Original scientific paper

The influence of variable parameters of flexographic printing on dot geometry of pre-printed printing substrate

Dean Valdec orcid.org/0000-0001-6897-8601 ; Polytechnic of Varaždin, J. Križanića 33, 42000 Varaždin, Croatia
Igor Zjakić orcid.org/0000-0002-1748-3550 ; Faculty of Graphic Art, University of Zagreb, Getaldićeva 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Marin Milković ; Polytechnic of Varaždin, J. Križanića 33, 42000 Varaždin, Croatia

Abstract

Flexography is widely used in the packaging industry because of its ability of print on various printing substrates and because of the use of digital platemaking technologies. However, there are some limits in the reproduction of smooth gradients which create the effect of sudden transition tones in the highlight area. Therefore, this research compares the parameters of print quality influenced by the dot geometry focusing on top dots shape, line rulings and printing pressures. The objective was to study how the various platemaking processes affect the dot geometry on the basis of influence of the most important variable parameters of flexographic printing. A test image was created and then printed with cyan UV ink on aluminium foil on the pre-printed opaque white ink. Based on the obtained research results, the guidelines and print conditions will be given about how to apply the studied influential parameters for better tone reproduction on aluminium foil that will result in a positive impact on the environmental sustainability of flexographic printing.

Keywords

dot geometry; flexographic printing; print quality; top dots shape

Hrčak ID:

106698

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/106698

Publication date:

21.8.2013.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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