BRITISH anilox manufacturer Sandon Global has entered a strategic partnership with prepress solutions provider XSYS to help flexible packaging printers achieve ‘higher opacity whites at no additional cost’.
In recent trials, Sandon Global’s High Volume Process (HVP) and Fluid FP anilox engravings combined with XSYS’ Woodpecker Nevis surface screening technology are said to have demonstrated that the same quality opaque white coverage could be achieved using lower volume anilox. Sandon Global explained that utilising these technologies showed a reduction in ink consumption, cost savings, more efficient operation and increased printing speed.
Paul Mitchell, regional sales manager – UK & Ireland, Sandon Global, said, “White ink traditionally represents around 50% of a flexo printer’s ink spend and, with converters under pressure to improve quality whilst minimising, or even reducing, costs, it made perfect sense for us to find a solution to address this challenge. Working in collaboration with XSYS, we have brought together our combined expertise in anilox engraving, imaging in combination with surface screening and plate technology to make printing high opacity whites at no additional cost a reality.
“With our support, printers can discover which anilox engraving is best suited for their needs, delivering high opacity whites and ensuring they can invest their time and money in efficiencies elsewhere.”
Sandon Global’s HVP engraving is said to enable printers to combine good solids and tonal areas on one plate. It does this by combining high line counts and high volume through its cell design. The firm stated that this contrasts with conventional 60° engravings that are only capable of offering either a high volume or a high line count but not both, without compromising the release characteristics of the anilox.
Fluid FP is the evolution of Sandon Global’s HVP and IPRO engravings – a semi-channelled engraving that allows an ‘easier and controlled flow’ of ink between cells whilst maintaining a ‘strong element of volume control’.
Paul Mitchell added, “We are delighted to partner with XSYS to bring the best of our technologies together to deliver high opacity whites at a lower volume, without compromising on quality. Not only that, but the sustainability benefits speak for themselves with a potential increase in printing speed, plus a reduction in ink and solvent leading to reduced energy consumption along with cleaning of exhausted air. It’s a winning and sustainable solution for flexible packaging printers.”
Stuart Robinson, technical account manager, XSYS, commented, “Printers are under constant pressure to look at productivity gains and cost reductions in a more sustainable way whilst not compromising on quality. Here at XSYS, we are constantly working on developments to offer all our customers leading edge technology and products to help achieve this.”
