16 Jan flexo vs litho printing

Compatible with both water-based as well as oil-based inks. Flexographic printing works on a wider range of substrates, including non-flat media. Lithographic envelopes have traditionally been converted into an envelope on blank fed presses only. The key components of flexography to consider are artwork file setup and print plates. Lithographic lamination is the second process used for box printing. Lithographic printing allows high colour detailing. Picking the Right Packaging Printing Method for Cartons, Custom Printed Poly Mailers – Decode The Best Printing Method. 75; Table 5.1 Global printing output by print process, 2014–24 ($ billion, constant 2017 prices & exchange rates; billion A4 prints) 79 Are you rather looking for solutions regarding printing on cartons? Flexo is an economical option as manufacturers can print and cut the boxes in a single run. Lithographic printing or Litho is a method of printing, initially based on the unmixable materials of oil and water. However, while printing boxes, the procedure is not direct. If you’re looking to save on corrugated box procurement other than the printing factor, here’s your guide. Table 3.8 Summary timeline of litho print developments, 2019–24. Finally, the manufacturer runs the substrate through a dryer to prevent smudging. However, if the design has photographs or intricate details that require full-colour. The manufacturer uses the anilox to distribute the ink on the flexo printing plate uniformly. The anilox roll is a hard cylinder, usually made from steel or aluminium with a ceramic outer layer that comes with many dimples. However, new advancements have allowed more lithographic printing to occur on continuous rolls, then the rolls are attached to web-fed machines for envelope conversion. you so much. Flexo uses flexible plates mounted on a cylinder. While lithographic printing dominated the market for most of the 20th century, flexo printing has increased in popularity. Here, first, the print is made on paper and is then laminated on the box. This method was invented in 1796 by a German author Alois Senefelder. The printing process you will eventually choose should solely, depend on the design you have. Unlike Offset Litho, the digital process does not require the use of plates and so it offers an earlier and faster method of printing. Hence, once you are clear about parameters like a number of boxes to print, your budget, quality requirements and time in hand,  you can make an informed decision. Lithographic Printing vs Flexographic Printing Both of these printing processes offer numerous advantages to the customer. requires an initial setup cost. [email protected]. Registration with 4 color processes is also much more difficult. Flexo Printing has increased it's popularity recently as better rubber plates are now able to … Flexo printing is suitable for any type of material, including plastic, metallic films and cellophane. Each process has its own benefits and downsides, and works best for specific purposes. Flexographic printing, also known as Offset printing, is a method of printing that uses flexible printing plates made of rubber or plastic. This printing technique allows a lot of flexibility with label material. . Litho Printing is used for everything from stationary to food packaging cartons. Flexographic printing, or Flexo, is a technique for bulk printing using flexible relief plates. Bulk printing is a tedious task and does require some level of optimization. If it is minimalistic with bright solid colours, then flexographic will be the ideal choice. Like all the other printing methods, Flexography printing has its disadvantages. The process can be used to print on paper, cardboard, plastic or other materials, but these have to have a flat surface.Below i… Flexographic printing, or Flexo, is a technique for bulk printing using flexible relief plates. Unlike litho printing, flexo plates can be reused. The ink is first applied on the printing plate and then, from the printing plate to a rubber blanket. It is the oldest printing technique. Lithography is used for anything that needs vibrant colours and is printed in large quantities. Older flexo presses tended to produce relatively low quality prints, though new higher-end presses can rival lithography in clarity and quality. 5 Ways To Make Sure You Save Costs On Corrugated Boxes, 5 Common Artwork Management Failures that Delay Product Launch. 4 Disadvantages of Flexography. Flexo uses flexible plates mounted on a cylinder. Compared to lithography printing, flexography has noticeably lower printing quality. Flexographic printing is one of the most common label printing techniques. Once the machine starts running, the printing process is very quick. In this method, a surface area with elevated letters is inked and hard-pressed to the top of the printing substrate to recreate a text or an image in reverse. In its basic state, lithography takes advantage of the immiscibility of oil and water. However, lithographic printing does have a downside. This makes it a good choice for packaging. Palmer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in writing and studio art from Beloit College in Beloit, Wis. Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images. When to Go the Litho Printing Route If your media is mostly flat, litho printing may be the way to go. If you package your product in a box, get out of the box. Flexography, or flexo, has moved to the forefront of popular printing methods, with its . Flexo printing is typically not used with blank-fed converters. To produce an impression, letterpress printers had to construct individual letters and characters into a "forme", secure them into a … Seller App – Android, Tel: +91 80 8000 4646 prints, then go ahead with lithographic printing. A corrugated box does not need to be standard/boring. Preparing for litho printing costs little. Is Your Business Choosing The Right Type of Corrugated Boxes? Manufacturers use these printing techniques to produce packaging, maps, books and most other printed paper materials. The anilox roll is a hard cylinder, usually made from steel or aluminium with a ceramic outer layer that comes with many dimples. To print the substrate, the rubber plate is transferred to it. If it is minimalistic with bright solid colours, then flexographic will be the ideal choice. Develop Plus, Partner Hub Most presses mount the plate and the blanket on cylinders. The ink is first applied on the printing plate and then, from the printing plate to a rubber blanket. Flexographic printing. 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. Then, the substrate runs between the print roller and an impression cylinder. Get more such blog posts on https://bizongo.com/blog/, Your email address will not be published. The direct printing process uses flexographic, or “flexo”, technology, and is ideal for clients that have settled on a design and would like to keep their custom printing plates for a longer period of time. However, while printing boxes, the procedure is not direct. The print takes on wear and tear, as it is printed on a paper surface. It also offers a simpler and less expensive setup process for special printing effects and can handle unusual substrates, such as coated cardboards and papers. Not advanced enough to produce complicated and extensive artwork. Flexographic printing, or flexo, is a relief printing technique similar to letterpress that employs rubber or soft plastic plates, a simple inking system and fast drying inks. Flexo technique requires the creation of the so-called printing plates. It can also print on plastics, metallic films, cellophane, paper, and even on corrugated surfaces. Required fields are marked *, Bizongo.com Once in the production process, the plate is covered with ink and then the plate directly impresses the … It is widely used for food packaging. Flexographic vs Lithographic is definitely an interesting topic to have a discussion on but, both of them have their share of pros and cons. It has a faster startup time and can print using a wide variety of ink on almost any substrate. If your business needs speed and efficiency in terms of box production then selecting the flexo process is well suited to your needs. It can also be more economical than litho printing, saving you money as you get your business off the ground or work to get out of the red. Versatile – can be used on any non-absorbent material. Packaging for Exports: How to Prepare Your Goods for A Trip Across The World. Generally it is limited to six stations or colours CMYK and 2 specials. Save Letterpress is the "godfather" of printing. The … Purchasing a flexo printing machine is a little like buying a car. Media, Design Square A partially immersed ink roller applies ink to an anilox roll, which is covered in thousands of little cups or wells that distribute ink in a uniform thickness. Lithographic printing or Litho is a method of printing, initially based on the unmixable materials of oil and water. Lithography is used for anything that needs vibrant colours and is printed in large quantities. The majority of newspapers, magazines and books are printed using offset litho. It is possible to print thousands of labels in a short period of time. They can be used to produce quality product packaging, labels, and a wide variety of printed paper materials. Oh my goodness! Each color is a separate print plate that must be purchased, and factored into the price of your packaging job. When the plate is inked, only this image part holds ink. So, if you are ordering custom corrugated box, then here is a guide to solving the flexography vs lithography confusion. Now, Lithography is used for anything that needs vibrant colours and is printed in large quantities. Each plate, with its slightly raised image, is rotated on a cylinder and coated with fast drying ink. The anilox roll spreads the ink on the printing plate. First, press setup or make-ready time is much shorter in flexo printing than in gravure or lithographic printing. Your email address will not be published. Modern lithographic printing uses an offset process. Imagine lakhs of corrugated boxes with your brand logo on it moving around the world! This gives the boxes glossy and premium finish. Rather, customizing it might just be the best branding technique you have used! Careers G.D. Palmer is a freelance writer and illustrator living in Milwaukee, Wis. She has been producing print and Web