Sélection de ruban de fixation de plaques flexographiques

Sélection de ruban de fixation de plaques flexographiques: 7 points à considérer

As the owner of a flexographic printing company, you may sometimes encounter problems such as plate lifting at high press speeds, difficulty during demounting, and mounting tape wear that slows production and increases costs. Proper flexographic plate mounting tape selection can help you avoid these problems by ensuring secure adhesion, smooth removal, and durability throughout the print run.

But how can you choose the right flexographic mounting tape?

Understanding the key factors that affect performance can help you choose the right tape and enhance your printing efficiency and output quality. But first, let’s review some of the most common printing issues related to poor flexographic plate mounting tape selection.

Key Takeaways

  • Selecting the right flexographic plate mounting tape prevents issues like plate lifting, air bubbles, and misregistration, ensuring high-quality printing and reduced costs.
  • Matching tape characteristics to print job requirements, such as compressibility and thickness, improves efficiency and avoids defects.
  • Adhesion strength must balance secure mounting with easy removal to prevent downtime and protect plates.
  • Durable, eco-friendly tapes lower maintenance costs, reduce waste, and support sustainable operations.

Impact of Poor Flexographic Mounting Tape Selection on Printing Process and Results

Selecting the appropriate flexographic plate mounting tape is an art and a very important step if you wish to maintain print quality and operational efficiency. Not taking flexo plate mounting tape selection seriously can lead to several issues:

  • Registration Problems: Inconsistent tape thickness or inadequate adhesion can cause misalignment or plate lift, resulting in blurred or distorted images. This misregistration leads to increased waste and reduced productivity.
  • Air Bubble Formation: Improper tape application or selection can lead to air bubbles between the plate and tape, causing printing defects and necessitating machine stops for correction.
  • Demounting Difficulties: Selecting a tape with overly aggressive adhesion can make plate removal challenging, increasing the risk of plate damage and extending downtime during job changeovers.
  • Photopolymer Plate Wear: Incompatible tapes can accelerate plate wear, increasing replacement costs and downtime. Tapes with improper compressibility may cause excessive pressure on plates, leading to premature degradation.
  • Dot Gain: Incorrect tape hardness can alter printed dot size, compromising image sharpness. Softer tapes may cause dots to spread, while harder tapes might not provide adequate ink transfer.
  • Pressure Adjustment Issues: Suboptimal tape resilience may require frequent pressure adjustments, leading to inefficiencies. Tapes that do not maintain consistent thickness can cause uneven impressions, necessitating constant recalibration.

Familiar with any of these above-mentioned issues? Well, you probably have picked the wrong tape for your printing job. When selecting a flexographic plate mounting tape, there are a few key factors to consider for smooth, efficient printing and top-tier results. Let’s take a look at them.

What to Look for When Selecting Flexo Plate Mounting Tapes?

Understanding flexographic mounting tapes’ features and printing project requirements can help improve print quality and efficiency. Here are some of the factors that you need to consider when selecting a flexographic plate mounting tape.

Before choosing flexographic plate mounting tape, it’s essential to match the tape’s characteristics to your specific print job requirements. Consider the type of artwork—whether it’s solid areas, fine halftones, or a combination—as this influences the choice of tape hardness and compressibility. 

For instance, softer flexographic mounting tapes, like tesa Softprint 72122 Steelmaster TP, are generally better for printing high-resolution screens or process work, while harder tapes, like tesa Softprint 72328 TP-X are best for printing solids. 

The press speed and substrate type should also be assessed, as these factors can impact tape performance.

2. Adhesion Levels and Removal Ease

Many flexographic printing facilities encounter challenges like plate lifting during high-speed runs and difficulty demounting plates after printing. 

Selecting mounting tapes with appropriate adhesion levels is essential to prevent these issues in your operations. A balanced adhesive ensures plates stay securely in place during printing, reducing defects and downtime. Additionally, it allows for easy plate removal post-production, preserving plate integrity and minimizing cleanup. 

