Examples of Flexographic Packaging. The flexographic printing process uses quick-drying, semiliquid inks. Flexographic printing. In this age of digital printing, flexography holds its own in the areas of large orders and long print runs, particularly of packaging products and labeling. Instead of directly applying color to shipping boxes via stamping, litho printing is a two-step process that consists of applying ink to a printing plate before transferring it to a rubber blanket. Michael is really easy to work with and made sure all our requirements were met for this job. So we are often asked, “What is the difference between Flexo Printing and Digital Printing?”. We work with you to “Make Your Mark” by providing the expertise and tools necessary to create an entire product label printing solution. Digital Printing presses deposit toner or "electro inks" onto the material (substrate). These advancements are delivering print quality that mimics offset. Flexographic Printing is a method of printing that uses flexible printing plates made of rubber or plastic. Both digital printing and flexographic printing have definite benefits and certain drawbacks. What about the disadvantages? Digital printing vs. flexo printing. Unlike the other printing methods, digital printing does not require the creation of printing plates because a digital press uses electronic files to print images. Digital printing & flexo printing. Introduction. 1271 Avenue of the Americas | Suite 4300 | New York, NY 10020. Large-scale digital printing processes create images by depositing toner directly onto on a surface, while flexographic presses use rubber or plastic plates to press ink onto a substrate. I really like working with Nova so far. Please give us a call at  (888) 972 – 5234 or email us at info@PaladinID.com. There is now a new kid on the block Digital Label printing. At Watershed we use the latest presses that combine digital and flexo. May have a limited color palette; So, there you have it. Once the machine starts running, the printing process is very quick. Digital printing, on the other hand, offers full CMYK color, speed, and the ability to achieve very small (as small as one item) print runs. The traditional “flexo vs. digital printing” conversation relies on run size and cost as the deciding factors, and goes something like this: Flexographic printing requires more setup time, and each change in graphics (e.g., flavor variations, varietals, etc.) To shed some light on this issue, we decided to put these two technologies against each other. PaladinID, LLC Digital is unique when compared to Flexo or Litho as it’s not designed for mass production or long print runs. The HP Indigo WS6800 is our top-of-the-line digital label printing press. Flexographic labels print much quicker so at some point, the speed efficiencies outweigh the set up costs. Flexographic Printing vs. Because we are not dealing with the plates and the complicated printing equipment of the flexo process, setup is much quicker and it is far easier to change and update label designs. Given the pros and cons of different printing processes, it is up to you to decide which printing method is most suitable and which is going to give you the best results for the price. About PaladinID, LLC Related: Need New Labels? Flexographic vs. Digital Printing. We hope to answer these questions below and clarify the difference for each. The printing process used to create your labels plays a strong role in determining the flexibility, cost, and quality of the custom labels you receive. Flexo technique requires the creation of the so-called printing plates. The high print quality and low cost of flexo printing, and the flexibility and rapid change-over times of digital printing. There isn’t a clear-cut answer to this question. Flexographic Printing vs. Digital Printing 1. The flexographic plate (attached to the plate cylinder) picks up the ink and transfers it directly to the substrate. Although our flexographic presses often take more time to set up in comparison to digital label printing, the advantage is once it is set up, the output is incomparable. We will be communicative with you every step of the way. The ink comes directly from a print […] Digital printing includes small-run jobs from desktop publishing to other digital sources that are printed using large-format and/or high-volume laser or inkjet printers. 3. What Is Digital Printing? Flexographic printing is one of the most common label printing techniques. Digital printing is superior for its fast turnarounds and its flexibility. Digital printers are capable of producing higher-resolution images and provide your job with a tremendous amount of flexibility. At times, shadows and gradations can also have drop-off issues. The images are printed directly onto the substrate with toner. Newsletter . While some printing jobs are best suited for a flexographic printer, there are variables that can cause digital to be the most appropriate option. At LabelValue, we use the latest digital printing technology. That's why DLS is pleased to offer both digital and flexo options. Flexo Printing – Pros and Cons. Flexographic Printing. Digital offers some great benefits: High-quality images; Low setup costs; Data variability from print to print; That last point is key. Flexographic printing, or flexo, is a relief printing technique similar to letterpress that employs rubber or soft plastic plates, a simple inking system and fast drying inks. Production runs for blister lid foil printing are becoming ever shorter. Warehouse real estate is typically