Flexographic Printing Technology Review

Flexo printing has evolved from a very early printing technique called flexographic printing.
It was not until the end of World War I that they emerged.

In the 1930s, the printing needs of cellophane brought the flexographic printing technology to a new era.
Because letterpress printing and letterpress printing are not ideal for printing such transparent, non-adsorptive films. Of course rotary rotogravure printing may be used, but the cost of printing equipment and engraved gravure cylinders has limited this process to mass production.

The tricolor aniline printing press was produced in 1936. In the same year, nitrocellulose (nitrocellulose) with alcohol as the solvent was introduced, which may have an important influence on the packaging and the aniline printing process.


The first satellite rotary rotogravure press was launched in the early 1940s. Shortly after 1945, paper processing companies began to use corona discharge methods to increase the adhesion of ink on polyethylene film. A big step.

In 1952, participants of the 14th Packaging Society Seminar chose "flexographic printing"
Indicates the aniline printing process. This name was quickly accepted by the world and replaced the anilin prin.

From the 1960s to the 1980s, the application of new films (polypropylene, polyester, etc.) required further improvement of the flexographic printing process. New technologies include 6- and 8-color CI printers, ink roller doctors, and doctor blade ink supply systems. Photopolymer plates and ceramic ink rollers.

The most significant changes in printing technology that occurred in the 1970s may have originated from the regulations of environmental protection agencies. These changes will continue to affect the printing industry in the next century.

Ultraviolet-drying flexographic printing inks had a limited range of applications in the 1970s. Today, however, UV-drying inks and water-soluble inks are widely used for narrow web printing.


The improvements made in the flexographic printing process to meet every challenge must have enabled this technology to enter the new century at a rapid pace of development. Modern presses are highly automated and have the ability to continuously print undercoats and cover films.

The improved flexographic printing technology has been pursued because of its low cost and flexibility.