Part 3 - Ink Spitting In this article, we revisit an earlier article from 2009, Trouble shooting "Ink Spitting", originally written by Tim Reece, this version includes updates by Catherine Haynes. UV Ink Spitting While UV inks continue to increase in popularity over water-based and solvent-based inks due to their outstanding print results, especially in … Read More...
Articles on Process Control
Dirty Print Introduction Dirty print is a bothersome printing defect that stems from a wide array of potential causes. From the pressroom to prepress and platemaking, there are many factors that may contribute to this defect. As higher printing resolutions are demanded of flexographic printers, it is imperative that the process itself is capable of … Read More...
Ghosting Over the years, APR has shared many articles that assist in identifying and reaction to print defects such as dirty print, ink spitting, and ghosting. But as technology, equipment, and operating techniques develop, we find it necessary to revisit these areas of concern that continue to challenge many of us on a daily basis. … Read More...
Ask a person ordering anilox rolls what his or her greatest fear is, as it relates to anilox rolls, and the answer you're likely to get is "that the darned thing will get scored as soon as we put it in the press." It's a common refrain. Excluding accidental occurrences such as a blade hold-down … Read More...
Introduction This multi-part article will explore some of the more common but less controlled causes for replacing the photopolymer printing plate. Reasons for replacing an expensive photopolymer plates can vary greatly. In Part 1 of this series we focused on many advantages of deep plate cleaning with automatic plate washing systems, including how we extend … Read More...
Introduction There is certainly no shortage of articles written on how to store and handle photopolymer printing plates in order to maximize performance and extend life. We know that exposure to ultraviolet light and ozone damages the plate once it reaches production, but when it comes down to reasons for replacing an expensive photopolymer plate … Read More...
In outlining the process control parameters involved in optimizing the color gamut for flexo print reproduction, it was stated in Part 1 of this series that "the path forward involves the commitment to a stringent process control plan...from prepress and proofing, through plate making and on to print reproduction." In practice, however, the path for … Read More...
We certainly live in a world today where exceptional print quality with flexo is no longer considered a "premium"-it is a given expectation of our customers. So, the real challenge now lies in providing these expected quality levels by the most cost efficient and productive means available. Historically, our most common approach in achieving consistency and stability in the end result has been with the application of spot colors. This approach, however, does little to contribute to our goals related to efficiency and productivity. Read More...