The flexographic printing process, one of the four major printing methods (gravure, offset, embossing, and flexo), has a long history. In recent years, other traditional printing processes have either remained stagnant or declined, and soft. The printing process has always maintained a rapid growth momentum and continues to expand its market share, and this trend may continue in the coming years. With the development of technology, the quality of flexographic prints can already be comparable to that of gravure, embossing, offset printing products, ordinary offset print jobs (such as paper boxes), gravure print jobs (such as food packaging, cigarette packs), and Embossing jobs (such as stickers) can generally be done using flexo printing. When we put products from different printing methods together and compare them, it is difficult to tell which one is the flexographic print and which is the gravure print (or offset print, embossed print) on the surface, even by experts. It is also necessary to use a magnifying glass to determine which process the print is printed on.
Flexographic printing technology is currently in a stage of rapid development, and its own quality advantages and potential may not yet fully play out, and the rapid development of science and technology, new technologies are always emerging, we believe that with the new With the gradual application of technology, the quality of flexographic prints may be further improved. At present, these new technologies and new developments in the field of flexographic printing mainly include the following aspects:
First of all, the engraving technology of anilox roller and anilox roller has made new development. The new Yag laser engraving anilox roller has a finer mesh, better ink transfer performance, and can print smaller high light dot.
Second, ink technology has also been greatly improved. UV inks have greatly improved the consistency of color and the consistency of the quality of prints, and the patterns that were difficult to print before flexo printing can also be well reproduced, for example, in a large area of ​​the solid area. Print a few or a few lines of special, very small, intaglio.
Thirdly, in terms of media, the emergence and application of new digital image flexographic printing plates will ensure that smaller dots will be formed in the high-light areas, and the text will be clearer and the text will not be blurred. The new polymer materials have greatly improved and improved ink transfer performance. In addition, digital sleeve technology (ie, digitally imaging the sleeve) ensures that the registration of the plate is more accurate, less error-prone and able to Realize the function of "fast conversion job".
Fourth, the function of the flexographic printing press has become increasingly sophisticated. We all know that in the printing process, there are many factors that affect the quality, cost, and production efficiency of a product. A successful printing company should and must be able to effectively control these factors so that it can be more profitable. Modern presses can help printers solve many problems. New flexo presses generally have new functions (such as offline debugging), which can reduce the debugging time of the machine. With these functions, flexographic printing companies can save Time and increase production efficiency. In addition, there are a number of accessories that can help printers to increase productivity, such as quick release systems, automatic gear trains, and robots that can help printers change rollers more quickly (including plate cylinders and anilox rollers); automatic cleaning The equipment can shorten the cleaning time; the automatic register system can reduce the adjustment time of the print registration... In addition, some special functions of the printing press, such as rapid replacement of the doctor blade and automatic welding of the web material, can also reduce the downtime during the printing process. time. Choosing a gearless transmission printing press provides printers with more advantages and higher added value. Printers are free to change the length of repetitive printing. Therefore, they have more strength and can compete fiercely with gravure printing. .
Printing materials also play a role in reducing the downtime of the press. For example, the sleeve technology and the application of the lightweight anilox roller can greatly reduce the debugging time. In addition, UV inks allow printers to quickly obtain a satisfactory color, while also minimizing the waste of raw materials. But at the same time, flexo printers must also pay attention to environmental protection issues, such as the compliance of VOC (organic volatiles) and the control of wastewater discharge.
However, there is still a problem that needs to be solved urgently. This is the flexographic printing process has not yet formed a unified industry standard. Since there is no single industry standard, printing companies and customers can't be as flexible and comfortable as offset printing. In addition, some products (such as sweets and cakes) have higher requirements for packaging. Therefore, most of their product packaging is currently Gravure printing is used, but if a flexible printing process is used to print these packages, it is difficult to ensure consistency of the print due to the lack of a uniform standard. Therefore, relevant parties appealed that: as soon as possible, a set of corresponding process standards should be formulated, otherwise it will affect and limit the growth and development of flexo printing technology.