Flexo printing is a type of printing technique that is widely used for the printing of different materials, such as textile labels, plastic, metal, cloth, etc. It is flexible and economic. Flexible plates are a core part of flexographic printing and are mounted on printing cylinders and linked with rollers. As the materials go through the printing cylinders, the rubber flexo plates transfer ink onto the surfaces of those substrates.
They are also called flexo presses, flexo printers, or flexo printing machines. They can produce high-quality prints at low prices and fast speeds. Printing with the flexographic machine is a popular option for labels, packaging, newspapers, magazines, books, and many other things.
There are many different types of flexographic printers available on the market, depending on their features and configurations for different applications.
In this blog post, we will introduce some of the common types of flexographic printing machines and their advantages and disadvantages.
Stack Type Flexographic Printing Machine
A stack type flexographic printing machine has several printing units stacked vertically on top of each other. Each unit prints one color and has its own plate cylinder, anilox roller, ink fountain, impression cylinder, and drying system. The substrate passes through each unit sequentially from bottom to top or vice versa.
The main advantage of a stack type flexographic printing machine is that it can print on both sides of the substrate simultaneously. It can also handle thick and rigid substrates, such as cardboard or metal foil. However, a stack type flexographic printing machine has some drawbacks as well. It requires a lot of space and maintenance due to its complex structure. It also has limited registration accuracy and color control due to the mechanical movement of the units.
Central Impression (CI) Flexographic Printing Machine
A central impression (CI) flexographic printing machine has a single large impression cylinder that supports the substrate throughout the printing process. The printing units are arranged around the impression cylinder in a circular or oval shape. Each unit prints one color and has its own plate cylinder, anilox roller, ink fountain, and drying system.
The main advantage of a central impression (CI) flexographic printing machine is that it can print on thin and flexible substrates with high registration accuracy and color consistency. It can also achieve faster speeds and lower waste than a stack type flexographic printing machine. However, a central impression (CI) flexographic printing machine has some limitations as well. It cannot print on both sides of the substrate at once. It also has difficulty handling substrates with high stretchability or shrinkage.
Inline Flexo Press
An inline flexographic printing machine has several printing units arranged horizontally in a line along the web direction. Each unit prints one color and has its own plate cylinder, anilox roller, ink fountain, impression cylinder and drying system The substrate passes through each unit consecutively from left to right or right to left.
The main advantage of an inline flexographic printing machine is that it can integrate various finishing operations into the printing process such as die-cutting laminating embossing or varnishing It can also print on both sides of the substrate with additional units However an inline flexographic printing machine has some disadvantages as well It requires a long web path and high tension control to maintain registration accuracy It also consumes more energy and produces more noise than other types of flexographic printing machines.
Conclusion
Flexographic printing machines are powerful tools for producing high-quality prints on various substrates at high speeds and low costs. However there is no one-size-fits-all solution for choosing the best type of flexographic printing machine for your needs You need to consider factors such as your budget space substrate application and quality requirements before making a decision
We hope this blog post has given you some insights into the different types of flexographic printing machines and their pros and cons. If you are interested in our textile label ribbon flexo printing machine or have any queries about it, Please don't hesitate to contact us.
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