In 2006, Labelpak became the only company in SA to offer its clients the benefits
of flexographic, waterless and digital printing. The differences between the
three
methods are as diverse as are their respective advantages and
disadvantages. Waterless Printing: How it Works
The Waterless Printing
Association defines
the process as an "offset lithographic printing process that
eliminates the water
or dampening system used in conventional printing".
The
process uses a special
silicone rubber-coated printing plate, special ink and,
typically, a means of
temperature control on press.
With waterless printing the
use of Isopropyl Alcohol
or their substitutes is eliminated, thus turning the
traditionally chemical process
of printing into a simplified mechanical procedure.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Labelpak regards as the most important advantage of waterless printing the
fact that no loss of definition occurs during reproduction.
Because of the small
dot-sizes used during waterless printing, the process is able to offer a zero
percent vignette.
The use of the magnesium sleeve method (as opposed to the
brass cylinder method) ensures low-cost origination in hot-foiling on any medium.
Waterless printing plates offer quick roll-up to colour and, thus, reduced set-up
paper waste.
This method eliminates chemically tainted waste water.
Waterless
plates are capable of extremely high screen rulings and, as a result, allow for
higher screen sesolutions. This results in much greater definition.
Since the
water dampening chemistry is taken away, the printing ink cannot become
emulsified. This results in cleaner, sharper images.
Other benefits include:
Consistent colour