There are several printing methods for plastic packaging available these days. One of them, rotogravure, is still a popular choice, especially for large print runs. Offering convenience and versatility, it is one of the most widely used printing methods in the packaging industry.
You can read about all of its features and benefits below.
WHAT ROTOGRAVURE ENTAILS
Rotogravure, or gravure for short, is a printing method that has been around in the packaging industry for many years, especially for high turnover products. It involves directly printing onto the substrate – the ink is directly transferred to the packaging surface without any intermediate carrier.
SO HOW DOES ROTOGRAVURE PRINTING WORK?
This method usually consists of copper or bronze-plated cylinders using an intaglio printing process: the engraved cylinder sits partially immersed in an ink fountain, where it picks up ink to fill its recessed cells, which is then transferred to the substrate (film) as this is fed through the cylinders. Each cylinder prints in a different colour and the image is gradually transferred onto the film. Deeper cells which can hold more ink result in darker areas of a print, while shallower cells give lighter tones.
This type of machine can print up to 9 colours, although at SP Group we use 8-colour rotogravure machines. Our cylinders use the electromechanical engraving technique, allowing us to achieve glossy, high-quality graphics, exceptional image definition and complex and detailed designs and blends.
BENEFITS OF ROTOGRAVURE FOR LARGE RUNS
One of the decisive factors when choosing rotogravure printing over other methods is that it is ideal for large, repetitive runs with long-lasting designs, due to the high startup costs involved (mainly the initial print cylinder setup).
Rotogravure is therefore the most cost-effective method for high-volume print jobs. It also prints at high-speeds, making it a good choice for markets with fast production and turnaround requirements.
The rotogravure system can be used with different types of substrate, resulting in a versatile printing system that is employed by many industries for complex flexible materials, including those that require heat treatments, pasteurisation and sterilisation.
ROTOGRAVURE APPLICATIONS
Rotogravure can be used in different market sectors. Since it is the ideal system for high turnover products, it is mostly used in the food industry, although this popular and traditional printing method is widely used across many different sectors.
ROTOGRAVURE FOR FOOD PACKAGING
Many companies that make meat products, cheeses, sauces, pasta, rice dishes, coffee and pastries opt for this printing method because those products are consumed regularly and require large runs to keep up with production.
ROTOGRAVURE FOR OTHER SECTORS: FROM PET FOOD TO PERSONAL CARE AND HYGIENE
Rotogravure can also be used for other types of packaging, including pet food, diet and food supplements, coffee and tea, chemical products, personal care and hygiene, or in other sectors like the electronic sector. It is this versatility that makes the method so popular.
ROTOGRAVURE AND SP GROUP: OUR SPECIALIST PLANT
SP Group has many years of experience in delivering packaging solutions around the world, including customisation options. The first printing methods we used were flexography and rotogravure, more or less from the outset, although over the years we have expanded to other systems like digital printing.
ARRAS: OUR SPECIALIST ROTOGRAVURE PLANT
We are aware of the importance of packaging design to increase consumer appeal. It can be a decisive factor in the purchase decision. According to some studies, for example, the study conducted by the Nielsen Consulting Group, improving packaging design can increase sales by 5.5%.
That is why SP Group hires the best printing specialists to employ the rotogravure printing method at our plants in Villarrubia and Arras (France) (our plant in Arras actually specialises exclusively in this type of printing). After all, our aim is to deliver the highest standard of packaging solutions.
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