The quality of the printing plate is heavily influenced by its hardness. A harder printing plate has less elasticity, which can lead to a shorter lifespan and higher definition in printed graphics. The dots on the print experience less compression deformation, resulting in sharper images. However, excessive hardness can cause damage to the corrugation structure under high pressure, weakening the carton’s compressive strength. On the other hand, a softer printing plate offers greater elasticity, better resistance to wear, and longer life. It also ensures full contact with rough surfaces, allowing for better ink coverage. However, this increased flexibility often leads to more dot deformation, which can negatively impact print quality.
Choosing the right material and hardness for the printing plate is essential to maintaining consistent print quality. In flexographic printing, it's recommended to use a solid photosensitive resin plate due to its excellent ink transfer performance and high tolerance. These plates offer high accuracy in image reproduction, good stability, resistance to wear, and minimal deformation, making them ideal for long-term use. They are easy to process and have become widely adopted in the industry.
The hardness of the plate should be selected based on the specific printing process and the requirements of the graphics and text being printed. For general applications, a hardness between HS32-35 is suitable. For small print and dot printing, where precision is key, a slightly harder plate with a hardness range of HS37-42 is typically used. This ensures optimal performance while maintaining print quality and durability.
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