Full HD Flexo from Esko – Is this really something new and improved or just more of the same?

Wait for it....Well, it depends. I know you love to hear that answer, but really it kinda is and kinda isn't, "more of the same" that is. Yes, Full HD Flexo is more of the same innovations we have been bantering about for the last few years - hi-res output, solid screening, "flat-top" dots, yadda, yadda, yadda - but what makes it unique and a bit more exciting is that it is all those things combined into one package with some shiny new improvements to boot. Frankly, I think Full HD Flexo is still much like HD Flexo. It has its advantages, but there are many circumstances where it may have little to no measurable benefit. The basic concept for Full HD Flexo, is mixing HD Flexo with Inline UV2 and then sprinkling in some innovation with screening techniques and drum control to create a hi-res plate with "roundish-top" highlight dots and "flat-top" mid-tone to solid areas. Provided you are not being forced to adopt this solution by competitive pressures or your customers, the key is testing the solution with a given set of parameters to see if it is a good fit or not. In general, I think film printers are more likely to see gains; however, the substrate, ink and plate type all play critical roles and can make or break the success of this technology. If you are a good candidate for HD Flexo, then you will probably see even more gains from Full HD Flexo, notably in the solid ink densities (SIDs) where there have been further refinements to the solid screening solutions. Where HD Flexo may have offered slight to no improvements to solids, there are now more options, better options, for Full HD solid screening to make the SID increase something to take notice of. For those that tested HD Flexo and did not see much advantage, I would still encourage you to test Full HD Flexo to see if that still stands.
All that being said, there are some production efficiencies that should also be acknowledged with Full HD Flexo. Completing the plate face exposure inline with the ablation process will help to streamline the digital Flexo plate making process. As with Inline UV2, there are also potential production advantages for the pressroom with having "flat-top" dots in the mid-tones and up through the solids - namely improved impression latitude, more consistent ink film thickness and higher SID. Now you may be wondering where Pixel+ fits into all of this. Well, it doesn't exactly. It is its own thing. While Pixel+ uses the same screening options for the solids, it does not include Inline UV2 and by extension you lose the advantages of exposing inline with the laser. In this case, you are combining Esko's screening with a plate vendors "flat-top" dot technology. Two things to point out here. First, since you are using the plate vendors "flat-top" dot solution, both highlight and shadow areas share the same [1:1] exposure. Meaning you don't get the advantage of "roundish-top" highlight dots and "flat-top" mid-tone to solid areas. Remember Full HD Flexo allows you the benefits of both all within a given plate. Second, you can only purchase Pixel+ through your plate vendor/dealer, it is not sold by Esko. Likewise, your plate vendor is the one who will set you up with this solution. As with any new innovation or technology, you really have to experience it for yourself. I would encourage you to step back and really try to take in the full picture though. Look at every part of your workflow and see if and where quality and/or efficiency improvements stand out. Want to know more about Esko HD Flexo? Click here: Esko HD Flexo - A New Standard for Flexo.. Also be sure to check out the Full HD Flexo brochure: [Click here to download].