If you’re looking for a cost-effective and versatile printing option, then flexography might be the answer. Flexo is a modern way of transferring images from print plates to paper or plastic substrates. It can produce various graphics, including high-resolution color photographs and precise barcodes – the possibilities are only limited by your imagination!
With many benefits over traditional printing forms such as offset lithography, inkjet printing, and screen printing, flexographic printing is becoming increasingly popular with businesses that want to reduce costs without sacrificing quality. That said, let’s discuss what flexographic printing is, how it works, and why you should consider using it for your projects.
Introduction to Flexographic Printing
Flexographic printing is a high-speed printing method that’s ideal for large-volume projects. It’s compatible with many substrates, such as porous and non-porous materials, plastics, paper, etc. It can also accommodate various inks and decorative elements, allowing for more intricate and complex designs for custom applications. Therefore, it’s suitable for numerous products, parts, and components, such as electronic devices.
The most common applications of flexographic printing in electronic devices:
- Graphic overlays
- Printed circuit boards
- Keyboards
- Membrane switches
- Barcodes and markings
How Does the Flexographic Printing Process Work?
Flexographic printing begins with unwinding the substrate roll while passing through different printing stations. Meanwhile, the anilox roller etched with shallow wells is dipped into the ink fountain. Afterward, it’s wiped using a doctor’s blade to leave an even, consistent layer of ink.
The ink from the anilox roller is applied to the plated images, and the substrate is pressed into the plate to transfer the image onto its surface. Once done, UV lamps or IR dryers dry the ink before moving to the subsequent process.
Since most inks in flexographic printing processes have low viscosity, they tend to dry quickly. It prevents smearing or blurring of the image during the entire process. Therefore, accomplishing quality printing becomes easier due to its simplified workflow.
Benefits of Flexographic Printing
Flexography offers innumerable benefits that can undoubtedly drive success to your projects. It’s one of the most innovative printing techniques today, so industries rely on flexography because it adheres to their stringent quality requirements. Regardless of the project’s complexity, flexo delivers outstanding results over other methods. However, it will also highly depend on the nature of your project.
Some notable benefits of flexographic printing include:
- Minimal waste
- Minimize returns
- Accurate and consistent print registration each time
- Lower production costs
- Quick turnaround time
- More excellent durability and resistance to wear and tear
Finding the proper printing method means understanding the full scope of your project. For electronic devices, such as PCBs and membrane switches, flexographic printing offers a wide range of advantages, making it the ideal choice for producing high-quality and durable outcomes.
Choose Dependable and Quality Flexographic Printing Services
At Techprint, we specialize in flexographic printing for the electronics industry. Led by years of experience and expertise, we utilize cutting-edge machines and advanced technologies to achieve upstanding results.
Contact us today to learn more about our flexographic printing services and how we can help bring your electronic devices to life. Request a quote, and we can provide a solution tailored to your unique project needs!