Flexographic printing is a printing technique used today for packaging materials, labels, and similar products. For this reason, it is frequently preferred in the packaging industry. The primary purpose of this printing method is to print on large areas and it is known for printing quickly. Flexo printing is suitable for printing on materials with flexible and flat surfaces and is generally preferred for printing on materials such as cardboard, plastic films, metal foils, and paper. One of the most important features of the flexo print applied by Üçsa Ambalaj is that it can print colorful and remarkable designs in high quality.
What is Flexographic Printing Technique?
The flexographic printing technique starts with the material to be printed in flexo printing being at a certain height from the body of the plate. This raised printing surface is coated with ink with the help of a cylinder and then this cylinder is brought into contact with the printing material. This technique is based on applying the ink in thin layers and printing on the surface. The design to be printed is engraved on a flexo printing plate and achieved with laser technology. In this way, the surfaces with raised printing surfaces absorb the ink and transfer it to the surface to be printed. Üçsa Ambalaj flexo printing techniques, which we enrich with lacquer applications, have a 100% printing and color system.
Materials Used in Flexographic Printing
The materials used in flexographic printing are as follows:
- Flexographic Plates: Contains the raised surface of the print design. It has a flexible structure and can be bent easily. These plates are etched or laser-etched onto the surface of the design.
- Printing Material: The material on which the print will be made. It is usually plastic film, paper, cardboard, or metal foil.
- Printing Cylinder: The cylinder where the design is transferred. It is in contact with the printing material.
- Ink Cylinder: The cylinder that carries the ink. It covers the raised surfaces of the plate.
- Anilox Cylinder: The cylinder that transfers the ink to the printing surface. It ensures that it is smoothly removed from the plate.
Our flexo printing techniques that we apply as Üçsa Ambalaj can work at high speeds and are effective on large surface areas. For this reason, flexo printing is common in the packaging industry. Thanks to its high color pigments and fast production processes, it is a preferred printing technique and is especially suitable for a large number of prints.
What are the Advantages of Flexographic Printing Technique?
The flexographic printing technique is a type of printing that offers many advantages, especially in the packaging industry and commercial label printing. Here are the advantages of flexographic printing technique:
- Packaging Applications: Flexographic printing is the most ideal printing type for printing on packaging. For this reason, it is preferred for printing products such as food packaging.
- Speed and Efficiency: This type of printing is a technique that can work at high speeds. It allows a large number of products to be printed quickly, thus increasing production efficiency.
- Low Costs: The preparation of printing plates used in flexographic printing usually costs low prices. This is economical for materials to be printed in large quantities.
- Wide Range of Materials: The application of flexographic printing is suitable for many types of materials. It can flexo print on different substrates such as plastic film, metal foil, paper, and cardboard.
- Color Accuracy and Intensity: The most well-known feature of flexo printing is its high color intensity and the fact that fine details are not lost. In this way, flexo printing is important in printing multi-colored and remarkable designs.
- Environmentally Friendly: In line with the demands for environmentally friendly and sustainable packaging, flexo printing technique can be used appropriately with environmentally friendly inks and recyclable materials.
Flexographic printing, which is also used by Üçsa Ambalaj, has become an effective printing technique with a wide range of uses in the packaging sectors and label printing with these advantages.
Flexographic Printing Process and Stages
Flexographic printing is a method used especially for packaging and commercial printing. Here are the basic stages of the flexographic printing process:
- Design Preparation: First, the design to be printed is prepared. These designs are made using computer-aided design (CAD) software. The colors, details and layout of the design are determined at this stage.
- Preparation of Flexographic Plates: Flexo plates are prepared in order to transfer the design to the printing surface. These plates contain the raised areas of the design. Usually made of flexible polymer or rubber, these plates can be easily bent. Designs are transferred to the plate by laser or engraving methods.
- Ink: Inks to be used in flexographic printing. These inks are then transferred to the printing surface and printed. At this stage, ink colors and types are selected according to the person or institution receiving the service.
- Adjusting the Printing Machine: The flexographic printing machine is prepared for the correct placement of the plates and cylinders. Inks are placed on the anilox cylinder. Then the printing material is also placed on the machine.
- Printing Process: The anilox roller transfers the ink to the flexo plate. While the ink passes to the raised areas of the plate, the flat areas do not absorb the ink. In this way, the protruding parts of the design are covered with ink.
- Transfer to the Printing Material: The flexo plate sends the area covered with ink to the printing material. The printing material is also brought into contact with the flexo plate by the printing cylinder. Thus, the design is transferred onto the printing material.
- Drying Process: After the printing process is finished, the ink on the design is left to dry. At this stage, the design is expected to be fixed. Afterwards, the printing material is often cut into rolls and folded, ready for further finishing.
Flexographic printing stages bring a fast result, mostly in cases that require mass production. Üçsa Ambalaj achieves successful results with the right adjustments, quality plates and appropriate ink selections in processes.
Industrial Uses of Flexographic Printing
Flexographic printing is a printing method with a wide range of industrial uses. It is especially preferred in the packaging and commercial printing sectors. Here are the industrial uses of flexo printing:
- Packaging Industry: Flexographic printing is an ideal technique for printing on packaging materials. Different types of packaging such as food packaging, plastic bags, pouches, pharmaceutical packaging, and cardboard boxes can be printed with flexo printing.
- Flexible Packaging Materials: Flexible packaging materials are used for packaging products such as pasta, coffee, tea, cookies, and nuts. Flexographic printing on such flexible materials is suitable.
- Label Printing: Product labels used especially in the food, beverage, personal care products and pharmaceutical industry are important for brand awareness. For this reason, flexo printing is preferred for fast and high-quality printing of labels.
- Plastic Film and Foil Printing: Plastic films and foils are used for packaging materials and industrial products. Flexographic printing is an effective method for printing colorful designs on these materials.
- Magazine and Newspaper Printing: Flexographic printing is used for printing large-scale printing materials such as magazines and newspapers. The fast production capability and high quality of flexo printing make it valuable in this sector.
- Hygiene Products Packaging: Flexographic printing can be preferred in the packaging of products such as baby diapers and sanitary pads.
- Paper Products Printing: Flexographic printing can be used for printing paper products such as business cards, catalogs, and brochures, especially cardboard boxes.
- Plastic Cover Labels: Flexographic printing can be used to print labels on beverage bottles, jars, or plastic lids.
The flexographic printing method, which is widely used among industries, is highly preferred thanks to its wide range of applications. With the flexo printing service offered by Üçsa Ambalaj, high speed, low cost, and flexibility can be preferred in many different sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flexographic Printing
In which industries is flexographic printing widely used?
The area of use of flexo printing is quite wide. It is generally preferred in sectors such as flexible packaging, labels, newspapers, magazines, and hygiene products. Üçsa Ambalaj makes flexographic printing applications in food packaging, chemical and hygienic product packaging, and pet food packaging.
Which materials can flexographic printing be applied to?
Flexo printing can be applied to many different materials. In particular, flexographic printing can be applied to many different materials such as plastic, paper, cardboard, metal, and flexible packaging materials. As Üçsa Ambalaj, we make high-quality prints on the desired material with the flexo printing technique.
What are the advantages of flexographic printing over other printing methods?
The advantages of flexographic printing over other printing methods include fast production, high printing speed, low cost, and a wide range of materials. While performing flexo printing applications, Üçsa Ambalaj makes very fast and high-resolution packaging prints and highlights your brand in your market.
