PRINT PROCESSES: rotogravure

Rotogravure

Gravure Printing Process is used for long run printing with sharper, fine and clear images. The general operation involves image preparation, cylinder preparation, printing and finishing. It is a form of intaglio printing. The image is formed on a depressed or sunken surface. The image area consists of honeycomb shaped cells that are etched or engraved into a copper cylinder. As the cylinder rotates in an ink pan (bath of ink), any extra ink is wiped off the cylinder with the help of a steel doctor blade. As the substrate passes between the plate cylinder and the impression cylinder, ink is directly transferred to the substrate and image is formed.

Applications include printing magazines, greeting cards, gift-wraps, labels, flexible packaging, cartons and others.

Rotogravure Printing Machines operate at very high speeds and are used by a number of industries for printing magazines, advertising print materials, cards etc for printing job that are long running in nature and require sharper and finer prints & images on different materials including PET, PVC, PE and paper. These machines employ turret type unwinder and rewinder; automatic splicing and web discharging can also be done. To enhance thedrying performance and minimize printing defects, these machines are equipped with high speed drying systems.

Applications: Greeting Cards, magazines, advertising materials including brochures, catalogs, flexible packaging, self-adhesive labels.