Articles on Pressroom

The Quiet [Plate] Killer One very common yet difficult question to answer in our industry is, “How many feet or impressions should I expect to get out of my photopolymer plates?” Considering the number of factors that must be taken into consideration, certainly anyone faced with this question should hesitate at least momentarily before answering. … Read More...
Rich solids. Smooth vignettes. Intricate details. Design elements like these continue to challenge the Flexo industry to improve. Many of today’s flexo printers continue to rise to those challenges with innovations and processes that advance their Flexo print capabilities. In an effort to showcase the advancements in flat top plates, high-end screening, and UV-LED concurrent … Read More...
One of the most difficult questions to answer in our industry is, “How long should my plate last?” Or, in other words, “How many feet should I expect to get out of my photopolymer plates?” Considering the number of factors that must be taken into consideration, certainly anyone faced with this question should hesitate at … Read More...
Learn how expanded gamut technology raises your productivity and makes printing more profitable. A lot of companies are still not sure whether or not fixed palette printing is a good idea. This document from Esko demystifies a number of common recurring beliefs about extended gamut technology that keep printing companies from reaching their full potential. … Read More...
Flexo End Seals 1.) When ordering your flexo end seals, make sure they are made of a material that is compatible with the type of ink or coating being used, the length of the run, and the press speed. Today there are a number of end seal material options for all types of inks that … Read More...
Setting Deck Impressions Purpose: There are two impression settings discussed in this procedure – anilox-to-plate impression and plate-to-substrate impression. Each setting can be adjusted by very small increments. The process may be fairly automated or it may be more manual and require the operator to use tools such as a feeler gauge. This procedure does … Read More...
Achieving Ideal Doctor Blade Alignment Ideal Doctor Blade alignment is achieved when the Doctor Blade wipes ink off of the top of the cell walls of the Anilox Roll consistently and effectively. This requires that the blade holding device be properly aligned to the Anilox roll. Misalignment can effect the blade Contact Angle and the … Read More...
The anilox roll is often considered the heartbeat of the pressroom. They are a major contributor to high quality and productivity or, in turn can be a direct cause of print defects and machine downtime. They also represent a large investment by the company. Many problems can be avoided and money saved with a well-maintained … Read More...
Blade Contact Angle Importance for Enclosed Doctor Blade Chambers There are two angles that are of concern in Flexo metering. The first is the "Set Angle": which is the angle machined into the holder or chamber. The second is the "Contact Angle": that is the actual blade ink shearing angle. Both angles are measured off … Read More...
Hearing loss is cumulative and once lost, can never be regained. The best way to protect your hearing is to create a habit of wearing comfortable hearing protection. Several types of earplugs, bands, or earmuffs are available with various levels of performance (measured as high Noise Reduction Ratings, or NRR) and most importantly, comfort for … Read More...