Key Considerations for Flexographic Printing Plates
As quality demands continue to grow, flexographic printing plates can make the difference between happy customers and rejected prints. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a newcomer to the printing industry, choosing the right flexo printing plates is crucial for achieving optimal results. In this blog, we’ll explore the key considerations when purchasing flexo printing plates to ensure that your printing projects meet the highest standards.
Substrate Compatibility
A top consideration when selecting plates is substrate compatibility. Different substrates, such as paper, plastic, or corrugated materials, require specific plate materials, durometers, and other characteristics to achieve the best print quality. Understanding the nature of your printing substrate is essential to choosing the right plates that achieve vibrant and durable prints.
Image Resolution and Clarity
The quality of the final print depends significantly on the resolution and clarity of the image on the flexographic printing plate. High-quality plates with fine details and sharp images result in crisp prints. Ensure your plate maker uses advanced imaging technology, whether analog or digital, and evaluate the plate’s capability to reproduce intricate designs and text accurately.
Flexographic Printing Plates Durability
Durability is a critical factor, especially if you have high-volume orders. Look for flexographic printing plates that offer excellent resistance to wear and tear, abrasion, and cleaning solvents. Durable plates not only provide consistent print quality but also provide a longer plate life, maximizing your ROI and reducing plate replacements and downtime.
Ease of Handling and Mounting
Your plate handling and mounting processes can easily contribute to the efficiency, or inefficiency, of your print operations. Consider plates that are easy to handle during setup and mounting, as this can save valuable production time. Additionally, plates with visual registration features can help your team mount with precise and consistent results.
Lead Times
If your plates are not made on time, they can hault the entire order prompting some last-minute production schedule changes and a big headache for management and their crew. That’s why it’s imperative to choose a plate provider with great service and fast lead times. Trinity Graphic can create and ship most flexographic printing plates within 1-2 business days. Contact our team to learn more.
Cost-Effectiveness
While quality is paramount, it’s equally important to consider the cost-effectiveness of your printing plates. Evaluate the overall cost of plate production, including initial plate costs, cleaning and maintenance, and the number of impressions a plate can produce. A balanced approach that considers both quality and cost will help you achieve the best return on investment.
Choose Trinity Graphic: Your Flexographic Printing Plates Partner
In the dynamic world of flexographic printing, your choice of flexographic printing plates significantly influences the success of your printing projects. For over 40 years, Trinity Graphic has served flexo printers with quality pre-press services including platemaking, design assistance, and process consulting. We are your trusted source for fast, reliable flexo plates delivered on time and on budget. Contact our team to get started with the platemaking experts at Trinity Graphic!