content for various organizations since 1998 and has been freelancing full-time since 2007. capabilities consistently growing and expanding as consumer demand shifts.. As the printing industry moves forward into 2020 and beyond, let’s take a fresh look at the technology available, how flexo has changed to meet consumer demand, and how 5 other popular printing methods compare. Factors like budget at hand, time constraints, quality of the print, and how boxes are going to be used – shipping or retail come into play. That inked image is subsequently transferred (or offset) from the plate to a rubber blanket and then to the printing surface. It uses flexible plates mounted onto a cylinder. About Us His purpose was to find a cheap way of publishing theatrical works. You want the right balance of safety, functionality, and quality without breaking the bank. Right after the Gutenberg Press popularized movable type back in the 15th century, letterpress had been the predominant printing technique for five centuries. The manufacturer applies the ink first on the plate and then on the surface. Often, the print takes on wear and tear, as it is printed on a paper surface. Customer Stories There are also some … The corrugated boards run directly between the impression cylinder and the paint roller. However, if the design has photographs or intricate details that require full-colour prints, then go ahead with lithographic printing. It’s suitable for large printing jobs: the price per 1000 labels goes down as the number of labels goes up Many have now seen the significant benefits and cost reduction that switching from lithography to flexography can have on their packaging production costs. Procure Live It is a relief printing form where the image area is raised above the surface of the printing plate. Most major book and magazine publishers use this method. This means a flexible printing plate is attached to a cylinder. Flexographic printing, or Flexo, is a technique for bulk printing using flexible relief plates. Lithography also works well to produce high-quality maps and packaging where special effects or regionalization aren't priorities. Litho printing is most effective on flat paper and cardboard. Modern flexo-presses are now able to print at up to 250m per minute, much quicker than lithographic or even digital printing processes. 73; Table 3.9 Summary timeline of flexo developments, 2019–24. In addition, lithographic printing for boxes also means higher cost. However, the printing method you’re employing needs to be useful as well as cost-effective. , we need then in bulk. Advantages of offset printing. Yes, product packaging is meant to protect the product, but it does so much more than that. Digital Printing. Flexography offers a reduced production cost, but much higher setup. The good news is that the disadvantages are not many, which is among the reasons why it is popular. Offset lithographic printing works best on flat media and in large runs. Flexo printing vs offset printing: the pros and cons. It is suitable for printing a large number of boxes that do not require colour detailing. It cannot be used for printing photo quality images. Structural Packaging Definition and How It Applies To Flexo. Colour variation can be seen due to the water/ink mixture. One significant edge that flexo printing has over other printing technologies is its production speed, which results from a number of factors. Many value-added processes, such as metallic inks, foils, specialty coating and embossing, require extra handling or long setup times. These plates made of rubber or plastic contain a raised image of your label design. A flexographic printing process uses an anilox roll to distribute ink onto a printing plate. Digital and litho printing are two completely different printing methods, and each has its own strengths. Flexo Printing Process vs. Lithographic Lithographic printing is a classic method of printing and has been used by many famous artists, including Currier and Ives, since its invention in the late 1700s. Thank For custom printing, flexographic vs lithographic is an age-old debate, as these two are conventional methods in the printing and packaging industry. Although the cost per sheet is higher using digital, this price is offset by the cost saving of avoiding all the technical steps, time and personnel required to print Litho. The printing machine applies this image onto the chosen label material. Game Of Presses – House Flexo Vs. House Litho Here at Packaging Design, we love a great play on words, and so when it comes to IRON (historically how printing presses were referred to by insiders in the industry) we thought there was no greater reference than the Iron Throne from the HBO series Game of Thrones. That inked image is subsequently transferred ( or offset ) from the printing process a blanket. Since 1970 flexo vs litho printing direct laser engraving was introduced low-cost printing method for cartons, printed... Or flexo, has moved to the forefront of popular printing methods with. Typically not used with blank-fed converters 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group media, all Rights Reserved lower quality... 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