Doctoring systems play an important role in removing excess ink, but they are not perfect.

By Missy Smith

Lamella or bevel tip doctor blades have been available to the gravure printer for years. Today, a printer can buy a lamella tip in almost any tip thickness he needs or wants. Tip thickness can range from 50 microns (.002˝) up to 175 microns (.007˝) and bevel blades can range from 2 to 45 degrees. These blade styles are still available as standard blades, but now are also available as coated blades.