What is Flexographic Printing?
Flexographic (flexo) printing is a popular printing method that uses flexible printing plates to transfer ink onto various substrates such as paper, plastic, and metal. Flexo specialty adhesives and coatings are used in this process to provide additional functionality such as adhesive properties, durability, and protection.
Some common types of Flexo specialty adhesives include pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA) and hot-melt adhesives. PSA is a type of adhesive that forms a bond when pressure is applied to the substrate and is commonly used in label applications. Hot-melt adhesives, on the other hand, are melted and applied to the substrate in a liquid state, and then solidify upon cooling.
Flexo specialty coatings can provide additional functionality to the printed substrate, such as gloss, matte, or satin finishes, and can also enhance the durability of the print by protecting it from abrasion, moisture, and UV light.
Overall, flexo specialty adhesives and coatings play an important role in the flexographic printing process, providing added functionality and protection to the printed substrate.
Flexo Adhesives are a key component of the flexographic printing process, as they play a critical role in ensuring that the printing plates remain firmly affixed to the printing cylinder. Flexo adhesives come in a variety of formulations, each designed to meet specific performance requirements.
The most used type are water-based adhesives, which are easy to use, have low VOC emissions, and are cost-effective. Water-based adhesives are also environmentally friendly and can be easily disposed of without harming the environment. They are used for printing on a variety of substrates, including paper, film, and corrugated board.
Another type of adhesive is solvent-based adhesives, which are typically used for printing on non-porous substrates, such as plastics and metal foils. Solvent-based adhesives are fast-drying, which allows for high-speed printing, and they also have good heat resistance, which makes them suitable for printing on products that are subjected to high temperatures.
UV-curable adhesives are another type of adhesive that has gained popularity in recent years. These adhesives are cured using UV light, which results in a strong, permanent bond between the printing plate and the printing cylinder.
UV-curable adhesives are ideal for printing on substrates that are difficult to bond to, such as metal foils and plastics, and they also offer excellent chemical resistance.
Flexo adhesive is available in hot melt formulations, which are used for printing on products that require a strong, permanent bond. Hot melt adhesives are typically used for printing on packaging materials, such as boxes and cartons, and they offer good heat resistance and excellent bonding strength.
Flexo adhesive plays a critical role in the flexographic printing process, ensuring that the printing plates remain firmly affixed to the printing cylinder. There are a variety of flexo adhesive available, each designed to meet specific performance requirements.
Water-based adhesives are the most used and are environmentally friendly, while solvent-based adhesives are suitable for printing on non-porous substrates. UV-curable adhesives offer excellent chemical resistance, and hot melt adhesives provide a strong, permanent bond.
Flexo Adhesives
Flexo adhesive is a type of adhesive commonly used in the printing industry. They are used for a variety of applications including:
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Labeling: Flexo adhesives are commonly used to adhere labels to packaging materials such as bottles, cans, and boxes. They are known for their ability to provide excellent adhesion to a wide range of surfaces.
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Packaging: Flexo adhesives are also commonly used in the packaging industry to bond materials such as paper, cardboard, and plastic films. They are ideal for use in high-speed packaging lines as they can quickly set and bond materials.
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Carton sealing: Flexo adhesives are used for sealing cartons and boxes. They provide excellent bonding strength and can withstand the rigors of shipping and handling.
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Paper converting: Flexo adhesives are also used in paper converting applications such as envelope manufacturing, paper bag production, and paperboard laminating. They provide excellent adhesion to a variety of paper substrates.
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Tape manufacturing: Flexo adhesives are used in the manufacture of pressure-sensitive tapes. They provide excellent tack and adhesion to a variety of surfaces.
Flexo adhesives are highly versatile and can be used in a wide range of applications in the printing, packaging, and paper converting industries.
Flexo adhesives are known for their versatility and ability to bond strongly to a wide range of materials, including:
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Paper: Flexo adhesives are commonly used in the paper industry to bond various types of paper together.
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Plastic: Flexo adhesives can bond to a variety of plastic materials, including polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, PET, and others.
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Metal: Flexo adhesives can bond to metals such as steel, aluminum, and copper.
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Glass: Flexo adhesives can bond to glass, including tempered glass and borosilicate glass.
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Wood: Flexo adhesives can bond to wood, including hardwoods and softwoods.
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Ceramics: Flexo adhesives can bond to ceramics, including porcelain and stoneware.
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Fabric: Flexo adhesives can bond to a variety of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, nylon, and others.
Flexo adhesives provide a strong, durable bond to most materials, making them a popular choice in many industries
Are you considering using Flexo Adhesive?
Flexo adhesive refers to an adhesive that is used in flexographic printing, which is a popular method of printing on various materials such as plastic films, paper, and cardboard.
Flexo adhesive is used in flexographic printing to bond the printing plate to the printing cylinder. This adhesive must have excellent adhesive strength, high tack, and fast cure time to ensure that the printing plate remains securely attached during the printing process.
If you are considering using Flexo Adhesive – it is important to ensure that it is compatible with the materials you are printing on and that it meets your specific requirements for adhesive strength, tack, and cure time. It is also important to follow proper handling and storage procedures to ensure the adhesive remains effective.
Need more information? To speak with a technical representative about your application, and to request samples or pricing, please call 800-249-0337 or email us at [email protected]