LibGuides: Printing -- Flexography Topic Hub: Operations

Flexographic Printing Operations

This section describes the working process of printing and specifically that of flexographic printing. Input/Output process diagrams are provided. Tables provide typical material inputs and waste outputs based on the production process and individual departments commonly found in a flexographic printing operation.

PREPRESS - Imaging Process

	Inputs		Waste Outputs
	Film		Exposed film, waste and out-of-date film
	Paper		Scrap paper
	Markers and Sprays		Air vapors and odors
	Film Developer		Spent film developer
	Film Developing Fixer		Spent film developing fixer and the silver from the film
	Wash Water		Used rinse water containing film developer & fixer
	Shop towels and other wipers		Rags containing solvents, waste paper from disposable towels
	Cleaning Solutions		Waste solvents, air vapors, and odors
	Chemical Storage		Empty chemical containers, full containers with the potential to spill

PREPRESS - Platemaking Process

	Inputs		Waste Outputs
	Rubber, Neoprene, Nitrile, Buna-n Plates		Damaged or unusable plates, waste trim materials, paper and plastic waste, waste silver halides from silver master plates
	Water		Contaminated process wash water
	Plate Processing Solvent or Water		Waste plate processing (washout) solvent or water

PRODUCTION - Printing Process

	Inputs		Waste Outputs
	Ink		Waste ink, hazardous waste, non-hazardous special waste (some states), air emissions
	Water		Waste water used in cleaning, thinning inks (water based only)
	Paper		Off-quality specification printed material, trim scrap and make-ready waste paper
	Plates		Outdated or exhausted impression plates
	Solvents		Waste and dirty solvents, hazardous waste, non-hazardous special waste (some states), air emissions
	Shop Towels		Rags containing inks, solvent, oils and grease, waste paper from disposable towels. Hazardous solid waste, non-hazardous special waste (some states)

FINISHING - Post Press Operations

	Inputs		Waste Outputs
	Paper		Reject prints and trim scrap
	Adhesives/Glue		Overspill and emissions
	Shipping Boxes		Used boxes, shipping materials
	Shop Towels		Rags containing inks, solvent, oils and grease, waste paper from disposable towels, hazardous solid waste, non-hazardous special waste (some states)
	Water		Waste wash water containing adhesives and solvents, hazardous liquid waste, non-hazardous special waste (some states), non-hazardous process waste
	Solvents		Waste and dirty solvents, hazardous waste, non-hazardous special waste (some states), air emissions

Essential Links

The Flexographic Printing Process
The Graphic Arts Technical Foundation and the Foundation of the Flexographic Technical Association present The Flexographic Printing Process. This audiovisual is intended to introduce the viewer to the printing process of flexography and to provide an overview of the versatile flexographic printing industry.
Flexography 101: An Introduction to Flexography Online Course
This online, interactive course will give you a solid overview into the commonly used, market share-leading printing process called flexography. Ideal for beginners or those wanting a refresher, this 30-to-40-minute course provides an in-depth examination into the print process, what it is, how it works and the components behind this successful industry. At the completion, you will have a solid grasp of the fundamentals of flexography. There is a fee for this course.

Handbook of Print Media by Helmut Kipphan (Editor)
ISBN: 9783642631429
Publication Date: 2014-08-23
Written by an expert in the field, the Handbook is unique in covering the entire spectrum of modern print media production. The author covers both traditional as well as computer-aided technologies in all stages of production, as well as electronic media and multimedia. He also deals with training, research, strategies and trends, showing readers how to implement the latest methods.