limited, highly valuable, and not to mention costly. Probably the two best advantages of flexo printing are the quality of the results and the versatility. In fact, “versus” is the wrong word to use when comparing digital and flexographic label printing; neither technology is inherently better or worse than the other. It is one of the primary methods of printing custom Boxes. Thank you so much! But because flexo presses have superior throughput … The decision between flexographic vs digital printing is a highly personal choice and one that depends heavily on a variety of factors. Offset Printing In the past the common choice for label and sticker printing was flexographic or flexo printing technology. Conventional Flexographic Labels: Flexographic printing is a method that uses flexible printing plates made of rubber or plastic. Flexographic Label Printing vs. Digital Labels. DoD UV inkjet printing is more efficient for small batches than flexographic printing. 2. Four colors are typically available (CMYK), but it can accommodate additional print stations with other colors. Our in-house art department modifies the provided files to the required specs and sends it directly to the printing press. This type of printing is mostly used for non-porous materials like food service paper, plastic, foil, brown paper, and packaging materials. That’s ok. PaladinID is here to help you figure out the best printing solutions for your needs. You’ve also got digital printing, where printing plates aren’t necessary. 1-Digital printing . When going with the right provider, the quality is so good that it is actually very hard to tell the difference between digital and flexo printing. A product’s packaging attracts the consumer’s attention to the brand, enhances its image, and influences the consumer’s perception. With digital capabilities expanding and flexo quality continually improving, it can be difficult deciding which of these two methods is better suited for your labels. Hence, customers can look at digital printing for its speed and versatility. Flexographic vs. Digital Printing You’ve also got digital printing, where printing plates aren’t necessary. Ideal for smaller runs By eliminating the additional conventional flexo set up expenses there is a lower the cost of production for the shorter runs. Here are a few key differences between flexopress printing vs digital inkjet printing. Flexographic vs. Digital Label Printing – Which is Best for Your Labels? If you’re short on time, flexo printing may not be your best option. Rather, digital printing presses can directly print the image onto the substrate. We need to know these 5 things, Do I Need Thermal Transfer or Color Inkjet for My Label Printing? By Colin Roux. The Differences Between Flexographic & On-Demand Printing. In the label printing sector, most businesses prefer flexographic printing because of its adaptability and economy of scale. Flexo vs. digital printing: Which technology is better for your brand’s labels? The crossover – the point where it makes more sense to print on flexographic printing vs. digital printing – varies according to the label size & set up. Drawbacks of Flexo Printing. In Uncategorized. It can be used for printing on almost any type of substrate, including plastic, metallic films, cellophane, shrink film, tag stock, and paper. Flexographic printing, also known as Offset printing, is a method of printing that uses flexible printing plates made of rubber or plastic. Introduction. Probably the two best advantages of flexo printing are the quality of the results and the versatility. Digital printing might be a better option if dealing with a very intricate design with lots of different colors. Digital vs Flexographic Printing . Flexography is the printing method that belongs to the Letterpress techniques. Every product on store shelves relies on label printers to help convey branding messages to the target customer. Label printing is a dynamic industry that links product manufactures with consumers through communication with words, images, and ideas to consumers using primary product labels. It can’t produce complicated and extensive artwork like other digital printing techniques. The surface of the plate is coated with fast-drying ink. When shorter runs with more variable data and skews are needed, then digital label printing is utilized. We need to know these 5 things. Datamax-O’Neil Partner Of The Year, Printer Supplies – Read the Full Story! However, you avoid the cost of all the technical steps required to make printing plates. Ask Us About… Our Lifetime Printhead Warranty! Many companies use both flexographic and digital label printing to complement each other. Image Courtesy: jaymar.co.uk. Digital printing is capable of … If your digital label printing machinery is of lower quality, it can result in inferior color quality and image clarity when compared to flexographic printing. Posted Nov 30, 2015. In the past the common choice for label and sticker printing was flexographic or flexo printing technology. Flexographic printing can also produce special effects such as: Credit: ECTran71 [CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]. Our team can help you decide which printing technique is best-suited to your product and vision. Learn how to save time and thousands of dollars in printing costs. In this process, ink is applied to a relief plate cylinder, which then prints the relief design onto the label material. Cons of Digital Printing. Flexographic Label Printing vs Digital Label Printing. Email: info@PaladinID.com to can to find the