Today’s high line count anilox rolls offer increased printing quality. However, they are more fragile and more easily damaged than older aniloxes, and require cleaning systems with a softer touch.

By Kate Sharon

There are several things printers can do to cut down on wear and tear to the anilox during the cleaning process. First and foremost is to act quickly. According to Tony Donato, technical sales solutions manager, HarperScientific, “The best way to keep the cleaning system from adding to the anilox wearing is for the operators to try to keep the ink from building up in layers, and from cross linking and fully curing. This is done when the roll is first taken out of service and/or is ready to be removed from the press and/or is at the end of the running of the roll. The old saying, ‘Never let the anilox roll dry’ is as good advice today as it was years ago. A little work up front can save a lot of anilox damage and wear, and save the printer budget.”