However, if the design has photographs or intricate details that require full-colour. This method was invented in 1796 by a German author Alois Senefelder. Registration with 4 color processes is also much more difficult. The production process also costs much less. Artwork Flow Flexographic printing has extremely high press speeds and is […] There are also some … Flexo is an economical option as manufacturers can print and cut the boxes in a single run. Picking the Right Packaging Printing Method for Cartons, Custom Printed Poly Mailers – Decode The Best Printing Method. Bulk printing is a tedious task and does require some level of optimization. For custom printing, flexographic vs lithographic is an age-old debate, as these two are conventional methods in the printing and packaging industry. The majority of newspapers, magazines and books are printed using offset litho. Tech@Bizongo Second, flexo presses generally use low-viscosity, fast-drying inks. Flexographic printing has a number of advantages over traditional lithographic printing presses. If your business needs speed and efficiency in terms of box production then selecting the flexo process is well suited to your needs. The printing machine applies this image onto the chosen label material. Save Letterpress is the "godfather" of printing. Bulk printing is a tedious task and does require some level of optimization. The key components of flexography to consider are artwork file setup and print plates. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Right after the Gutenberg Press popularized movable type back in the 15th century, letterpress had been the predominant printing technique for five centuries. Flexible – not limited to paper, can print on a variety of surfaces. Here, first, the print is made on paper and is then laminated on the box. The anilox roll spreads the ink on the printing plate. Packaging for Exports: How to Prepare Your Goods for A Trip Across The World. Finally, the manufacturer runs the substrate through a dryer to prevent smudging. It’s suitable for large printing jobs: the price per 1000 labels goes down as the number of labels goes up In its basic state, lithography takes advantage of the immiscibility of oil and water. To print the substrate, the rubber plate is transferred to it. Litho printing works best on flat cardboard packaging and paper. Flexo Printing Process vs. Lithographic Lithographic printing is a classic method of printing and has been used by many famous artists, including Currier and Ives, since its invention in the late 1700s. Advantages of offset printing. Disadvantages of flexographic printing. The manufacturer uses the anilox to distribute the ink on the flexo printing plate uniformly. However, while printing boxes, the procedure is not direct. Customer Stories Flexo Printing vs Litho Printing: The Similarities Both flexo and litho printing can produce reliable prints in very high volumes. Flexo is a printing technique used for bulk printing and utilizes flexible relief plates. The press applies ink to the printing plate, then from the plate to a rubber blanket, which transfers it to the object to be printed. Moreover, while printing smooth colors or gradients, flexographic printing has visible banding. Flexo Printing has increased it's popularity recently as better rubber plates are now able to … Careers Lithographic printing or Litho is a method of printing, initially based on the unmixable materials of oil and water. Flexo printing allows the inked surface to conform to many kinds of substrates, such as butcher paper, natural kraft, newsprint, chip and linerboard and coated boards. Unlike litho printing, flexo plates can be reused. Lithographic printing allows high colour detailing. Flexographic printing, or flexography, is a type of printing process that uses a flexible relief plate. Colour variation can be seen due to the water/ink mixture. This has led to an increase in individuals making the jump from lithography to flexography. Lithographic lamination is the second process used for box printing. Flexographic printing, or Flexo, is a technique for bulk printing using flexible relief plates. It also uses more ink. G.D. Palmer is a freelance writer and illustrator living in Milwaukee, Wis. She has been producing print and Web content for various organizations since 1998 and has been freelancing full-time since 2007. Flexographic printing, or flexo, is a relief printing technique similar to letterpress that employs rubber or soft plastic plates, a simple inking system and fast drying inks. Seller App – Android, Tel: +91 80 8000 4646 This makes it a good choice for packaging. When to Go the Litho Printing Route If your media is mostly flat, litho printing may be the way to go. Media, Design Square Oh my goodness! The manufacturer uses a partially immersed ink roller to apply ink on an. 75; Table 5.1 Global printing output by print process, 2014–24 ($ billion, constant 2017 prices & exchange rates; billion A4 prints) 79 A partially immersed ink roller applies ink to an anilox roll, which is covered in thousands of little cups or wells that distribute ink in a uniform thickness. Plates. One significant edge that flexo printing has over other printing technologies is its production speed, which results from a number of factors. Think back to the old Inkjet printers we used to have. Probably the two best advantages of flexo printing are the quality of the results and the versatility. The printing process you will eventually choose should solely depend on the design you have. It does indeed use a metal plate. Lithographic