Some properties of flexographic printing plates and aspects of print quality

• The purpose of this research was to study the effects on print quality when the properties of the flexographic printing plate were changed in a systematic and controlled way. An attempt was made to identify plate parameters that govern good print quality. Coated paperboard was printed in a laboratory printing press using different plates, and print density and dot gain were determined. Essential parameters including mechanical, chemical, and morphological properties of the plate that led to good print quality were identified. The properties of the plates were characterised by means of profilometry, ESCA, contact angle measurements, durometer, and image analysis. The methods used to create printing plates with controlled material properties gave useful information about the ageing and wear of printing plates. The results showed that it was possible to systematically control the properties of the plate by changing the pre-press conditions. Application pressures and dot area influenced print quality. Small-scale roughness and long-scale roughness of the plate governed good print quality with respect to print density and dot gain It appeared that these printing plate properties affect the amount of ink transferred.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Materialteknik -- Pappers-, massa- och fiberteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Materials Engineering -- Paper, Pulp and Fiber Technology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Flexography

Print quality

Printing plate

UV

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)