Industry embraces HD Flexo

More than 160 professional users had been HD Flexo certified by EskoArtwork as of the end of 2011, showing the commercial benefits of the technology.
 
HD Flexo is a flexographic printing technology that combines 4,000ppi HD optics with unique screening technologies to take advantage of sharper and more accurate imaging. EskoArtwork said the high-resolution optics deliver more accurate, sharper imaging of text and line art, higher contrast and more detail sharpness in images, smoother tints, better ink film lay down and a greater color gamut. Users of HD Flexo are also able to achieve the full tonal range of offset, greater run lengths, fewer washing cycles and improved shadow performance of their prints.
 
HD Flexo certified industry professionals include 95 customers, 60 partners and 10 vendors, with more companies currently going through the application process.
 
Jan Buchweitz, senior product manager digital flexo at EskoArtwork, said: ‘Customers are finding HD Flexo certification makes a big difference. They want trusted solutions. They want to know that certified components will all work perfectly together, whether they are printing machines, ink or tape. They also want advice from providers that clearly understand exactly how HD Flexo delivers an improved print performance and how individual providers can best leverage this capability within their operations.’
 
‘The achievement of higher quality requires compliance with specific standards and it is only if you follow these that you get the consistency and predictability that delivers the right print every time. This standardization across vendors, partners and customers ensures a new horizon in flexo quality. The process requires a great deal of commitment from both suppliers and EskoArtwork, resulting in some very rewarding long-term relationships. It also enables all parties to benefit from offering this leading-edge print solution.
 
‘We started with certification of trade houses, which initially had difficulty getting equipment that matched the required standard. Now trade houses are encouraging their partners to get certified, and this has prompted exponential growth, spanning all sectors from flexible packaging and labels to folding cartons and corrugated.’

The number of certified vendors has grown in recent times, with printing press manufacturers Omet and Edale achieving HD Flexo certified status. They join Mark Andy and Gallus labels as press vendors. Siegwerk is the current sole certified ink supplier; Apex, Harper and Zecher are certified anilox suppliers; and Lohmann and Tesa certified tape suppliers.
 
“When we launched the HD Flexo certification program, we began with customers but soon realized that suppliers were keen to gain certification as well. They found it to be a terrific way for them to demonstrate that their systems were capable of producing consistent and reliable high-quality results. This in turn enabled them to have more meaningful conversations with their customers.
 
‘We are delighted that such a wide range of companies have embraced HD Flexo certification and are so committed to using it. The adoption rate is clear validation that the process works and that HD Flexo has important commercial benefits. HD Flexo certified companies are able to differentiate their solutions from their competition.’