What's The Difference Between CI Type Flexographic Printing Machine And Ordinary Flexographic Printing Machine? Why Are The 6-color Configuration More Popular?

With the expanding market of napkins, Kleenex, Kitchen Paper, Towels, etc., consumers and brand customers have put forward higher requirements for product appearance, printing quality, personalized design, etc. From bespoke hotel napkins to restaurant chain brand promotion to high-quality packaging for export markets, multicolor, high-precision printing has become an important trend in industry.
Flexographic printing as one of the most widely used printing techniques in the household paper industry has also undergone technological upgrading from ordinary flexographic printing machines to central embossed flexo printing press. Among them, the 6-color CI flexographic printing machine has become the mainstream choice of modern household paper production enterprise because of its high overlay accuracy, rich color expression and stable high-speed production performance.
So what's the difference between CI type flexographic printing machines and a ordinary flexographic printing machines? Why are more and more companies opting for a 6-color configurations? This paper will analyze the equipment structure, printing quality, production efficiency, market demand and so on.
What is a regular flexographic printing machine?
Ordinary flexographic printing machines usually adopts a separate embossing structure.
Each printing color group has an independent embossing cylinder, and the paper needs to pass through multiple printing units in turn to complete the different colors.
The process usually includes:
Pinnacle;
First color printing
Second color printing
Third color printing
Dry;
Put the papers away
This structure applies to:
Monochrome printing
Simple two-tone pattern
Plain packaging printing
Low to medium speed production
Although the equipment cost is relatively low, when the printing color increases, the paper after passing through multiple cylinders, is easily affected by tension changes and material stretching, thus reducing the printing accuracy.
What is a CI type flexographic printing machine?
CI (Central Impression) stands for Central Impression Structure.
Unlike a ordinary flexographic printing machines, CI device uses a large central impression cylinder, around which all the color groups are arranged.
Throughout the printing process, the paper is always attached to the surface of the central drum to complete all color printing.
Its main features include:
Central embossed roller;
Multiple printing groups work in sync;
Complete multicolor printing at once;
Keep printing stable at high speed.
Since paper does not often detach from the surface between different color groups, it can significantly improve the stability and color consistency of printing.
What's the difference between CI type flexographic printing machine and ordinary flexographic printing machine?
1. Different imprinting structures
The biggest difference between the two devices is the embossing.
Ordinary flexographic printing machine
Each color group uses a separate embossed cylinder.
Paper needs to be changed several times.
CI Flexible Print Press
All color groups share a central impression cylinder.
Paper is always maintained in a fixed position to complete all color printing.
Therefore, CI structure can effectively reduce the displacement of paper and improve printing stability.
2. Different printing accuracy
Overlay accuracy is an important index to measure the performance of flexible printing equipment.
Ordinary flexographic printing machines is susceptible to the following factors during high-speed operation:
Tension variation;
The expansion and contraction of the material;
Rolling error;
Changes in ambient temperature and humidity.
These factors may lead to:
Pattern misalignment;
Color ghosting;
The edges of the logo blurred.
The CI type flexographic printing machine maintains high overlay accuracy because the paper is always attached to the central roller.
This is especially important for complex patterns and multicolored printing.
3. Different printing speeds
Ordinary flexographic printing machines is generally suitable for low and mediumspeed production.
With the increasing speed, the stability of the paper will also be affected.
The CI type flexographic printing machine is optimized for high speed production.
By:
Constant tension control;
Central imprint structure;
High precision servo drive;
The equipment can run continuously at high speed under the condition of guaranteeing printing quality.
For large napkin producers, high-speed production means higher production capacity and shorter delivery cycles.
4. Different color expression abilities
The common printing methods used in common flexo presses are:
monochrome;
Two colors;
Four-color configuration.
Although it can meet general product requirements, but the color hierarchy is relatively limited, complex design and colorful brand patterns.
