Selecting the right printing method is essential for obtaining the best labels that will meet the market competition. Flexography and offset printing are two commonly used techniques, both of which have their advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will discuss these techniques in detail to assist you in making the right decision regarding which technique is most suitable for your label printing requirements especially when it comes to flexo printing machines.
What is Flexography?
Flexography is also known as flexo and is a high-speed printing technique that can be used on various types of substrates and in numerous industries. Flexo printing machines employ flexible photopolymer printing plates that are mounted on rotating drums to print the ink on the substrate. Flexo is preferred for its versatility, productivity, and compatibility with water-based, solvent-based and UV inks. It is especially useful for runs of labels, packaging, and other printed products that require a large number of impressions.
What is Offset Printing?
Offset printing on the other hand uses aluminum plates which transfer an image on a rubber blanket and then roll the image on a sheet of paper. It is used for printing newspapers, magazines, brochures, books, and labels and is known for its high quality, crisp, and clean images. Offset printing is particularly beneficial in cases where high degree of color accuracy is needed.
Print Quality and Materials
When comparing flexo and offset, one should take into account the quality of the prints and the materials that can be used for the process. Flexo printing machines are also available from the leading flexo printing machine suppliers and have advanced in quality to the extent that they can compete with offset in many ways. But, as always, offset is still better for very detailed and large format projects. On the material aspect, flexo can print on plastic, metallic films and cellophane, which makes it more suitable for different packaging requirements.
Speed and Cost Efficiency
Flexo printing is usually cheaper and quicker for large orders of printing. Flexo machines are fast and can be set up and dismantled quickly, which saves on labor and time. This makes flexo the best solution for label printing machine projects that involve the production of many labels with equal quality. The suppliers of flexo printing machines tend to emphasize on the ease of setting up the equipment and the ability to produce a large number of prints in a short span of time as the main selling points.
Suitability
It is also important to consider the characteristics of the particular job when choosing between flexo and offset. Flexo is suitable for projects that require high repeatability over large quantities and is particularly suitable for packaging applications because of its versatility with various substrates and inks. Offset is more suitable for projects that need the best resolution and color reproduction, for example, corporate brochures with intricate designs or bright magazine covers.
When comparing flexo and offset printing, both methods have their advantages and are more appropriate for certain types of label printing. Consulting with professional flexo printing machine manufacturers can assist you in choosing the most appropriate machine and method for your business, thus improving your efficiency and product quality.