Benefits from today’s anilox rolls include dot gain reduction, improved color quality, and longer roll life

By Tom Polischuk

Additionally, the use of multi-hit circumferential engravings of ceramic-coated anilox rolls gives higher cell volumes and reduces doctor blade side shifting, resulting in better doctoring. Cell volume reduction due to wear of a ceramic-coated laser engraved anilox roll is not common, resulting in extended quality printing. Good daily cleaning and periodic laser cleaning of anilox rolls to remove the ink additives that build up on the engraved surface, such as poly-wax, silicone and Teflon, has shown to keep ceramic rolls producing top-quality printing for many years.