Flexicon claims to have developed a hybrid process that enables flexo printing results "as good as gravure printing".
Bernd Sanning, head of Flexicon's Service & Innovation department, describes the new HighQuality hybrid process thus: "Before colour separation, and depending on the technical circumstances of the printer, the decision is made whether a round or flat dot shape must be used, or both. An advantage of the hybrid process is its different dot geometries, making rich full-surface printing just as possible as sharp lights, that is, finely shaded areas of the motif."
He continues: "Thus this new process not only makes the print motifs on brand-name goods glow, but also the eyes of flexographic printing specialists. Less plate vibration enables higher printing speeds. Even the deepest black can be printed in one process; and the significantly higher ink transfer with lower pigment content reduces ink costs."
