Roll Up Your Sleeves

Cleaning agents used with brushes can create roll surface erosion if they have a higher ph than the inks. Laser-engraved anilox rolls that hold up best are those with a corrosion-resistant undercoat, which functions as a barrier between the roll's steel core and ceramic coating, Woodard notes.

Hand cleaning can also take a lot of trial and error, because few solvents can remove all types of inks and other contaminants, notes Praxair Region Sales Manager Jan Ashfield. "One cleaner that works perfectly well with ink A may not work well with ink B," he comments, adding that ink suppliers are the best source of guidance on this issue.