Anilox Engraving

James cites maintenance, handling, and care as the most significant issues for sleeves. “It is very easy to damage the ends of the sleeves when removing and reloading them onto the press,” he says. “Storage for sleeves should be vertical or supported with a wide tubing when stored horizontally.” Cleaning practices for sleeves, he says, should have explicit directions that follow manufacturers’ recommendations regardless of what type of cleaning system is being used. “Additionally, care must be taken when loading and unloading of sleeves from the press mandrel,” he says. “The sleeve must slide smoothly in either direction. If the sleeve binds up and the operator waddles the sleeve around the mandrel, the inner construction of the sleeve can be damaged.”