Corrugated packaging and printing has come a long way in recent years. Although durable in transit, the corrugated substrate is spongy and can be easily crushed when printing flawlessly. As a result, companies once had to settle for shipping products and presenting boxes printed with dull, low-resolution images and text that were less appealing to consumers. Today’s advanced technologies and materials have revolutionized corrugated packaging printing. With these advancements, coupled with the ever-increasing capabilities of flexo, brands can use corrugated product boxes at the same time to increase product awareness and brand awareness.
Of course, this is also thanks to the lightness and durability of the material, ideal for transport. If you’re considering purchasing a flexo carton printing machine, you need to know what to look for in order to choose the best option for your needs. There are many factors that you should take into consideration, including cost, applications, and reliability. Read on for some important tips. After you’ve read this article, you’ll be prepared to make an informed decision when choosing a flexo printing machine.
Features of Flexo Printing Machine
Pinlong flexo carton printing machine combines both lithographic and flexographic printing techniques to transform paperboard into a range of packaging options. These include plastic, foil, and acetate film. In addition to traditional retail bags, flexo carton printing can be used for flexible packaging such as milk cartons, gift wrap bags, and food pouches. Flexo printing is a high-speed method of printing on a variety of substrates. High-end printers can reach speeds of up to 2000 feet per minute. This type of printing is popular in the converting industry and is suitable for a wide range of end-uses. Large rolls of material are produced on a flexo press, which are then slit on a slitting machine.
Another feature of flexographic printing is the anilox roll, which transfers ink in a uniform thickness onto the flexible printing plate. The anilox roll is equipped with finely engraved cells that correspond to particular ink capacities. In addition to this, the printing plate is scraped with a doctor blade. These blades were originally made of steel, but advanced versions are made of polymer materials and feature different types of beveled edges. The corrugated carton flexo printing machine is a versatile piece of equipment, able to process polyethylene, cellophane, laminated film, and paper in rolls. These machines can be fully automated and provide the highest quality prints. Some machines even have finishing features such as slitting and converting equipment. flexo printing machine also allows for the customization of colors. Its capabilities include speed, efficiency, precision, and low-energy consumption. A wide variety of flexo printers is available, including tower extruder and full manufacturing line machines.
Applications of Flexo Printing Machine
The printing machine is an efficient cardboard flexo printing machine that enables the transfer of images at high speed. The process is suitable for packaging applications because it uses fast-drying low-viscosity inks. The machinery can transfer images at speeds of up to 2,000 feet per minute. Flexographic printing machines can print on a variety of materials, including coated and uncoated paper. They can also print on liner and carton board, plastic films, and non-woven fabrics. Some models can also print on aluminum foil. Since flexography is a high-speed process, there is a chance of wastage of materials and ink. The flexographic process is the most widely used process for labelling. It is a close competitor to gravure in the flexible packaging market. It uses hot-air-dried solvent-based inks for printing. However, some companies are now opting for water-based formulations because they offer better environmental properties.
The main features of a flexo printing machine include its printing section, which contains an anilox roller and fountain roller, impression rolls, and a drying station. The drying process involves the use of specially formulated inks and high-velocity heated air. Moreover, the machine features an outfeed and rewind segment that is similar to an unwind segment. It also features a web tension control system. The benefit of a flexographic printing machine is its low cost and ease of maintenance. It can use a variety of inks, including water-based, solvent, and metallic inks. This type of printing machine is ideal for printing on a wide range of materials, including milk cartons, food bags, and self-adhesive labels.
The Cost To Carton Printing Business
If you want to start a corrugated carton flexo printing machine business, there are several things you need to consider. For one, the cost of a new flexo printing machine is very low. A brand-new machine is usually equipped with the latest technology and comes with service and back-up. Second-hand flexo machines may be expensive and have outdated technology. This puts your business at a competitive disadvantage when compared to other businesses. Depending on the printing requirements, the cost of a flexo carton printing machine can vary greatly. You’ll need to consider the number of colors you need to print. You’ll also need dies and cutting plates. These machines are capable of producing 4 or more colors, and can produce high-quality corrugated board. However, they require the use of expensive cutting dies and are not nearly as cost-effective.
A flatbed flexo carton printing machine has more versatility than other types of machines and is capable of printing on various materials and at high speeds. The price range of a flatbed flexo carton printing machine is between US$10,000 and US$50,000. On the other hand, a flexographic carton printing machine uses a flexible printing plate to print and can be easily changed. The price of a flexo carton printing machine will vary depending on the size and material of your cartons. You will need to consider how many cartons you’ll print and whether you’ll print on both sides or in multiple colors. Also, you’ll need to consider the speed at which you’ll print.
Reliability For Flexo Carton Printing Macine
Pinlong flexo carton printing machines have the potential to deliver consistent quality print results. These printing machines work by using an ink-resisting printing medium and a relief image plate. This plate is mounted on a cylinder that rotates and collects ink as it deposits it onto a substrate. Besides, our corrugated carton flexo printing machine is designed with high speed and efficiency. Its high-speed printing capabilities and high-speed feeding capabilities help it achieve a high level of productivity, even for small jobs. Its vacuum suction transfer system helps it achieve fast ink system cleaning and enables rapid changes of order.