For instance, a high-tack adhesive offers strong bonding but may pose challenges during demounting, while a low-tack adhesive facilitates easier removal but might risk plate shifting during printing. 

Most Tesa plate mounting tapes utilize tackified acrylic as an adhesive. It provides a strong bond to the plate and the cylinder or sleeve, ensuring stability during printing. However, we recommend that you collaborate with your plate mounting tape supplier to choose tapes that offer the right adhesion properties.

3. Ease of Application

For efficient operations, it is essential to select a flexographic plate mounting tape that is easy to apply. The tape should adhere smoothly with minimal pressure, reducing application time and operator fatigue. Features like air-release liners can help prevent air bubble formation, ensuring a flawless bond between the plate and cylinder. Proper application techniques, such as using a hand-held rubber roller, are essential for optimal results.

4. Thickness and Foam Density Options

When selecting flexographic plate mounting tapes, it’s essential to consider both thickness and foam density.

The tape’s thickness affects print quality, registration, and cushioning. Thinner tapes are often suitable for fine detail work, while thicker tapes provide additional cushioning for solid prints. Using an incorrect thickness can lead to issues like improper ink transfer or plate damage. 

Foam density determines the tape’s compressibility, impacting ink transfer and print results. 

  • Soft foam is ideal for halftone and process work, offering better tone reproduction. 
  • Medium-density foam suits combination prints, balancing solids and dots. 
  • Hard foam is best for solid areas, providing firm support. 

Choosing the wrong foam density can cause problems like dot gain or inadequate ink coverage. 

5. Press Speed and Run Length

Are you facing issues with plate lifting or inconsistent prints during high press speeds or long runs? These challenges are often linked to an improper choice of flexographic plate mounting tape. High-speed presses require tapes with strong adhesion and optimal foam density to keep plates securely in place. The tape’s durability is crucial for longer runs to maintain consistent performance without degradation. 

Using the wrong tape can lead to print flaws, increased press stops, and higher maintenance costs. You can boost productivity and eliminate plate lift issues by aligning your tape selection with your press speed and run length. Your supplier can help you choose a flexo mounting tape that supports smooth, uninterrupted printing, keeping your operations efficient and cost-effective. 

6. Chemical and Wear-resistant 

Consider selecting the flexo plate mounting tape that can withstand exposure to solvents present in inks and mechanical stresses during printing. This durability prevents issues like photopolymer plate lifting, which can compromise print quality. 

You ensure consistent adhesion throughout the print run by choosing tapes designed to resist chemical degradation and mechanical wear. This careful flexographic plate mounting tape selection minimizes downtime caused by plate failures and maintains the integrity of your printing process.

7. Sustainability

Sustainability plays an important role when choosing flexographic plate mounting tapes. Many tapes are now designed with environmentally friendly materials that reduce waste and support recycling efforts.

For example, some options include reusable foam layers or low-emission adhesives, which help minimize your environmental footprint. You can also reduce waste during long production runs by selecting tapes that require fewer replacements and are easier to recycle. 

Sustainable flexographic tapes support eco-friendly initiatives and can lead to cost savings by improving durability and efficiency. Ask your custom adhesive tape manufacturer about sustainable plate mounting tape options that meet your performance needs without compromising environmental responsibility.

Conclusion

Flexographic plate mounting tape selection involves evaluating several key factors. Adhesion levels ensure secure plates and easy removal, while the thickness and foam density impact cushioning and print precision. Print job requirements and press speed guide performance needs, and chemical resistance improves durability. Sustainability supports eco-friendly operations. Together, these considerations help optimize print quality and productivity.

MPI Matco is pleased to serve the flexographic printing industry with various industrial adhesive solutions such as plate mounting tapes, splicing tapes, and many other related products from well-known brands such as Tesa and 3M. We are also proud to say that we are the exclusive Platinum distributor for Tesa in Canada. Find out more about our services for the flexographic printing industry.
Need help choosing a flexographic plate mounting tape for a specific project? Request a free consultation with one of our experts.

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