Miraclon launches PureFlexo Printing

According to the company, PureFlexo Printing, designed specifically for wide web solvent ink on film applications, maximizes press efficiency, repeatability and overall performance while enabling printers and pre-press providers to experience cleaner print and stable color.

‘For brands which rely more than ever on the power of packaging to connect with customers, brand consistency and eye-catching flexible packaging is increasingly important,’ commented Emma Schlotthauer, chief marketing officer at Miraclon. ‘Printers need solutions that help them meet the ever-expanding demands of graphic reproduction without needing to operate at less than optimum production speeds or risking press downtime from continual adjustments and unscheduled stoppages. 

‘A wide print latitude is the key to profitable production. PureFlexo Printing addresses a core technical issue – unwanted ink spread – which helps to widen print latitude and reset the quality-efficiency balance.’

Printers need wide latitude (also referred to as the operating window) and a robust process to manage production efficiently as a narrow latitude means small changes can push a print run out of acceptable quality or tolerances. By resisting unwanted ink spread, PureFlexo Printing gives printers the power to keep the press running with a low risk of getting to unacceptable print. 

Dr John Anderson, director of advanced print applications at Miraclon, said: ‘Ink that flows easily is a natural characteristic of printing with solvent flexo inks on film. When that ink flows in unwanted places, it can fill in, cause bridging and build-up, creating “dirty print”. It’s not always easy to manage and is often made worse by practices designed to address other print issues – such as the use of harder tapes, higher ink volumes, and over-impression. PureFlexo Printing addresses the issue head-on by using sophisticated plate surface patterning to resist and control ink spread, and sets a new standard for clean, predictable print.’

PureFlexo Printing gives control over unwanted ink spread, increasing print latitude at all quality levels, and according to Miraclon, proves to reduce unscheduled press stops due to ‘dirty print’, delivers more predictable color, decreases press-to-proof match issues, and lowers the impact of the operator and other production changes

‘With lower dot gain and significantly reduced ink build-up during a run, PureFlexo Printing not only brings a more predictable match to a press color profile, it also reduces the need to stop the press to clean plates,’ added Dr Anderson. ‘This results in much greater production efficiencies while producing a high-quality result. The complete pre-press and printing process becomes more efficient.’

PureFlexo Printing is available immediately to Flexcel NX System users through the Kodak Flexcel NX Print Suite for flexible packaging.