SPGPrints’ rotary screen solutions feature at Label&Print

Packaging Solutions

At Label&Print 2017, SPGPrints will present rotary screen printing solutions for applying aesthetically appealing and functional ehancements to labels and cartons (stand J26, 1 to 2 March, NEC, Birmingham, UK).

The company offers a complete workflow, centered on its high strength non-woven reusable nickel mesh screens, in line printing units, lacquers and digital and analogue imaging systems. These enable printers to integrate high quality, cost effective rotary screen printing with flexo, offset and gravure presses, to create effects such as the no-label look, raised varnishes, metallic effects, security features and Braille, productively in a single pass.

Non-woven nickel rotary screens, including the re-engraveable RotaMesh and reusable RotaPlate screens, offer high strength, long life and stability at speeds of up to 130 metres per minute. Both screen types are suitable for applications from coarse effects measuring up to 250 µm thickness, to fine linework and readable text down to 2 points. Thanks to the strength of the mesh, RotaMesh screens are available in widths up to 900 mm.

SPGPrints’ RSI (Rotary Screen Integration) units, in widths between 254 mm and 900 mm, are easily retrofitted on the presses of leading machine manufacturers and require minimal set up time.

Additionally, SPGPrints’ pre-press systems offer fast, user friendly digitised solutions for high definition screen imaging.

rotaLen is a direct laser engraving system for imaging rotary screens with resolutions of up to 4000 dpi in a single step. The engraver’s sealed CO2 laser ablates the printed areas without film, chemicals or water. Its extended engraving width accommodates RotaMesh screens of up to 1000 mm printing width or two RotaPlate meshes simultaneously. Files for rotaLen can be prepared with SPGPrints’ software, providing optimum control when creating fine positive and negative images.

The variLex hybrid laser exposer is a single, digital imaging solution for high definition flexo, dry offset, screen and letterpress printing formes. It can be equipped with multi-beam diode lasers for ablating the black mask and/or for directly exposing UV sensitive screen materials. variLex is capable of ablation and exposure in one step and comes with SPGPrints’ own software solutions.

‘For depth of colour, the feel of quality, and product differentiation, brands continue to rely on rotary screen – in conjunction with flexo, offset and gravure – to achieve the high end presentation that their customers expect,’ said Hank Guitjens, commercial manager label printing. ‘SPGPrints’ solutions are suitable both very long runs, or shorter runs using cassettes for fast changeovers, to meet today’s market demands.’