Flexographic Printing

Abstract

In this chapter, the flexographic printing technique is described. This technique is constantly developing and gaining in meaning. Flexographic printing is an example of relief printing that is useful for printing on both absorbent and nonabsorbent bases. It is crucial for the printing of plastic substrates with a wide range of inks: water-based, solvent-based, and ultraviolet-curable. Printing is done by using a flexible plate mounted on a printing cylinder. The kinds of plates and techniques for preparation are described in this chapter. Also, the parameters characterizing the anilox roller and their meaning for print quality are presented. The printing machines used in flexography and printing units are characterized. This chapter also specifies printing inks used in flexography and polymer bases that are commonly printed with this technique and describes the flexographic printing market.