Stress Test: Aquaflex Optima Flexo Plate

Recently I had the opportunity to run a 1-color fingerprint at Clemson University in conjunction with another project I was working on there. The main purpose of the 1-color fingerprint was to determine the minimum type size the Aquaflex Optima flexo plate could hold and print cleanly, but I thought, why not take this chance to also test the threshold of the halftone screening capabilities? The results were surprising... The Difference is in the Details:  The Aquaflex Optima line of flexo plate materials requires little to no bump curve since it has a minimized oxygen inhibition effect (see the article: Unique Dot Formation Yields Optimal Print). This allows the plate to hold very fine detail without special imaging or exposure conditions. Also, the plate transfers ink cleanly without buildup, allowing high-LPI artwork to stay open and free of fit bridging. The Proof is in the Pudding: Well, in this case... the proof is in the print! Here is a glimpse of the print results from the 1-color press run at Clemson's Sonoco Institute for Packaging and Graphics: Min Printing Dot @ 175 LPI = 1.0% Min Printing Dot @ 198 LPI = 2.1% Min Printing Dot @ 223 LPI = 2.7% Min Printing Dot @ 236 LPI = 4.3% Min Printing Dot @ 248 LPI = 3.8% Positive Type Threshold = 1 point Reverse Type Threshold = 1 point Press: OMET VaryFlex, 1200 lpi/1.8 bcm anilox, Lohmann 5.1 mounting tape, UV ink. Results above measured using Techkon's SpecroDens spectrodensitometer. Heard it All Before? Another familiar saying? Same old, same old? Not exactly. The Aquaflex Optima plate outshines it's aqueous competitors in more ways than one. With unsurpassed equipment options, ease of cleaning, durability on press, and excellent print quality, this plate is no ordinary photopolymer. Still skeptical? Give it a try! We'd be happy to send you a linear fingerprint plate to run on your flexo press. Email [email protected] if you're interested in running a trial, or would like to read the full report.