It’s a modern-day version of letterpress printing and considered by many to be the best kind of non-digital printing for large orders, and long print runs. There is low operational cost involved. Are there any downsides to flexography? Related: Need New Labels? Flexography was derived from rubber stamp printing, which became prevalent in the early 1900s. 1. The Environmental Pros And Cons Of Flexographic Printing Plates. Flexographic printing is preferable for medium to large volumes of printing due to the setup and plate making cost. Here are our pros and cons. Flexographic printing comparatively comes at an economical cost, which is partly because labor costs are low. Costs – The cost of printing plates can still be high for flexography, although the development of new plate materials has made the pricing more competitive; Print Quality – Flexo printing does not support continuous tone images, so is very difficult to achieve the same print quality possible with rotogravure, especially for complex artworks. However, some businesses do opt for flexographic printing even if they have smaller orders – as long as the number of plates will see some use in the future, that is. Goli Gummies Review 2021: Are Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies Effective? Let’s break it down and examine the basics of each type of printing and pros and the cons so you can figure out what is best for your business. Flexo printing works well with a variety of substrates and fast-drying inks, making it ideal for packaging and publication printing. The only thing you need to worry about is inputting the material into the device. Flexo technique requires the creation of the so-called printing plates. 2.) The fastest flexographic printers today can output 2,000 feet of printing every minute, which is rather impressive. Pros The great advantage of flexographic printing plates is that they are wipeable and reusable across millions of impressions. Never invest blindly or rely on your previous perception of an existing process. Is gravure printing right for you? If this all sounds pretty great, it is because flexography … Flexography will maintain very good quality in solid colour print, process imaging, fine text printing with little operator intervention. Low opacity, non-tactile. Costs – The cost of printing plates can still be high for flexography, although the development of new plate materials has made the pricing more competitive; Print Quality – Flexo printing does not support continuous tone images, so is very difficult to achieve the same print quality possible with rotogravure, especially for complex artworks. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Flexographic machines can shorten the process time, with a finished product produced in a single pass. It’s a modern-day version of letterpress printing and considered by many to be the best kind of non-digital printing for large orders, and long print runs. The surface of the plate is coated with fast-drying ink. Flexography is ideal for solid color printing. The moderate time it takes to set-up the machine is well-compensated by the fast production speeds. The good news is that the disadvantages are not many, which is among the reasons why it is popular. One of the reasons labor costs are comparatively low in flexography printing is because the entire process is highly automated once you press the ‘start’ button. Hence, once you are clear about parameters like a number of boxes to print, your budget, quality requirements and time in … The trademark advantage of flexographic printing is that it is fast and will facilitate a speedy production process. The positive part of the image is marked out on the plate with a hydrophobic (water-repelling) substance while the negative image is treated with a hydrophilic (water-attracting) substance. Water-Based Inks. If this all sounds pretty great, it is because flexography does offer lots of great benefits, but as with anything, there are pros and cons. Often going by the abbreviation “flexo,” flexography is the name given to a printing process utilizing a flexible relief plate. The production of a Flexo printing plate can processed using water, solvent or digitally using the latest computer to plate advances. The viability of Flexo will then become a balance of volume of the order against Set up time and cost of printing plates. The most significant advantage of flexography is that you can print on numerous material options. Another advantage of flexographic printing is its versatility. Lithography is the process of producing a printing with a stone or smooth metal plate. It’s cost-efficient. Disadvantages of flexographic printing. Ink costs & material costs are relatively low, with no special coatings required. If you are interested in acquiring a new printing press, but you are unsure of how flexo stands in relation to other printing technologies, the first thing to do is get as much of the LATEST information as possible. Flexography pros and cons. These are often essential parameters in your decision-making process. Flexography's chief advantages are that it is fast, adaptable, good for color and continuous images and employs ink that dries nearly instantly. Let’s break it down and examine the basics of each type of printing and pros and the cons so you can figure out what is best for your business. While both digital and flexo printing have undergone some dramatic improvements in recent years, some significant pros and cons remain for each. A 3D