CI type flexographic printing machines generally support:
Four colors;
hexagram;
Eight colours;
Available in more than a dozen colors.
The more colors, the richer the pattern representation.
In particular, it applies to:
Brand identity;
Color illustrations;
Gradient effect;
High-definition images;
The advantages of CI devices are obvious.
V. Different degrees of automation
Intelligent control system is widely used in Modern CI type flexographic printing machines.
Usually equipped with:
Automatic unwinding;
Automatic tension control;
Automatic overprinting;
Automatic ink supply;
auto-curl;
Online testing.
By contrast, the level of automation of ordinary flexographic printing machines is relatively low and requires more manual adjustment.
Therefore, CI equipment can reduce labor costs and improve productivity.
Why are 6-color configurations becoming more popular?
1. To meet the customization needs of the brand.
A growing number of businesses are looking to use napkins to showcase their brands.
For example:
Hotel Logo;
Catering brands
Corporate advertising;
Festival-themed designs.
These designs often contain rich colors.
The 6-color configuration improves brand presentation by completing complex pattern printing in one go.
2. Increasing product value added
Consumers are increasingly concerned about the appearance of products.
Colorful and beautifully patterned napkins can:
Improving product quality;
Improve brand recognition;
Improving market competitiveness.
Therefore, high quality printing has gradually become an important competitive advantage for enterprises.
3. Better gradient and detail representation
While four-colour printing meets most requirements, it is not suitable for:
Large scale gradient;
Highly saturated colours;
Fine patterns;
Special brand colours;
The 6-color configuration performed better.
Additional colors can be:
Reduce color errors;
Improve color reproduction;
Improve visual effects.
4. Reduce multiple printing costs
If you don't have enough colour, some products require to:
Multiple printing;
Secondary overprinting;
Manual adjustment.
Not only does it increase production time, it is also fallible.
The 6-color CI flexographic printing machine can print all colors at once.
Advantages include:
Shortening production cycle;
Reduce waste rates;
Productivity improvement.
V. Meeting the demands of export market
International markets such as Europe and the United States have more stringent requirements for household paper products.
High-quality, multicolored printing better satisfies:
Supermarket chains;
Hotel Group;
International catering brands;
For export enterprises, the use of a 6-color CI flexographic printing machine is more conducive to entering the high-end market.
6. Better suited for intelligent production.
Modern 6-color CI flexographic printing machines typically include:
PLC intelligent control;
Automatic overprinting system;
Online quality inspection;
Data management systems;
Quick Switch.
These intelligent technologies not only improve production efficiency, but also make more stable and traceable production management.
How to choose CI or ordinary flexographic printing machine?
Businesses can choose according to their needs:
Ordinary flexographic printing machines is suitable for:
Small batch production;
Simple graphic printing;
New factories with limited budgets;
Monochrome or duochrome products.
The 6-color CI flexographic printing machine is suitable for:
Mass continuous production;
Brand customization orders;
Quality napkin printing;
Production of export products;
We will speed up the conversion of multiple varieties to production.
With the intensification of market competition, more and more enterprises are upgrading from ordinary flexographic printing equipment to CI equipment in order to improve production efficiency and value added of products.
Conclusion:
The biggest differences between CI type flexographic printing machine and ordinary flexographic printing machine lie the central embossing structure, overlay accuracy, production speed, automation level and multicolor printing capability. CI structure ensures the stability of the paper throughout the printing process by means of a large central impression cylinder, which greatly improves the quality of multicolor overlay printing and the stability of high-speed operation.
At the same time, the six-color configuration, with its rich color performance, high brand reduction, low scrap rate and strong market adaptability, has become a mainstream choice in napkin printing industry. For enterprises wishing to improve product quality, meet brand customization needs, expand high-end market and realize intelligent production, investing in 6-color CI flexographic printing machines can not only improve production efficiency, but also enhance the long-term competitive advantage of enterprises.