PRINT TECHNOLOGIES
Flexo
What is Flexo?
Flexographic Printing utilizes flexible photopolymer printing plates. These plates are wrapped around print cylinders on a web fed press. The inked plates have a raised image and rotate at relatively high speeds to transfer the ink onto the printing surface, creating an image. If the final image is a full or multicolor image, it will necessitate multiple printing stations and colors to compose the final picture.
Why Print Flexo?
ADVANTAGES
- Economically suitable for very long - long runs with very few versions
- Low-cost of equipment and maintenance, suitable for decades of operation
- Allows for one step printing, varnishing or over laminating and die cutting
DISADVANTAGES
- Cost of printing plates is relatively high and can add quickly in demanding image situations
- Long set up times compared to new digital print technologies
- Multiple versions require time consuming set up changes and even more printing plates
SPECS & DETAILS
- Labels that need a long shelf life, or are exposed to harsh environments or weather can be printed with a flexographic printer. A UV varnish or film over laminate can be added to protect the print.
- Production speed is faster in some cases. Flexographic presses run at several hundred feet per minute and use fast-drying water based inks so that colors can be added one after another without an extended drying time.
- Cold foil and other embellishments are often integrated.
- Color matching is precise. Pantone color matching is more easily achieved with flexographic inks and metering tools. Lower cost for large runs of direct thermal, thermal transfer as well as imprinted generic blanks and highspeed, and high-volume data labels make this technology affordable for these large runs.
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