Flexo Printing

Flexo printing remains a mainstay of the continuous-run print world, regardless of the permanence of lithographic presses and the continued growth of digital printing.

Although both methods use wet ink and printing plates, these two printing processes are quite different. Technically, offset printing can refer to any printing technique that uses a printing plate to transfer an image to an intermediate carrier and then onto the printed substrate. Whereas flexo transfers ink from the plate directly to the substrate.

Modern flexography printers are the most advanced and reliable of printing technologies on the market today. Today’s flexographic printers can print up to 200m of product per minute, far faster than other printing technologies. As well, there are a range of inks that can be used with flexo-printing machines, including UV, solvent and water-based. These characteristics are what make the flexo-printer such a highly versatile and practical piece of machinery.

The first Flexo type printing presses were patented in the late 19th century. Originally, flexographic printing was rudimentary in quality with its limitations in ink control and rubber printing plates. Commercial print applications were open to all but the most basic of print & packaging products. As the consumer industry grew, packaging & labels requiring high-quality print were generally being produced using the offset & letterpress processes until more recently. Since 1990, great advances have been made to the quality of flexographic printing presses, printing plates, printing units, drying systems & inks. These advances have combined to rival offset quality with improved practicality, higher production speeds, and lower capital investment.