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

UV inks have continued to pose unique challenges to narrow- and mid-web flexo printers, according to Foley, with the main issue continuing to be ink spitting. “Due to its unique consistency, UV ink, when circulated in your ink stream, applies excessive hydraulic force to the doctor blade,” he says. “This often leads to unwanted ink spitting onto the printed web.” Kevin McLaughlin, president of Flexo Concepts, adds, “Some inks and coatings cannot print well using certain types of blades and today’s printing requirements call for some flexibility by the printer in selecting the correct blade for that application.”