We understand that to meet the demand to maximise efficiency and deliver the premium print your customers expect is a constant challenge.
Implementing the appropriate care and maintenance of your flexographic print system, will enable you to mitigate print issues, including colour variation providing increased productivity for your site.
Colour variation in flexographic printing can be caused by many factors, which include:
- Viscosity control
- Insufficient ink in chamber / ink pump set up.
- Incorrect ink chamber set up.
- Incorrect doctor blade application
- Anilox roller wear
- Anilox roller contamination
It is important that inks are monitored, and viscosity standards are set to suit the products being printed and print quality required.
Furthermore, setting the doctor blades to the ‘kiss contact’ principle will ensure the doctor blades perform correctly and deliver a precise, metered amount of ink to the printing plate.
It is essential that the doctor blades are fitted correctly and run at the correct pressure to avoid accelerated wear due to the blade deforming. The consequent of doctor blades put under excessive pressure, is blade distortion. This increases the likelihood of ink leaks, anilox scoring and inconsistent print quality.
Colour variation is evident between these boxes.
Inconsistent anilox roll maintenance will result in anilox cell contamination and as a consequence deterioration in print and colour variation will be seen. Ensuring your print process includes the correct and adequate care procedures for your anilox rollers, is essential.
Single reference print runs can effect colour variation
When visiting site we often see single colour reference print runs. This type of run requires a small portion of the anilox roller to be used over a long period of time. Due to the ink transfer only taking place in an acute area of the anilox roller, anilox cell contamination forms in the non-printed area where no ink transfer takes place.
It is important on long length, single colour print runs to allow the print unit rest bite to avoid anilox cell contamination.
We recommend washing down the print unit using a cleaning solution that has been specifically formulated for use on anilox rollers, such as AQUASOL, after 6 hours of continuous print production.
With various elements to monitor and consider to reduce and avoid the issue of colour variation, Print Tech Solutions are here to help you. We will support you maintain consistent high-quality print and provide training and technical support.
If you need help with your anilox roller and flexographic print care and maintenance, Contact our team now.
T: 0161 366 6286 | E: sales@print-techsolutions.co.uk | Contact Us
