Everybody knows that research and development is at the heart of a successful organisation. That is certainly true of Focus, which is one of the reasons that we are the proud sponsors of the 2018 Flexo Tech International Print and Innovations Awards.

Here at Focus, we’re absolutely dedicated to innovation. It’s one of the reasons that we’re sponsors of the 2018 Flexo Tech Innovations Awards, and is also one of the reasons that we pursue partnerships with some of the most dynamic tech firms in the world. In one of our most exciting recent developments, we’ve teamed up with Phoseon, a US-based UV LED manufacturing company. The result has revolutionised flexography. Here’s an introduction to the future.

We live in a landscape augmented with transposed colour. Whether for labels, or fabrics, or posters, or logos, printing has become a central communication enabler in our society. As such, more companies than ever before are learning that continuous printing is not only useful, but central to their needs. And the competition is tightening.

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.