11.18.2009
11.13.2009
Week 12
Flexography
HISTORY
1. Flexo printing was originally developed in the latter half of the 1800s in Britain and, by the early 20th century, the majority of flexo printing machines were German made. In the U.S., the flexo process was originally known as aniline printing.
FLEXO INKS
2. There are three major types of inks used in flexo printing: water-based, solvent-based and UV-curing Inks.
FLEXO PLATES
3. Flexo plates can be made using molds, laser etching (digital platemaking) or photoreactive polymers.
USES
4. Flexo printing is used for a number of purposes including label making, printing on disposable containers, wallpaper prints and even to print newspapers.
POTENTIAL
5. In recent years, color flexo printing has been steadily improving in quality and price. If this trend continues, it may ultimately replace more expensive printing processes.
Flexography Pre Press - Plate making Process:
The photo mechanical plate making method begins with making an engraving. This is accomplished by exposing a metal plate through a negative and processing the exposed plate in an acid bath. The metal engraved plate is used to make a master which is molded out of bakelite board. The engraving is placed in a mold press. The mold is produced by applying heat & pressure to the mold material (bakelite board), which can be either plastic or glass, against the engraving under controlled temperature and pressure. The bakelite board fills the engraving on the metal plate. When its cooled you end up with a master mold for the plastic or rubber compound that will be pressed into the mold under pressure and elevated temperature to produce the flexible printing plate with raised areas that will transfer the ink.
The second method of flexo plate making is relief plates. This utilizes a solid or liquid photopolymer. The sheet of photopolymer is exposed to light through a negative. The unexposed areas are then washed away with solvent or water wash. This is fast becoming the most common method of making plates.
Flexographic printing plates may be made by laser engraving, which is called direct digital platemaking. In this process an image is scanned or computer generated. Then a computer-guided laser etches the image onto the printing plate.
IN-CLASS PROCESS::
1. Using Illustrator, we used guidelines to create a die layout. This allowed our logo/image to set to a confined ratio area to be printed within set for a one color process
2. Our die layout was printed as a Negative which shows each image that was created on the die-layout
3. Using a new plate, we now had to expose it on the Plate Processor. The back side is exposed for 35 seconds in the machine
4. The front is then exposed for 13 minutes with the negative image set on top
5. Plate is removed and placed on top of the machine to wash off the emulsion for about 9 minutes
6. Plate is very rubbery, it is then set to dry in the lower compartment for 20 minutes.
7. The post exposure test is then done which hardens the plate. 4minutes
8. Anti-tacking drying mode is then set for 3 minutes.
HISTORY
1. Flexo printing was originally developed in the latter half of the 1800s in Britain and, by the early 20th century, the majority of flexo printing machines were German made. In the U.S., the flexo process was originally known as aniline printing.
FLEXO INKS
2. There are three major types of inks used in flexo printing: water-based, solvent-based and UV-curing Inks.
FLEXO PLATES
3. Flexo plates can be made using molds, laser etching (digital platemaking) or photoreactive polymers.
USES
4. Flexo printing is used for a number of purposes including label making, printing on disposable containers, wallpaper prints and even to print newspapers.
POTENTIAL
5. In recent years, color flexo printing has been steadily improving in quality and price. If this trend continues, it may ultimately replace more expensive printing processes.
Flexography Pre Press - Plate making Process:
The photo mechanical plate making method begins with making an engraving. This is accomplished by exposing a metal plate through a negative and processing the exposed plate in an acid bath. The metal engraved plate is used to make a master which is molded out of bakelite board. The engraving is placed in a mold press. The mold is produced by applying heat & pressure to the mold material (bakelite board), which can be either plastic or glass, against the engraving under controlled temperature and pressure. The bakelite board fills the engraving on the metal plate. When its cooled you end up with a master mold for the plastic or rubber compound that will be pressed into the mold under pressure and elevated temperature to produce the flexible printing plate with raised areas that will transfer the ink.
The second method of flexo plate making is relief plates. This utilizes a solid or liquid photopolymer. The sheet of photopolymer is exposed to light through a negative. The unexposed areas are then washed away with solvent or water wash. This is fast becoming the most common method of making plates.
Flexographic printing plates may be made by laser engraving, which is called direct digital platemaking. In this process an image is scanned or computer generated. Then a computer-guided laser etches the image onto the printing plate.
IN-CLASS PROCESS::
1. Using Illustrator, we used guidelines to create a die layout. This allowed our logo/image to set to a confined ratio area to be printed within set for a one color process
2. Our die layout was printed as a Negative which shows each image that was created on the die-layout
3. Using a new plate, we now had to expose it on the Plate Processor. The back side is exposed for 35 seconds in the machine
4. The front is then exposed for 13 minutes with the negative image set on top
5. Plate is removed and placed on top of the machine to wash off the emulsion for about 9 minutes
6. Plate is very rubbery, it is then set to dry in the lower compartment for 20 minutes.
7. The post exposure test is then done which hardens the plate. 4minutes
8. Anti-tacking drying mode is then set for 3 minutes.
11.03.2009
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