printing or Litho is a method of printing, initially based on the unmixable materials of oil and water. Then. Increasing the number of colours increases the number of stages, thereby increasing the cost. This is a low-cost printing method, and it has progressed much since 1970 after direct laser engraving was introduced. Lithographic printing is a method of printing, initially based on the unmixable materials of oil and water. Litho printing is most effective on flat paper and cardboard. also uses a printing plate. Flexographic printing requires an initial setup cost. The process can be used to print on paper, cardboard, plastic or other materials, but these have to have a flat surface.Below i… Compatible with both water-based as well as oil-based inks. Seller App – iOS Then, the substrate runs between the print roller and an impression cylinder. prints, then go ahead with lithographic printing. However, while printing boxes, the procedure is not direct. First, press setup or make-ready time is much shorter in flexo printing than in gravure or lithographic printing. Compared to lithography printing, flexography has noticeably lower printing quality. Flexography provides easier changeovers for short print runs and slight variations in print. The print takes on wear and tear, as it is printed on a paper surface. Incredible article dude! Flexo printing is suitable for any type of material, including plastic, metallic films and cellophane. This printing technique allows a lot of flexibility with label material. you so much. Modern lithographic printing uses an offset process. Flexo uses flexible plates mounted on a cylinder. If you’re looking to save on corrugated box procurement other than the printing factor, here’s your guide. Each process has its own benefits and downsides, and works best for specific purposes. Older flexo presses tended to produce relatively low quality prints, though new higher-end presses can rival lithography in clarity and quality. Yes, product packaging is meant to protect the product, but it does so much more than that. Lithography is used for anything that needs vibrant colours and is printed in large quantities. 4 Disadvantages of Flexography. A flexographic printing process uses an anilox roll to distribute ink onto a printing plate. Table 3.8 Summary timeline of litho print developments, 2019–24. The … It also offers a simpler and less expensive setup process for special printing effects and can handle unusual substrates, such as coated cardboards and papers. Unlike Offset Litho, the digital process does not require the use of plates and so it offers an earlier and faster method of printing. Preparing for litho printing costs little. It uses flexible plates mounted onto a cylinder. This gives the boxes glossy and premium finish. A corrugated box does not need to be standard/boring. The manufacturer applies the ink first on the plate and then on the surface. The printing process you will eventually choose should solely, depend on the design you have. Generally it is limited to six stations or colours CMYK and 2 specials. Many value-added processes, such as metallic inks, foils, specialty coating and embossing, require extra handling or long setup times. However, the printing method you’re employing needs to be useful as well as cost-effective. Similarities and Differences of Flexo Printing vs. Litho Printing Both flexo and litho printing are conventional bulk printing methods that use printing plates, and both methods can be cost-effective for more basic large print runs. Structural Packaging Definition and How It Applies To Flexo. It cannot be used for printing photo quality images. The anilox roll is a hard cylinder, usually made from steel or aluminium with a ceramic outer layer that comes with many dimples. That inked image is subsequently transferred (or offset) from the plate to a rubber blanket and then to the printing surface. Modern flexo-presses are now able to print at up to 250m per minute, much quicker than lithographic or even digital printing processes. Flexographic printing works on a wider range of substrates, including non-flat media. Unlike litho printing, flexo plates can be reused. If it is minimalistic with bright solid colours, then flexographic will be the ideal choice. Develop Plus, Partner Hub Rather, customizing it might just be the best branding technique you have used! Most presses mount the plate and the blanket on cylinders. Palmer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in writing and studio art from Beloit College in Beloit, Wis. Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images. Flexographic printing. Hence, once you are clear about parameters like a number of boxes to print, your budget, quality requirements and time in hand,  you can make an informed decision. Procure Live Imagine lakhs of corrugated boxes with your brand logo on it moving around the world! If it is minimalistic with bright solid colours, then flexographic will be the ideal choice. The surface of the plate is coated with fast-drying ink. Versatile – can be used on any non-absorbent material. It is widely used for food packaging. Flexo printing is typically not used with blank-fed converters. Required fields are marked *, Bizongo.com However, if the design has photographs or intricate details that require full-colour prints, then go ahead with lithographic printing. capabilities consistently growing and expanding as consumer demand shifts.. As the printing industry moves forward into 2020 and beyond, let’s take a fresh look at the technology available, how flexo has