Printing & Converting Research Center
Introduction to the Flexographic Process (Outline)
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Day 1 - Begin 9:00am
The Flexographic Printing Industry
  • How ink gets applied to substrate with all printing process
  • Flexo market segments and products produced
  • Flexo pro's and con's
Designing for Flexography
  • Begin 1-color flexo job
  • Getting the most for your money!
  • Beginning with the end in mind
  • Process limitations
Prepress for Flexography
  • Repeat lengths, distortion, BCD, Minimum dots, dot gain, trapping
  • Step-and-repeat 1-color job
Day 2 - Begin 8:30am
Proofing for Flexo
  • Proof Technology Options
  • The purpose and uses of proofs
  • How to evaluate color accuracy of proofs
  • Make proofs of 1-color jobs
Plate and Plate-making Options and Specifications
  • Plate technology and characteristics
  • Plate processing options
  • Plate mounting: Stickyback and sleeves
  • Make conventional plates for 1-color jobs
Flexographic Printing Presses and Inking Systems
  • Press configurations and comparisons
  • Ink system options and selection
Anilox Rolls
  • Understanding anilox LPI and volume
  • Specifying anilox rolls based on print needs
Flexo Inks
  • Water-based, Solvent based, and UV inks
  • Ink ingredients
  • Ink color systems and the Pantone book
Day 3 - Begin 8:30am
Press Operation
  • Mount plates, check ink, and set-up press for 1-color job
  • Print job and register die
Begin 3-color Flexo Job
  • Prepress and Design for multi-color printing
  • Combining screen tints for extended colors
  • Create original design
Day 4 - End 4:00pm
Color Separation of 3-color job
  • Screen angles, LPI, trapping and distortion
Digital Proofing and Plate-making
  • Make color proofs with 2 digital proofing options
  • Make digital plates, review digital plate-making characteristics
Press Operation
  • Plate mounting, PMS ink mixing, and press make-ready
  • Run all 3-color jobs
  • Review press to proof matches

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