fleksografisk

Fleksografisk, or flexographic printing, is a form of relief printing that uses flexible, raised image areas on a plate to transfer ink onto a wide range of substrates. The plates are typically made from photopolymer or rubber and are mounted on rotating cylinders in a high-speed press. Inking is controlled by a system that often includes an anilox roller and a doctor blade to meter ink, allowing the raised image to transfer to the substrate as it passes through the press. The method is well suited to continuous rolls and is widely used for packaging and labeling.

Historically, flexography evolved from early rubber-stamp and letterpress techniques and matured in the mid-20th century with the introduction of flexible relief plates and improved inks. The development of photopolymer plates and high-speed presses accelerated its adoption for packaging, labeling, and other wide-format applications, making it one of the dominant printing processes for consumer goods packaging.

Process and materials involve preparing a plate with the intended image, mounting it on a plate cylinder, and using inks that can be water-based, solvent-based, or UV-curable. Inks are chosen based on substrate compatibility, drying requirements, and environmental considerations. The method supports a broad range of substrates, including paper, cardboard, plastic films, foils, and laminated materials, even on corrugated or uneven surfaces.

Advantages of fleksografisk printing include high speed, versatility with various substrates, and relatively low cost for long runs. It is also conducive to environmental options, particularly with water-based inks. Limitations can include lower native print resolution compared to offset or gravure and higher plate/setup costs, though modern digital plates have narrowed these gaps.