Miraclon and Zecher partner for gold

The project, executed in cooperation with a range of partners, including Miraclon that provided the Kodak Flexcel NX plates, aimed to prove that uniform color and image reproduction on a range of different substrates can be achieved using flexo printing.

To maximize the relevance, companies have chosen complex images typically found on the packaging, with highlights and fine details in the high tonal ranges. A subject, rich in contrast woman’s face covered in gold make-up proved to be a particular challenge for CMYK flexo printing. It also inspired the project’s motto: Together for Golden Results.

Three applications produced included flexible packaging (printed on BOPP film), corrugated preprint on 135 g/cm2 paper fully coated on one side, and a paper carrier bag made from 100 g/cm2 white-coated kraft paper.

Zecher anilox rollers equipped with SteppedHex engraving technology were used to print all three applications using Flexcel NX plates, made with Kodak Maxtone SX Screening optimized for the Flecel NX system.

‘We selected Flexcel NX plate technology based on its strong presence in the flexo market and the controlled ink transfer it delivers,’ commented Jörg Rohde, head of application technology at Zecher.

The technical resources for producing the flexible packaging application were made available by machinery and systems manufacturer Windmöller & Hölscher (W&H) at its Printing Technology Center in Lengerich, Germany. 

‘We succeeded in demonstrating the high color consistency and comparable results that are achievable across a range of products and substrates with flexo printing today,’ added Rohde. ‘The project confirmed that our Zecher SteppedHex anilox roller engraving technology facilitates the highest levels of color consistency in different flexo applications, and the Flesxcel NX plate technology from Miraclon helped us do that. Provided all process parameters are precisely matched, “golden results” like these are entirely feasible under real production conditions.’

‘We are delighted to be part of a project that pushes the boundaries of flexo printing,’ said Nilgun Turan, marketing manager for Europe at Miraclon. ‘With their unmatched stability, optimized ink transfer, and the wide tonal range it delivers, Flexcel NX plates enable the large color gamut that is a condition of applications like gold in CMYK every time. The results of this project are clear evidence that innovation will continue driving flexo’s growing success in the market.’

To here to read about practical examples of extended gamut flexo printing.