If you’re looking to enhance your packaging by printing eye-catching designs on corrugated boxes, you’re definitely on the right track! It’s always a good idea to make your packaging stand out in the boring void of a regular cardboard box, but how do you achieve this with print? It turns out that there are several different options for printing on corrugated boxes. Stay tuned to learn more about each of the different methods and how to choose the right one for you:
1. Flexographic printing
The first option for printing on corrugated boxes is flexographic printing. This type of printing is one of the most common ways to print corrugated boxes due to its versatility and efficiency in turnaround times. But what is flexo printing and how does it work? Basically it’s like using high quality polymer plate on corrugated paper. The plates develop different patterns for each specific color. These plates are then attached to large rotating cylinders and the designs are printed one after the other, creating the complete design. Although it has its uses, this type of printing is not recommended for very intricate designs or photo quality prints, as separate plates must be created for each different color. However, if you have simpler designs (with just a few different colors and lots of materials), this method may work for you, ensuring that these plates are created for flexo printing.
2. Lithography
The second option for printing on corrugated boxes is lithography. This type of printing may also be called offset printing or lithographic lamination. Overall, it follows a similar process to flexographic printing, but with a few key differences. Lithographic printing, like flexo printing, involves breaking down a design into different printing plates – each with a different color than the design. However, flexo printing also involves a special printing plate that essentially pushes the ink away from certain areas that should be left blank. This process ensures that the final product features crisp, clean lines rather than random ink blots transferred from other plates along the way.
In most cases, lithography is done on lithographic labels, not directly on corrugated cardboard. These labels are then glued to the surface of the corrugated paper. In addition to flexographic printing, lithographic printing can also be used on smaller labels. That said, the cost of lithography will be higher. As with flexo printing, you’ll have to pay for the plates you make, so if your designs change or you don’t have high production volumes, this might not be the best option.
3. Digital printing
The third and final option for printing on corrugated boxes is digital printing. When printing on corrugated paper, this option is affordable, efficient, and has something for almost everyone. At the same time, the use of digital printing has real advantages. Unlike flexographic and lithographic methods, digital printing does not require expensive and rigid printing plates. This makes digital printing ideal for short runs or test packaging as it is quick, easy to set up and always maintains a quality look. That said, because it’s so cheap, it’s also worth it for large or long-term projects.
Also, one of the best things about digital printing is that you are not limited in what colors you want to use. Because you don’t rely on expensive plates that can only print one color at a time, digital printing gives you access to almost any color without adding extra time or expense. With digital printing, you can also experiment with designing and customizing your boxes to suit specific customers, which will only help you in the long run. You have a lot of flexibility when it comes to this style of printing and you can really experiment with different styles and designs without worrying about wasting a lot of time or resources.
More importantly, digital printing can really increase the speed at which you can get your products to market, which is critical to success. You don’t have to worry about getting expensive personalized plates or worrying that your design project won’t be perfect – you can just design your packaging. Digital printing will be an interesting area to watch in the years to come. It’s already at least at the same level as lithography, if not better. When it comes to which method businesses should choose based on their printing needs, digital printing is definitely the way to go.
What Is The Corrugated Box Printing method ?
Now that we have understood the different printing processes, it’s time to talk about printing methods. We’ve touched on this a bit, but we’ll break it down separately so you can get the full picture of the process from start to finish. There are two different ways to print on corrugated boxes: direct printing and pre-printing. Direct printing involves printing directly onto the corrugated box itself. As mentioned earlier, this is usually done by flexographic or digital printing rather than lithography. Preprinting involves printing the design on a separate sheet of paper and then attaching that sheet to the corrugated paper, rather than printing directly onto the corrugated paper. It can then be made into cardboard. This option allows you to print in vivid colors, intricate patterns, and multiple colors. When pre-printed, you can print on linerboard, laminate or flat labels.
Flexo Color Guide For Corrugated Printing Inks
When printing flexographic on corrugated boxes, each color requires a different image carrier. Four-color printing requires four image carriers. Remember to consider the cost of color when designing your rooms. Incorporate the cost of purchasing and configuring multiple image media and inks into your packaging budget. If you are printing directly onto corrugated paper, it may be difficult (not impossible) to produce certain effects, such as gradients and tints. When preparing artwork files for direct-to-corrugated flexo printing, the help of a professional designer can help you achieve high-quality results.
When choosing a color for your design, consider the color of the substrate, as the ink will appear darker or lighter on brown or white surfaces. Direct flexo printing on corrugated paper is recommended to keep graphics simple. Using the direct print method, photo-finished images can be difficult to render accurately. The higher the quality and crimp you choose, the better the registration and quality of your prints. If you print on a smooth substrate and then laminate it to the final product (pre-print), you will be able to make more complex designs. When finalizing your design, keep in mind that new graphics require new print image media. To keep costs down, take care with your packaging design before purchasing an image carrier.
