Discussion on Flexible Plate and Platemaking Process (I)

In order to improve the quality of flexographic printing in our country and promote the development of flexo printing technology, we now briefly analyze the flexographic plate and its platemaking technology for the reference of flexographic technology development.

A solid flexible plate making process

Solid photosensitive resin flexo platemaking process mainly has three kinds. That is, the traditional flexo plate making process, laser engraving rubber plate making process and digital laser engraving resin plate making process. Since the laser-engraved rubber-stamp version is currently far inferior to the resin version in terms of the printing plate's resistance to printing, and its low resolution, this article will not be introduced here.

Second, the traditional photosensitive resin plate making technology

1, plate

The plates used in the traditional flexo platemaking are currently used domestically, mainly in domestically produced GS plates and imported Dupont Celli plates (Gyrel).

(1) Domestic GS version. This is a flexographic plate developed by Shanghai Printing Technology Research Institute. The GS version mainly has the following types.

1) Universal type: Suitable for printing on plastic bags, metal foils, envelopes, paper towels, etc.
2) Carton type: Suitable for corrugated cartons, paper bags, paper boxes and other printing.
3) Fine type: suitable for printing color pictures, labels, trademarks, etc.
4) Thin version: suitable for printing books and newspapers.

Although the domestic GS media still has a gap in performance and resolution compared with imported media, there is still a large market in China, which is mainly used for printing low-grade products.

(2) DuPont Celli Edition (Gyrel). This is a plate developed by DuPont in the 1970s. Because of its excellent performance and high printing resolution, it has been widely used in the world and has a market share of 70-80% in the world.

According to the needs of the market, according to the classification of the thickness and hardness of this plate, there are mainly the following types.

1) Double-layered version:
·EXL type Thickness:1.14-3.18mm.
Hardness: low hardness type.
Scope of application: narrow width flexo presses, wide flexo presses are available.
·PQS thickness: 1.70-2.84mm.
Hardness: Medium hardness (51-54 Shore).
Scope of application: wide-format plastic film printing, narrow-width machine box printing.
·PLS type Thickness: 1.70-3.18mm.
Hardness: Low hardness (45-56 Shore).
Scope of application: Wide-format, narrow-width plastic film printing.
·PLB type Thickness: 1.14mm.
Hardness: High hardness.
Scope of application: high quality printing.

2) Single layer version:

·UXL thickness:1.70-2.84mm
Hardness: Low hardness (47-57 Shore).
Scope of application: Wide application of narrow width machine and wide width machine.
· HOS type Thickness: 1.70-2.84mm.
Hardness: High hardness (58-63 Shore).
Scope of application: flexible packaging, label printing.
· HOF type Thickness: 1.70-2.84mm.
Hardness: Low hardness (45 Shore).
Applications: Narrow-width machine label printing, wide-width machine flexible packaging printing.
·TDR type (thick)
Thickness: 3.18-7.00mm.
Hardness: Low hardness (33-35 Shore).
Applications: Corrugated paper printing and subtle printing of subtle patterns.
·CPB type (thin version)
Thickness: 0.76mm.
Hardness: High hardness Application: Dot printing.

3) CLP version:

Coated special plate.

(to be continued)