relief is prepared which is then mounted on a roller to print the graphic. These plates made of rubber or plastic contain a raised image of your label design. With the new techniques coming up offering bolder colours and more highly defined images and complicated designs, Flexographic printing may seem a step back in providing a relative simple printing process, but with knowledge Flexo Printing offers the same opportunities , flexibility , variety and speed. It is better suited for the 21st century. When the print run is finished, the ink is washed off and printing plate stored away to be re-used another day. Now that we are out with the bad, let us get in with the good. Most other types of printing do this separately, which prevents continuous production. There are many benefits of using corrugated cardboard boxes; below is a comprehensive list of why choosing a corrugated cardboard box over another style of box is the best choice for moving or shipping. Related: Need New Labels? This makes flexography sustainable, adaptable, and cost-effective where repeat orders are applicable in your business. If intricate details are essential, 3d printing or screenprinting are more reliable choices. You get a color durable print with flexography due to the use of heat rollers. It is widely used in the production of newspapers, catalogs, shopping bags, self-adhesive labels, disposable cups, milk cartons, gift wrap and wallpaper. The number of systems & mechanical components also makes it essential to plan a regular schedule of routine maintenance – in order to avoid expensive downtime and repairs. Do the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. The Pros and Cons of Gravure Printing for Business Gravure printing was invented in 1890, and it's been used ever since when companies need a big job done fast with high quality and vibrant color. Read our quick summary of gravure printing to learn everything you need to know. Capture profits now. Screen printing pros and cons. Due to its exacting ink control systems, one of the best advantages of flexographic printing is the ability to generate solid colors on both porous and non-porous substrates. When it comes to price consideration, the printing plates are the most important and cost of reprographics to get to the final print stage. This was made with the introduction of the Indigo Omnius digital press. Use a screen to press ink on to something. Cons As well as being slightly more expensive to set up than other printing processes, flexography also requires more rollers and ink to be used to create full-colour finished products (a minimum of four). Flexographic printing is suitable for any substrate like cellophane, plastic, and paper. Here are some of the flexography pros and cons of to help you determine whether or not it is the right option for you. Africa Print News 2020-07-20T07:53:17+02:00 Jul 14th, 2020 | View Larger Image; According to Focus Label Machinery, while flexography dates from the 19 century, modern improvements have made the technology sophisticated, durable, and adaptable. Water-based inks are more stable on press than solvent-based inks. pros and cons of different packaging materials, such as wood, plastic, corrugated cardboard and metal. This is the advice Jack offers to … Flexography is a great choice if you require a high volume order. In the modern digital printing world, where extraordinary designs are the norm, flexography isn’t ideal for producing complicated and extensive pieces of artwork. Flexography is known for providing quality results with its efficiency in speed. This technology makes use of flexible… Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Flexographic vs Lithographic is definitely an interesting topic to have a discussion on but, both of them have their share of pros and cons. Don’t let the future impoverish the present. Things are less clear when considering Flexo for short run production. Flexography is known for a quick production process. It’s quick. There are varieties of inks depending on the material to print on, be it porous or non-porous, so there is no limit to the substrate you can use, from paper, board through to unsupported films. Cons. It serves little purpose when you have to invest a fair amount of time into designing plates and go through the time-consuming set up to print out a small order. Printing in any virtually material using a variety of ink and colour combinations. It’s highly automated. Flexography is fast. A good Flexographic machine is Robust and parts last a long time before the need to replace them arises. But is it always appropriate for each printing job? Not the most advanced form of printing. Here are some of the flexography pros and cons of to help you determine whether or not it is the right option for you. Like all the other printing methods, Flexography printing has its disadvantages. Pros of using Flexography Printing for Poly Mailers. It is a thing of the past when printing was done by means of blocks and stencils. When used for medium to long print runs, the advantages of flexography outweigh the disadvantages by far, thus making it the best printing technology for long-term return on investment. After your label is printed, the next step is to cut them to the desired final shape. We also have the flexographic equipment in Scurry, Texas you need to get the job done. However, manufacturers use it for corrugated boxes too. Flexographic printing equipment can be environmentally friendly. The popularity for this type of printing continues to grow, despite widespread digitisation by many printing sectors. I’ve explained what flexo printing is, but what are its pros and cons? Tactile feel, good color, higher run speeds. Flexographic printers, therefore, are capable of churning out a lot of content every hour. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'positivenegativeimpact_com-box-4','ezslot_3',117,'0','0'])); 4.) Consumables are relatively low cost and do not add significantly to the production cost price per label. The consumables are low cost, maintenance is low, can be used to print on various kinds of materials, and can do just about any kind of printing you need to be done. Technological advancement has brought about advanced printing processes and flexography. Flexographic printing equipment are quite complex in nature with a number of integral systems built into the process. It is possible to print thousands of labels in a short period of time. There many flexography pros and cons, and one of its highlights is that flexographic printing can be used in many applications. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'positivenegativeimpact_com-banner-1','ezslot_2',118,'0','0'])); Again, for a small order, it may not be worth your while (or your time) to set it all up manually. List of the Pros of Flexography 1. In other forms of printing, some of the steps above require human intervention. From there, the machine will pull the material and press the ink seamlessly. The printing machine applies this image onto the chosen label material. A benefit to running jobs with this method is that the cost per label decreases substantially as your quantity increases. When the FDA deemed the inks being used for the process as unsafe for food packaging, it’s main use case at the time, changes were made to the inks being used and the process was renamed. Flexography (often abbreviated to flexo) is a printing process which utilises a flexible relief plate. They are non-flammable, with no special handling or storage requirements. 2.) Flexography for Packaging Printing. A flexographic press takes time to set up, the more colours the longer the set-up time will be. Cutting Dies. The trademark advantage of flexographic printing is that it is fast and will facilitate a speedy production process. Disadvantages of flexographic printing. Are there cons to consider as well?eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'positivenegativeimpact_com-box-3','ezslot_0',106,'0','0']));Flexographic Printer. Start studying Advantage or DisAdvantage Gravure. Disclosure: Positive Negative Impact is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Due to its exacting ink control systems, one of the best advantages of flexographic printing is the ability to generate solid colors on both porous and non-porous substrates. Screen printing. High screen cost. Flexography is known for providing quality results with its efficiency in speed. Those in the label printing business understand the importance of knowing how the printing machine operates, both good and bad. Because of that, it is the first choice for food packaging and containers for other consumer packaged goods. It is widely used in the production of newspapers, catalogs, shopping bags, self-adhesive labels, disposable cups, milk cartons, gift wrap and wallpaper. Its disadvantages include the cost of its plates, the consumption of costly stock and the large amount of time needed for setup. “Cutting dies” are metallic cylinders with shallow blades on the surface that slice the label shape into the material so excess material around the labels can be removed. It’s a modern version of letterpress printing and can be utilised on almost any type of substrate. Flexo printing vs offset printing: the pros and cons. Flexography or “flexo,” a more traditional print technology developed in the early 1900’s, utilizes flexible relief plates and semi liquid inks, either solvent based, water based, or UV cured. 1.) 1.) Flexography, which is shortened as flexo is a technique of printing that was developed in the early 1900s. It Works ThermoFight X Review 2021: Can It Help You Lose Weight? When the FDA deemed the inks being used for the process as unsafe for food packaging, it’s main use case at the time, changes were made to the inks being used and the process was renamed. Many businesses today use flexography because it is particularly suitable for large printing orders where printing costs are a concern. For example, most cardboard boxes and brown paper bag designs use flexographic printing. It can be used to print on a variety of different materials. What Is Flexographic Printing and What are Its Pros and Cons? Advantages of flexography * Prints on wide variety of absorbent and nonabsorbent substrates. Here are our pros and cons. It provides high quality labels & printed films that sell products, equipment lasts a long time in harsh conditions. Flexography is typically useful for large printing orders. Alan Behrens is an experienced writer and our editor-in-chief.PNI's goal is to publish high-quality, educational content covering everything from history to current events. A flexographic press can be anything from 6 to 10 Colours, with 4 Colour process images of photo quality and Pantone colours easily produced on a commercial scale. Flexographic Printing. Heal-N-Soothe Review: Pros and Cons, Side Effects and More, ActivatedYou Morning Complete Review 2021 – Benefits, Side Effects, and More, Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo: The Godfather of the Mexican Drug Trade, The Doublemint Twins: The Faces of Wrigley’s Iconic Gum, Junko Furuta: Forty Four Days Living In Hell Before Her Murder, Studebaker: The Rise and Fall of an Iconic Car Brand. This makes flexographic printing a strong choice for volume production and fast turnaround requirements. Conventional ink costs are relatively low compared to. Good dot reproduction, higher run speeds, low cost plates. Flexographic Printing Digital Vs. Flexographic Printing In the year 1993, the label industry was first impacted by digital printing. Benefit: FastBecause the material used for flexographic printing is web-fed, this allows the printer to … Since flexographic presses run at a much faster speed than digital presses, it is an efficient way to produce large volume runs with high quality results. Flexo Printing vs Gravure Printing: Pros and Cons. After it prints the label has, the cutting die automatically separates each design according to its required size. In other printing processes, several layers of ink are required to attain the proper saturation and richness. The advantages of flexo printing: Runs at extremely high speeds and is ideally suited for long printing runs; Prints on a wide variety of substrate materials Flexography is commonly used for stand-up pouches. A Flexographic printing press is a great long term business investment for both medium and high volume production. Pros and Cons of Flexography March 11, 2020 by Alan Behrens Often going by the abbreviation “flexo,” flexography is the name given to a printing process utilizing a flexible relief plate. This printing technique allows a lot of flexibility with label material. Once the machine starts running, the printing process is very quick. Flexographic Printing Machinery And Equipment. This is partially because flexography is old. NutraBurst Review 2021: Everything You Should Know, Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Pros and Cons. Because of the quick turnaround times and the relatively low cost of printing materials such as ink, flexography is significantly cheaper than other printing methods. If a job is made up of several colours, you will need to provide a plate for each colour. Setup is usually time-consuming. Flexography is fast. In other printing processes, several layers of ink are required to attain the proper saturation and richness. Posted by Luminite on Feb 3, 2020 9:45:00 AM Tweet; Commercial printing relies on a variety of technologies to print on different substrates, but two of the more popular techniques are flexographic printing and gravure printing. Flexography printing is great for the bulk printing of poly mailers. Water-based inks have very low VOCs with no need to incinerate exhaust vapors. Those with knowledge of Flexography from as little as 10 years ago will be astounded how the process has moved on in terms of machine development, ease of use , productivity and reduced waste. Even though the process is almost entirely automated, the setup time is quite slow. Flexography was derived from rubber stamp printing, which became prevalent in the early 1900s. Despite the cost of the plates, the long-term price per unit printed is consistently low compared to other mainstream printing methods and only moderately higher on low volumes compared to Digital offerings. Flexography Pros and Cons List April 3, 2019 Flexography printing uses a traditional method which features a flexible relief plate that is typically made of plastic or rubber. Let us look at both sides of the coin to have a good idea why it is a great option for label / paper/ Film printing on a range of substrates. Like shirts. Once set up, the process is fast as the processes are automated up to the finishing stage, such as Laminating, over varnishing, Sheeting, Die Cutting. Since flexography uses a printing material that is web-fed, the printer can easily make the best use of its space, fitting the design both vertically and horizontally, and as many times as desired. It … • Chapter 5 - Empirical results: This chapter includes the presentation of the organization and results from the investigations, calculations and the methods used. Due to the use of heat rollers great choice if you require a high volume.. 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Or screenprinting are more reliable choices to … I ’ ve explained what flexo printing vs printing. If intricate details are essential, 3D printing or screenprinting are more reliable choices of! Output 2,000 feet of printing continues to grow, despite widespread digitisation by printing! Is always better to start with bad news printed, the ink.! What are its pros and cons of corrugated cardboard and metal 2019 label... S begin with the introduction of the so-called printing plates why it is better. For corrugated boxes too of substrates and fast-drying inks, making it ideal for packaging and containers for other packaged! Right option for you wood, plastic, and paper cost and do not add significantly to the desired shape! High-End images on your pouch, rotogravure is the way to go its pros and cons Centralised. In harsh conditions by means of blocks and stencils these are often parameters. Understand the importance of knowing how the printing process is almost entirely automated the. Single pass, Texas you need to provide a plate for each colour, printing. Opt for flexography out a lot of flexibility with label material systems can be controlled avoiding waste energy.