TCL Packaging brings gravure quality to flexo

Packaging Solutions

TCL Packaging in Telford, in partnership with Daventry based Creation Reprographics, credits Asahi Photoproducts AWP flexo plates in part with its ability to make significant progress toward its goal of migrating gravure production to flexography for food and non-food flexible packaging.

‘We are all about replacement of gravure here at TCL,’ said Dean Langford, TCL production manager. ‘We initially assessed about five different flexographic plates, but when we began working with Creation Reprographics, we were really impressed with the quality standard they could deliver on the Asahi AWP plate solution.’

Extensive AWP plate trials and live production jobs have proven the AWP plate’s ability to print down to 2% to 3% using classical round dot screening. With the latest screening technologies, the plate is able to reproduce a vignette fade to zero. Due to this quality performance leap, customers like TCL Packaging, have already been able to successfully transfer production from offset or gravure to flexographic printing.

Dean added, ‘Working with our repro team, Creation Reprographics took two eight colour gravure jobs, did extensive colour management and fingerprinting work and delivered them in five colours on our new Uteco line investment, with outstanding performance according to our customer.

‘Creation Reprographics understood our desire to perform at a premium level in the market; and working with the Asahi AWP plate, we are able to extend our application reach, as well as meet the needs of premium brands in the market.’

Today, business is booming at TCL Packaging. For the past three years, it has been growing at an average of 10% per annum.