Paper printing machine Inline Flexo

for plastic filmfor labelsfor cardboard

Product overview
An inline flexo printing machine integrates multiple horizontal printing stations on a single web path to enable high-speed multi-colour printing with inline finishing. This configuration reduces overall footprint compared with separate stand-alone units and provides modular expansion options. Compared with central impression (CI) systems, horizontal inline arrangements can offer approximately 25% lower investment while retaining high flexibility.

Why choose an inline flexo printing machine
The inline flexo press performs printing and converting operations in one pass: printing, rotary die-cutting, slitting and laminating. Typical line speeds are 100–200 m/min. The design reduces manual handling and shortens job changeover times, enabling efficient inline finishing for finished labels and packaging.

Industry applications

• Labels and stickers: pressure-sensitive labels, tags and clear film labels for consumer and industrial products.
• Folding cartons: folding carton boards, milk cartons and pharmaceutical boxes with inline creasing and die-cutting.
• Flexible packaging: paper bags, aluminium foil laminates and thin packaging films.
• Specialty papers: lottery tickets, boarding passes and continuous forms used in transactional printing.

Key features and operation

• Multiple horizontal printing stations with independent colour control for accurate multi-colour registration.
• Active web tension control and guiding systems to prevent stretching and maintain registration.
• Modular expandable architecture: add extra colour stations or finishing modules as needed.
• Typical production performance: 100–200 m/min with registration accuracy around ±0.1 mm for inline setups.
• Ink handling: chambered doctor blade systems to stabilise ink transfer and reduce solvent evaporation.
• Drying options: hot-air and UV curing combinations to secure fast ink curing at high speeds.

Inline vs stack vs CI vs digital

• Inline flexo: runs ~100–200 m/min with ±0.1 mm accuracy; suited to labels, folding cartons and inline die-cutting; requires larger horizontal floor space.
• Stack flexo: runs ~40–150 m/min with ±0.15 mm accuracy; more compact footprint; fits heavy films, paper bags and PP woven sacks.
• Central impression (CI): runs ~200–400 m/min with ±0.05 mm accuracy; higher capital cost; ideal for thin flexible films and high-volume pouches.
• Digital printing: runs ~10–50 m/min; no plate setup time; best for short runs, variable data and customised labels.

Case study
A packaging plant in Poland replaced a two-step workflow (separate die-cut after printing) with a 6-colour inline flexo press equipped with an inline rotary die-cutter, chambered doctor blades and web guiding. Setup time decreased from 60 minutes to 18 minutes, registration stayed within ±0.1 mm, material waste fell under 3% and production efficiency rose by 30% within six months.

Key buying checklist

• Anilox roller LPI: 300–500 LPI for solids; 600–1000 LPI for fine halftones and sharp text.
• Chambered doctor blade: enclosed ink chambers to prevent splashing and reduce solvent loss.
• Drying capacity: confirm hot-air and UV combinations for required curing speed.
• Inline options: rotary die-cutting, cold foiling, slitting and laminating units to expand converting capability.
• Tension control: active tension control recommended for light films to avoid stretch and smudging.

FAQ

• How are multi-colour jobs managed? Each colour station runs independently along the horizontal frame; web tension and guiding keep the substrate aligned through each unit.
• Can extra printing units be added later? Yes. The modular inline design allows adding colour stations or finishing modules as production needs grow.
• Is inline flexo better than a flexo label press for tags? An inline flexo press can integrate printing and converting (slitting, die-cutting) in one pass, often delivering faster production for finished tags.

Technical specifications

• Line speed (typical): 100–200 m/min.
• Registration accuracy (inline): approximately ±0.1 mm.
• Anilox recommendations: 300–500 LPI for solids; 600–1000 LPI for fine halftones.
• Ink system: chambered doctor blade (enclosed ink chambers).
• Drying: hot-air and UV curing combinations available for high-speed runs.
• Inline options: rotary die-cutting, cold foiling, slitting, laminating.
• Material control: active web tension and guiding to prevent stretching and improve registration.
• Applications: labels, folding cartons, flexible packaging, specialty papers and narrow-web substrates.
• Cost note: horizontal inline setups can be ~25% less costly than equivalent CI arrangements while offering modular flexibility.