Quality Control: Measure it, Control it!

For the flexo printer, Allen says, the anilox roll and the printing plate are probably the two most important variables to control when going to press. Too often, however, when a job is not working, the printer will blame the ink supplier, the ink supplier will blame the anilox roll manufacturer, and the anilox supplier will blame the plates. Accurate measurement of cell volume enables predictable ink film thickness. Combine that certainty with predictable dot sizes on plates, and printers have the power to reduce makeready and color match time and deliver consistent results every time a job goes to press.