Color Strength too low problem in flexo printing

What is the color strength too low problem in flexo printing ?

Too low color strength is a common issue with flexo printing. The problem is usually caused by a lack of colorant ink formulation. 

This can result from several factors, including incorrect pigmentation or inadequate dispersion of the colorants in ink.

In most cases, mild to moderate variations in color strength will not cause any noticeable issues with printing accuracy or quality. 

However, if the strength is too low, it can lead to print jobs that are either faint or streaky. Additionally, low-strength prints can also suffer from more pronounced colors and inconsistencies across different parts of the print job.

To minimize the chances of encountering this issue, it’s essential to use a quality flexo ink formulation with enough colorant to achieve the desired strength. 

Additionally, it’s essential to make sure that all components of the print job are correctly calibrated and optimized for flexo printing. Otherwise, poor color strength may be the result.

Printing cylinders

The print cylinders need to be cleaned. This is a simple fix every machine operator should notice on it.

Ink supply

The ink supply might be low. Check the ink levels and refill ink containers.

Check machine setting

Printing machine settings might be incorrect. Check the machine settings and adjust as necessary.

How come to know that the color strength is too low 

To check if your colors are too low, print a sufficient length of material and compare it to a printed page from a high-color strength printer.

The colors should be very vibrant on the test page and much less vibrant on the printed page from a low-color strength printer.

When you print with a flexo printer, the dots used to create an image on paper are created by a very fine metal rod that moves back and forth across the paper. The dot size is controlled by the size of the nozzles that direct the metal rod. 

The smaller the nozzles, the finer the dots that are printed. And since flexo printers use toners that contain a lower concentration of color than traditional printers,

 It’s essential to make sure that your flexo printer’s dot strength is set correctly to get accurate prints. If your dot strength is too low, you’ll have blurry images and inconsistency in color.

If you are printing with inks with low color strength, the colors may not be as bright as they should. This is because the ink doesn’t have the strength to hold on to the pigment particles in the paper.

How to improve color strength :

● Check your ink levels and make sure they are full.

● Adjust the anilox roll to the proper position.

● Analyse the print quality of your substrate.

● Make sure the impression cylinder is clean and free of debris.

● Inspect the doctor’s blade for any nicks or damage.

● Ensure that the anilox roll is properly cleaned and maintained

When printing with too low color strength, the colors can be washed out and reduce print quality. To improve color strength, a few things can be done.

● Use a higher quality paper. Higher-quality papers have a greater color strength and will not wash out as quickly.

● .Increase the ink coverage. Increasing the amount of ink applied to the paper will make the colors more vibrant, and the print will have a stronger appearance.

● Use different color inks. Using different colors of inks will help counteract any problems with color strength.

Conclusion

There are a few things you can do to fix the problem. First, check your ink film thickness. If it’s too thin, increase the ink you’re using. Second, check your anilox roll for debris or clogging. Cleaning or replacing the roll should solve the problem. 

Finally, if all else fails, try increasing the viscosity of your ink. By following these steps, you should be able to get your flexo prints looking great again in no time!

This article is the part of Problems and solutions in flexo printing series

You can read the title article here – Flexo Printing Problems and Solutions

Read next about Ghosting Effect in Flexo Printing.