difference between we need to answer this question Digital printing & flexo printing you need to define?What is the Digital printing & flexo printing . Packaging Warehousing: Flexo vs. Digital Print. PaladinID develops and supports high-performance bar code labeling applications. Flexo uses flexible plates mounted on a cylinder. This makes digital printing an inherently flexible process, yielding a number of advantages including: Call today for FAST price quotes: 800-495-1306. Here is a short explanation of the two technologies available from us: When a company has a larger run with fewer skews, flexographic label printing gets the job done. There aren’t as many choices with regards to what materials to print on, but stay tuned; this is improving quickly. So, there you have it. If you anticipate a lot of changes to your printing and have variable data, this might not be the best option. First, how flexographic & digital printing work. Flexographic vs. Digital Label Printing 3807 Views. While there are several types of printing methods, lithography (offset printing), flexography, and digital printing are considered the 3 core techniques. Instead of using metal plates to transfer an image, digital printing presses print the image directly onto the media substrate.Digital production print technology is evolving quickly, and digital printing output quality is improving continuously. It all depends on what materials you’re printing on and your company’s goals. It is also a great option for printing large areas of solid color. Flexographic printing is a suitable choice for many packaging and labeling applications, as it ensures high-quality prints at an affordable cost. Contact us by calling 920-685-4000 or by emailing team@derksenco.com. Digital printing is a mainstay for smaller printing jobs, but also be aware that this form of printing might not be the best option. This is the ideal method for printing metallic labels or pantone colors, where needing a specific color match. Ink does not permeate the substrate, but instead, it forms a thin layer on the surface using a heat process. Other techniques include screen printing, rotogravure, etc. An overview of  Flexographic Printing vs. Digital Printing. A major reason for this is that digital printing devices do not rely on printing plates to transfer images onto a given media substrate. Digital printing is better for small runs, for photographic precision, and for variable data needs. Flexographic Printing is a method of printing that uses flexible printing plates made of rubber or plastic. We are often asked by our clients how we choose the right printing platform for their custom label job. Subscribe to the Derksen Co. Flexography provides images with rich colors and amazing detail but is an expensive and time-consuming task. The … Contact us by calling 920-685-4000 or by emailing team@derksenco.com. In Uncategorized. Lithography is used for anything that needs vibrant colours and is … Instead, ink is attracted to the substrate in the appropriate design using negative and positive charges. Flexographic & digital printing admin 2020-04-13T20:20:28+02:00 Alternative offers you two printing methods for your labels! Digital Label Printing Often times we get asked by customers what is the difference between custom digital label printing vs Flexographic label printing. Approached Nova with a rush job for our respirators and they delivered. Unlike flexographic printing, digital printing does not need to use plates. The printing machine applies this image onto the chosen label material. Subscribe to the Derksen Co. Both are narrow web printing. Digital Inkjet vs. Flexo Label Printing Screen printing and its versatility support the leading conventional print technologies with regard to pre-printed white, brilliant or vivid colors, varnish and high or low tactile for creating the major part of the image. What is Flexographic Printing? Color isn’t absorbed into the material like it is with offset printing. There is now a new kid on the block Digital Label printing. In addition, the usage of printing plates are time-consuming to output and … Flexographic printing is a low-cost printing method, and it has progressed much in the last few years. Flexo printing is a common option for subscription box businesses to choose, especially when ordering in large volumes. Excellent registration allows the digital printing equipment to hold detail down to 6pt text. Digital printing tends to be superior to the old-school, analog printing processes. Ink starts in a fountain and is picked up by the fountain roller. For all you techy geeks like me that get excited about this stuff keep reading below. Conversely, on-demand printing involves the separate printing of customized individual pieces. If you need fixed and uniform patterns, images, or text on products in a large scale production run, flexographic printing is an excellent production option. Flexographic printing, or flexo, is similar to surface printing except the print cylinders employed are made of flexible materials, usually rubber. This printing method is dated back to the end of 19th century. Avoid the top ten mistakes people make when choosing a Printing Company. Do you need Flexographic or Digital printing? Digital printing involves printing an electronic image directly onto a substrate using an inkjet or laser solution. As a customer, you will want to know about the particular printing technology used to create your labels. If printed areas are cut or folded, it can leave cracks in the ink. 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