Flexography is a modern letter press with rotating plates and fluid ink. The advantage of the method for printing is putting images on difficult surfaces such as material or smooth plastic. This process is much faster than some methods, making it possible to mass produce artistic creations for sale.
With flexography, it is an ideal situation for printing high-volume, fast-paced runs of packaging materials, labels, and other products. Cover photo by .
What Are the Pros and Cons of Flexographic Printing?
Statista shows a slow but steady growth in the sales of flexographic printers between 2021 and 2026. In 2021, the . By 2026, numbers will reach $1.57 billion. As more companies see the benefits of flexography, expect the process to become more commonplace.
Benefits include faster printing, lower costs and more durable materials where the colors stay brilliant over time. Flexography impacts the photography industry in a number of ways.
In recent years, flexography has become increasingly popular due to advances in plate and press technology, which have allowed for greater precision and accuracy in printing, as well as increased speed and efficiency. These advances help add to the compounding growth of the flexographic printing industry.
This is a diagram that shows how flexographic printing works.
Diagram by ECTran71 via
1. Speed Up Processing
Flexographic printing is much faster than some other methods. For example, if a photographer has a highly popular image and it sells quickly, rather than waiting around for screen printing or other methods, the artist can create rapid batches and sell multiple reprints of the photo.
Some photographers may even find they can sell their images with retailers or create a line with the best shots on them, such as tote bags or T-shirts. Some people prefer digital printing because and there is no need to create flexible plates. However, both methods have their pros and cons, so flexography just adds another tool to your printing toolbox.
2. Cut Costs
If you’ve been using offset printing, you might find that flexo offers a bit of a cost savings. You can also use the plates longer, making setup fees cheaper in the long run. Most flexographic printers can complete the print in one pass. Some machines add other capabilities such as silk screen, foil, digital print and lamination.
If a photographer wants to create something durable, they can seek a machine that overlays a coating after the printed image is finished. Flexography reduces the steps to make a work of art. The larger the print run, the more money you’ll save.
3. Reduce Waste
Flexography is a green-friendly way to print. Flexos let you choose non-toxic inks that aren’t as harsh on the environment. The plates can easily be reused, meaning less are produced and thus the entire process becomes more eco-friendly.
In many areas of the world, solvent-based inks are banned. In a recent study out of the UK, researchers pointed to the . Those who work in the printing industry might breathe in mists and expose themselves to the chemicals used in the printing process. Turning to a variety of ink types can help reduce potential impact on the earth and keep the photographer or printer safe.
Photo:
4. Print on Versatile Surfaces
Photographers don’t have to worry if their image will be on a smooth surface. With flexography, print photos on nearly any surface imaginable. Want to create a barnwood design with a landscape photograph? No problem.
In the past, some inks and paints didn’t print as clearly as others, depending on the surface of the object. With flexo, you can print on anything you might imagine, including stone, metal, plastic and wood.
5. Bring Art to Life
According to the U.S. government, , meaning more people come into the career each year. To stand out from competitors, you need a hook that’s unlike anything they’re doing. For example, if you do senior and family photos, what do you offer that no one else in your area does?
Providing something as simple as some wallet-sized photos on metal plates can give students a nice keepsake to share with classmates and family. Offer packages different from what other people off and you’ll attract more business via word-of-mouth and repeat customers.
6. Be Flexible With Inks
How can you decide which printing process to use? For example, will lithographic work better for your needs? Perhaps digital printing is the preferred method. Keep in mind that if you have an image with only a few bold colors, it will translate well using flexo.
Another advantage of flexographic printing is that the finished product is much more durable than when you use a method such as lithography. If you want the item to wear well, such as on a tee, then flexographic may be the way to go. On the other hand, if you only need the image to look good for an event or two, you may save some money by going with a different process.
7. Dry Ink Quicker
Flexo is also known to be a faster process because the ink dries more quickly. If you need to immediately share something or fill an order, you won’t have to wait days or weeks for the ink to fully dry and cure.
You’ll also remove the concern of prints getting smudged as people handle them while they’re still wet. Flexo does still use liquid ink but the types of ink dry quickly and allow for more rapid production.
Flexography Complements Photography
Flexography isn’t really changing photography as much as it complements it. Work with a printer that has multiple options for how to get your photos on surfaces. You might find one process works best for one project and something else for another. You want a partner to guide you in the right direction. Try flexo on the projects where it makes the most sense. Once you’re familiar with the method, you’ll likely use it quite frequently.
Read next:
The post appeared first on .