Everyone needs the most cost-effective packaging without compromising the quality of the pack. It is very hard to source the best features, format finish, and materials.
Today we will explain the most common printing technologies used for packaging, flexographic printing vs rotogravure printing. And understand what is the difference between them?
What is Flexographic Printing?
Flexographic printing uses a polymer or elastomer image carrier of a sleeve, cylinder, or plate. This image carrier is engraved for creating a raised design of the final print. Here the ink is transferred by an anilox roller onto the image carrier and then it is printed on a substrate. Flexographic printing, generally used for plastic and non-porous materials.
What is Roto Gravure Printing?
Rotogravure printing is an intaglio printing process that has rotary printing that prints continuous tone images. It applies ink to a substrate with a metal plate which mounts on a cylinder. The plate is made from chrome or copper. The print engraves on the roller by laser and provides precise and high quality frequently.
Before knowing the difference between these printing methods, first, understand what similarities they have?
- Both techniques have printing sleeves, cylinders, and plates.
- Currently, both use for long-run high-volume printing jobs. The flexographic can be cost-effective for short runs.
What are the differences between Flexographic and Rotogravure Printing?
Production Speed
Flexographic printing has a much higher speed than rotogravure. The gravure is only high speed and volume print process. It is capable of printing continuous tone images. The gravure has a higher press run and cylinders do not require frequent changing like the flexo printing process.
Substrates
The rotogravure printing is suitable for porous substrates. This makes it perfect for applications that required more detailing printing like magazine covers.
While flexographic printing can print on both porous and non-porous substrates. It is versatile and can print from film to paperboard. Flexographic printing is widely use in packaging printing.
Inks
Another difference is different inks. The flexographic is capable to use various inks whereas rotogravure is compatible with a limited number of inks. Most of the time, the flexo printing ink is used because of its ease of printing with a variety of inks. Also, the rotogravure requires more ink per print which increases the cost of the printing.
Effect on Environment
The rotogravure printing uses solvent-based inks. The flexo is considering as greener as they are the solution to VOC or Volatile Organic Compound and eco-friendly.
Quality
Before flexographic, the rotogravure is best for detailing and tone images. After introducing flexo, provide more details which one only possible with rotogravure.
What is the best for your Packaging?
It is difficult to understand the difference between flexographic and rotogravure. If you have a sample of identical artwork, you won’t differentiate the difference.
But at the end, which is right for you? Well, it highly relies on a substrate, job, and various factors of the job of printing.
