Plate Making Flexographic printing starts with creating flexible printing plates. These plates are typically made of rubber or photopolymer materials. The design to be printed is etched or engraved onto the plate surface.
Ink Application The flexo press has ink reservoirs or chambers where ink is stored. The ink is then transferred to the printing plates through rollers or doctor blades. The ink is typically water-based or solvent-based, depending on the substrate and printing requirements.
Printing The substrate (such as paper or film) passes through the press between the impression cylinder and the plate cylinder. As the substrate moves through the press, the inked plate cylinder rotates against it, transferring the inked image onto the substrate.
Drying/Curing After the ink is applied to the substrate, it needs to be dried or cured to set it permanently. This can be done through various methods depending on the type of ink used, such as air drying, UV curing, or heat drying.
Flexo printing machines offer several advantages, including high-speed printing, versatility in printing on various substrates, and the ability to produce vibrant colors. They are commonly used in industries such as packaging, labeling, and newspaper printing.
