Packaging offset application--Supplier's voice (2)

Although the packaging printing market size and development potential are considerable, but in many people's inertial thinking, it seems that only gravure and flexo printing is the mainstream technology of packaging and printing, offset printing is more reflected in the field of books and commercial printing. However, several offset printing equipment suppliers do not seem to agree with this view. In their opinion, in the field of packaging and printing, offset printing and gravure printing and flexo printing have their advantages and disadvantages. It is difficult to say whether they are superior or inferior.

Mr. Kong Fude Heidelberger company focused on the nature of the work on the flexo and offset printing. He said that the flexographic equipment investment is low and the processing capability of the line is strong, but this is more suitable for medium-to-long-term activities, and is not suitable for short-run package printing. Moreover, with more configuration, its boot preparation time will increase. In addition, flexo printing consumables are not cheap, such as flexo printing plates are much more expensive than offset printing PS plates. Also, flexographic printing is a relatively new technology, and it is difficult to operate the equipment, and the technical level of operators is generally not high. Therefore, for long-term, stable jobs, flexo printing is more suitable; for short-run, high value-added jobs, offset is more advantageous.

Mr. Zhang Jianfa of Manroland Company compared the quality of printed matter with flexo and offset printing. He said that offset printing is better for the reproduction of dots, and the color is also bright; and flexo printing is suitable for printing the field and lines because the ink layer is thicker, and the configuration of the flexo printer is flexible, and offset printing can be added according to the needs of trademark printing, etc. India, screen printing and other units. But flexo will not seize the offset market because the strength of offset printing is too strong. From the supplier's point of view, flexographic printer suppliers are far behind their offset press suppliers. After all, offset printing has developed for more than 100 years.

KBA's Mr. Wang Lianxi compared the offset printing with the gravure printing. He said that the gravure printing ink is full and suitable for products with large coverage of printing ink, but its printing is not fine enough, and it is inferior to offset printing in the fine dot reproduction. In addition, the investment in the gravure printing machine is very large, so it is necessary to ensure sufficient business volume, otherwise it is difficult to guarantee the return on investment of the equipment. The history of offset printing applications is longer and the product's adaptability is also better. Many of the previous gravure cigarette packs have now begun to use offset printing.

(to be continued)