Coatings, proper setting of the blade, and properly selecting a doctor blade for your application/press will go a long way toward prolonging the life of the blade.

By Chris Mc Loone

Keeping the entire process in mind is also important. According to Sharkey, printers have moved from price-driven doctor blade buying decisions to process improvement driven decisions. “At this level, printers are engaged in active process control and waste reduction programs focused on print quality and bottom-line improvement, he says.