Printing substrate as a quality parameter in flexography

Abstract

The research described in this paper studies the reproduction quality of imprints on different types of printing substrates used in flexography. Flexography is a printing technique which uses a flexible photopolymer plate with relief printing elements and is suitable for printing on different types of printing substrates, such as coated and uncoated paper, and non-porous substrates like metalized foils and polyester films. Flexography is constantly increasing its capabilities and quality, and is used primary for packaging printing, but in the other areas of graphic production too, such as printed electronics. In this paper, by using methods for surface coverage measurements and analysis of the microscopic images, the reproductions of the same printing plate on uncoated paper, coated paper and polyester film was analysed. Results indicated a decrease in the reproduction quality of highlights and fine elements on uncoated paper, coated paper and polyester film. The quality of the imprints has been decreased in the shadows too, primary on uncoated paper and film.