changed to meet consumer demand, and how 5 other popular printing methods compare. The anilox roll is a hard cylinder, usually made from steel or aluminium with a ceramic outer layer that comes with many dimples. . Finally, the press feeds the substrate through a dryer to prevent smudging. Are you rather looking for solutions regarding printing on cartons? Flexographic printing is one of the most common label printing techniques. Purchasing a flexo printing machine is a little like buying a car. In offset lithography a printing plate, which is most often made from aluminum, contains an image of the content that needs to be printed. Flexography, or flexo, has moved to the forefront of popular printing methods, with its . Flexo uses flexible plates mounted on a cylinder. These plates made of rubber or plastic contain a raised image of your label design. Each plate, with its slightly raised image, is rotated on a cylinder and coated with fast drying ink. Then this guide might help you out. 5 Ways To Make Sure You Save Costs On Corrugated Boxes, 5 Common Artwork Management Failures that Delay Product Launch. Here, first, the print is made on paper and is then laminated on the box. His purpose was to find a cheap way of publishing theatrical works. Lithography also works well to produce high-quality maps and packaging where special effects or regionalization aren't priorities. Knowing the key differences between the two will help you decide which process is right for your print job, especially if you're looking to print flyers and leafletsin large numbers. While lithographic printing dominated the market for most of the 20th century, flexo printing has increased in popularity. Your email address will not be published. It can also be more economical than litho printing, saving you money as you get your business off the ground or work to get out of the red. The corrugated boards run directly between the impression cylinder and the paint roller. Often, the print takes on wear and tear, as it is printed on a paper surface. Glad you liked the article. However, Litho is great for big printing projects, so the unit cost will decrease as the project quantity increases. In addition, lithographic printing for boxes also means higher cost. We can all agree that flexography (or flexo/flexographic printing) is a direct-impression print method. requires an initial setup cost. Litho printing works best on flat cardboard packaging and paper. To produce an impression, letterpress printers had to construct individual letters and characters into a "forme", secure them into a … Like all the other printing methods, Flexography printing has its disadvantages. Lithography is used for anything that needs vibrant colours and is printed in large quantities. Flexography and lithography produce high-volume, reliable prints. The manufacturer uses the anilox to distribute the ink on the flexo printing plate uniformly. In this method, a surface area with elevated letters is inked and hard-pressed to the top of the printing substrate to recreate a text or an image in reverse. Manufacturers use these printing techniques to produce packaging, maps, books and most other printed paper materials. You want the right balance of safety, functionality, and quality without breaking the bank. It is suitable for printing a large number of boxes that do not require colour detailing. Lithography production costs more, and presses can be very expensive. Factors like budget at hand, time constraints, quality of the print, and how boxes are going to be used – shipping or retail come into play. About Us Not advanced enough to produce complicated and extensive artwork. Once the machine starts running, the printing process is very quick. It is a relief printing form where the image area is raised above the surface of the printing plate. Flexo printing is used to apply graphics to many substrates, including corrugated boxes, labels, flexible packaging, and more. Offset lithography provides an inexpensive, well-tested option that works for most flat media. Many have now seen the significant benefits and cost reduction that switching from lithography to flexography can have on their packaging production costs. However, lithographic printing does have a downside. This means a flexible printing plate is attached to a cylinder. If you need a big job in a hurry or need a large quantity of a repeating pattern, then flexography may be the right choice for you. Thank Flexographic printing equipment are quite complex in nature with a number of integral systems built into the process. Nonetheless, when we speak of corrugated boxes, we need then in bulk. Flexography offers a reduced production cost, but much higher setup. Factors like budget at hand, time constraints, quality of the print, and how boxes are going to be used – shipping or retail come into play. , we need then in bulk. Litho Printing is used for everything from stationary to food packaging cartons. If you package your product in a box, get out of the box. Digital and litho printing are two completely different printing methods, and each has its own strengths. Through a dryer to prevent smudging the name suggests, flexo presses tended to produce high-quality maps packaging. Printing can produce reliable prints in very high volumes of colours increases the number of stages, increasing... In nature with a ceramic outer layer that comes with many dimples then here is a tedious and. That needs vibrant colours and is then laminated on the flexo printing is most effective on flat and. 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