Flexographic printing: What is it, and why is it important for packaging?

Branding is a huge part of any business, and making sure it stands out for all the right reasons should be a top priority. That’s why it’s important to carefully consider the printing technique you’re using.

Several printing techniques can be utilised in the manufacturing process for your business’s packaging, from lithography and digital printing to rotogravure and flexography. Here, we’ll be exploring the ins and outs of flexographic printing, how it works, and its major benefits.

Also known as flexo printing, flexographic printing is a rotary printing technique used to make the printing process more efficient on materials like plastic, cardboard and metallic films. Evolving from the older technique of letterpress printing, flexography means businesses can print quickly and continuously across their product packaging.

The process of flexographic printing is relatively simple. To begin with, a flexible rubber or photopolymer plate with the intended design is created. These plates are then mounted onto the printing press cylinders, covered with ink and transferred onto the printing substrate, which should be your packaging material. UV or heat are applied to dry and cure the printing quickly, and any final touches (such as varnishing or laminating) can be applied at this stage.

With so many printing options available, you might be wondering how flexographic printing could improve your printing processes. Flexo printing comes with many benefits and is a popular choice for businesses.

Here are some of the pros worth considering:

High quality printing

HD flexographic printing delivers higher quality results, including brighter colours, smoother gradients and sharp finishes without the need for special coatings. This means that your packaging has a greater impact on consumer shelving, helping you stand out from competitors at a lower cost.

Flexographic printing is versatile

This type of printing can be transferred across a range of materials, such as paper, foil, plastic film, recycled materials and various textiles. Because of its versatility, it can also be applied to several industries, including labelling, packaging and textiles. So, regardless of what your packaging is made from, the industry your business is in, and how many units of products you’re producing, flexographic printing is a beneficial option.

Suitable for long print runs and longer materials

The process involves rotary print heads, which allow you to print continuous complex patterns and longer materials in just one print run, rather than needing to separate them into several runs. Not only does this save time, but it also simplifies the printing process compared to other techniques.

Fast production

When businesses need a fast turnaround on their product packaging, the quick nature of flexographic printing can be ideal. Not only does the machinery transfer your designs onto packaging material at high speeds, but fast-drying, low-viscosity ink is often used, which means less waiting around at the end of the process.

Once the printing process is completed, the packaged products can be moved on to the next stage of your manufacturing process, whether that’s further treating the packaging material or getting it ready to be shipped out of your warehouse.

Durable and easy to maintain

Modern flexo presses have short set-up and changeover times. So, with regular servicing, you can benefit from a long production lifespan, impressive ROI and easy-to-manage maintenance. This, alongside only requiring a one-off cost for creating the printing plates, means that repeat printing over time involves lower overheads than other printing techniques.

The finish of flexography is also highly durable, providing your finished packaging with solid, reliable ink coverage and long-lasting graphics.

Here at Tyler Packaging, we can offer flexographic printing depending on the requirements of your artwork, MOQ and packing formats. We’re able to print up to 10 different colours in HD flexography, making this an ideal option for various packaging types, including conventional and recyclable.

Whether you’re in the pet food industry or the building & chemical sector, we’ve got years of expertise in our team to help your business create the perfect packaging that helps you stand out from the crowd.

To find out more about our packaging and printing options or to enquire about how we can help your business, get in touch, call on 01926 651451 or email info@tylerpackaging.co.uk.