for its ability to provide high-quality results quickly. Despite significant digitalization in the printing industry, demand for this sort of printing continues to rise. Knowing how the printing machine works, both good and bad, is critical to those in the label printing industry.
A range of packing materials, such as paper and plastic containers (including waxed-paper ones), corrugated-cardboard boxes, tape, envelopes, and metal foil, have all been decorated using the flexible printing technique known as flexography.
When it comes to printing, how does flexography work?
It is possible to print high-resolution images on a variety of materials using flexographic printing, which uses flexible photopolymer printing plates. Rubber plates embossed with a raised image are wrapped around cylinders set on a web press and then imprinted again.
Advantages of Flexographic printer
- Flexographic printing’s adaptability is another benefit. Any non-absorbent substance can be utilized.
2. Pouch bags can be printed with text using this method.
3. It has a high-speed pressing mechanism.
Flexography’s methods enable operators to handle huge printing projects fast. In one pass, it can lacquer, laminate, or die-cut a roll of the substrate. It is faster to use flexographic printing than rotogravure printing.
4. The manufacturing costs are quite low.
It is possible to extend the life of printing plates with adequate care. Because of their speed and long-term value, their initial cost is higher than other solutions, but this is offset by the lower overall cost.
5. Flexography has the advantage of being a rapid and cost-effective process for printing simple designs on stand-up packages.
Inks based on oil or water can be utilized, and it supports a wide spectrum of colors. Because water-based inks are non-toxic, they have become increasingly popular.
Limitations of using Flexography Printing
1. Flexographic printing, on the other hand, is still in its infancy. Rotogravure printing, on the other hand, is able to produce more complex and lengthier artwork.
For example, flexographic printing’s colours aren’t quite as vibrant as rotogravure printing, and the overall process is less dynamic. To some extent, this is due to flexography’s age. To put it another way: Rotogravure is pretty new. It’s more appropriate for the twenty-first century now.
2. Setting up each work takes longer.
When compared to alternative methods, the time required to set up each print job is significantly longer than the printing process itself. Printing the same options in several runs is easier with flexography.
3. A new version change means that you have to start from scratch.
Flexography does not allow for design changes in the middle of a print run. You must start the process over from the beginning if you decide to make a change.
A modern flexographic printing machine.
In the long run, a Flexographic printing press is an excellent business investment for both medium and high-volume printing applications. Using a wide range of ink and colour combinations to print on any medium. Products are sold through high-quality labels and printed films, and the equipment lasts for a long time even in the most extreme weather conditions.
Read more on the advantages & disadvantages of Flexography