Printing technology
Until recently, two methods of printing were used for flexible packaging printing: flexography and gravure or copper printing. These two classical printing techniques require the production of clichés or copper cylinders, which serve to transfer colour to the material.
The new digital technology we use offers an alternative to classical rotogravure printing. This method ensures the highest printing quality and does not require clichés for the printing process itself, which provides great additional value.
Each technology has certain technical advantages and limitations. LabelProfi brings you the best from the world of digital printing on flexible packaging.
Digital printing
The key advantage of digital printing is that the printing itself does not require the production of expensive clichés, which in classical printing serve to transfer color to the material. Digital printing machines print directly on the substrate. This is precisely why digital technology is faster, more flexible and has significantly shorter print preparation times compared to traditional technology. The latter is an extremely important advantage when it comes to printing small series of products. Digital technology enables easy printing of variable data (numbering, bar or QR codes, variation of content, etc.) and personalized content, where each product can be unique and adapted to the user and the market. Digital technology ensures the highest print quality.
We use digital printing when it is required:
- manufacturing flexibility (frequent design changes)
- the highest print quality
- personalization
- variable data printing
- quick response - short delivery times
- small to medium series and many different final shapes
- production of sample batches for later large-scale production
- effective ecological and sustainable solutions
Flexo printing
In flexographic (flexo) printing, the image to be printed on the printed surface is printed from printing plates (clichés) coated with paint. Flexo printing works effectively on a variety of absorbent and non-absorbent materials, including metals, cellophane, paper and plastic.
Because flexo printing works at a higher speed than digital printing, it is an efficient choice for medium to high volume production with quality results. Due to the production of clichés, flexo printing, compared to digital printing, has very high initial costs and longer preparation of printing machines.
We use flexo printing when it is required:
- a large quantity of one type of product
- printing with special colors (PANTONE scale)
Gravure printing
Gravure printing is a process in which the desired image is engraved into a copper cylinder designed for printing. The printing cylinder is coated with ink and then printed onto the medium. This technological process is particularly economical and rational, especially in the production of large editions, such as magazines, newspapers, brochures, packaging and other products.
Gravure printing is used when it is required:
- large quantities of printing of one type of product
- high print quality
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