Packaging
Flint Group presents a quality evolution in flexographic printing
Wednesday 26. April 2017 - Pet food flexible packaging print samples, produced by Flint Group in cooperation with Soma engineering and Marvaco Oy, highlight an evolution in quality for flexo printing.
Flint Group is pleased to present the latest print samples, Petfood, demonstrating several ground-breaking technologies to its customers. The samples were produced as a result of the technical cooperation and successful partnership between Flint Group, Soma engineering, and Marvaco Oy.
The print job was done with only six process colours – Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Green and Violet in the Flint Group supplied FlexiPrint MV, next generation NC-based ink system for high performance surface print and lamination work. The ink series offers maximised colour strength and specific shades to support highest quality and fixed pallet multi-colour process work (high definition flexo). FlexiPrint MV is specifically modified for high-speed printing and enhanced press stability throughout the entire job to support maximised Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE).
nyloflex ACE Digital was the plate of choice for the cooperation partners due to its outstanding performance in combination with new technologies, providing excellent reproduction of flat top dots and surface screenings. The plates are specialised for printing of flexible packaging. Their high solvent resistance makes them perfect for use with solvent-based inks. Extremely durable for long print runs, the plates also offer advanced cleaning behaviour, leading to fewer press stops.
Flint Groups rotec Bluelight Sleeves are light and robust, setting the benchmark in conventional plate mounting. Available in wall thicknesses from 0.9mm to 125mm, the sleeves are renowned for their superior service life and outstanding durability. XXL dimensions for wide web presses are also available. rotec Bluelight Sleeves stand out thanks to their consistent and long-lasting mounting and clamping characteristics.
The job was printed on a Soma Optima2, a wide web CI flexographic press recently launched at drupa. The press offers five unique solutions: Zero Meter set-up waste, Advanced Bounce Control, investment flexibility, online press supervision, and unexpected ink savings.
The design and prepress work was produced by Marvaco Oy and included the Marvaco EGP (Expanded Gamut Printing) Evolution technology, allowing the production of PMS shades without using any spot inks (fixed palette from four to seven process colours). Product images with ultra-high line screen density (100 lpcm, 254 lpi) and high densities (+20%) were achieved thanks to flat top dot technology and Marvacos micro surface structure on the plate. The print samples demonstrate photograph sharp images with very small, round dots and large gamut, where strong solids are combined in the same colour with limitless fade-outs to 0%.