A stable production process results in reproducible quality
Keep the costs in line while improving productivity and efficiency.
With the ever growing competition and increasing demands from brands for brand consistency (consistent colour and quality), every flexo printer today wants complete control over their production process. A stable and consistent process not only allows the flexo printer to print reproducible results, but also helps him keep the costs in line while improving productivity and efficiency in the press. But this is not always easy as it is difficult to find a balance between different focal points.
More often than not, compromises have to be made which results in undesirable output or unscheduled downtime.However, there are solutions that focus on providing a complete package to create that balance. One such solution for flexo plates is the Toyobo Cosmolight water washable flexo plate. Toyobo Cosmolight helps the flexo printer in stabilizing the production process, while also bringing additional benefits to the table
Water processing
Toyobo Cosmolight water washable flexo plates, processed in water with only a small amount of mild detergent, does not absorb water. Therefore, Toyobo Cosmolight does not swell like solvent based plates do. This keeps the plates stable throughout the entire plate making process by providing consistent plate thickness and as a result consistent and reproducible print quality. And it also ensures numerous savings such as time and energy savings.
Optimal ink transfer
The LAM Layer laminated to the photopolymer is a soluble film that prevents oxygen from influencing the printing dots negatively. This allows for further process stability and controlled print results. Besides the unique chemical composition of the Toyobo water washable flexo plate creates optimum surface energy allowing phenomenal ink transfer. This allows optimal ink laydown at minimal printing pressure, enabling a near 1:1 reproduction. And the wide exposure latitude of the Cosmolight plates, enables the printer to print crisp dots as well as negatives and solids on the same plate.
Predictable outcome
Embracing such process stable technologies and developments are absolutely beneficial to printers and brand owners alike. Being able to achieve consistent and stable results means that colour and quality can be reproduced, output can be predicted, and unscheduled downtime can be avoided. A stable and reproducible quality is the cornerstone of a stable production.