Maxtone^™ is a hybrid AM screening solution that overcomes highlight and shadow reproduction limitations. Maxtone allows the operator to smooth the transition from highlights to midtones, effectively reducing the “flexo break” effect which can be seen in blends and vignettes. Flexo trade shops, printers and converters can now deliver offset-like print with improved detail, smoother vignettes, and better reproduction of the entire tonal range.

Maxtone allows the operator to set a minimum dot size in order to prevent the formation of dots that are too small for the flexo medium. To extend the tonal range, Maxtone uses an FM-like screening technique in the highlights and shadows. To create lighter shades, dots are removed in a random pattern. Producing lighter colors with fewer (rather than smaller) dots results in improved highlight detail and a more robust plate. Color blockup in darker shades is also controlled by selectively removing dots.

HyperFlex^™ improves the quality of Maxtone screening by allowing smaller dots to be formed on the flexo plate and held throughout the print process.