In the packaging and labeling industry, flexographic (flexo) printing is a cornerstone technology, prized for its versatility, speed, and adaptability to various substrates. A flexo label printing machine uses flexible relief plates to transfer ink onto a wide range of materials—such as paper, plastic, and foil—producing high-quality, durable labels. Unlike offset or digital printing, flexo excels in high-volume runs while maintaining consistent quality, making it a top choice for the food & beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.
At its heart, a flexo label printer operates on a "relief printing" mechanism, where the image to be printed is raised on a flexible plate (typically made of photopolymer resin). The machine’s core components work in tandem to ensure smooth ink transfer and precise label output:
Printing Plates: Flexible, lightweight plates that hold the label design (text, logos, graphics) in raised form. They adhere to cylindrical plate rollers.
Anilox Rollers: Precision-engineered rollers with tiny, evenly spaced cells that meter and transfer a controlled amount of ink to the printing plates (prevents ink smudges or uneven coverage).
Impression Rollers: Rubberized rollers that apply pressure to the substrate (label material), pressing it against the inked printing plate to transfer the image.
Drying/Curing Systems: Critical for fast production—uses hot air (for water-based inks) or UV lamps (for UV-curable inks) to dry the ink instantly, avoiding smearing as the substrate moves through the machine.
Substrate Handling System: Feeds, tensions, and guides the label material (rolled into webs) through the machine without wrinkles or misalignment.
What sets flexo label printers apart is their adaptability: they can print on non-porous substrates (e.g., BOPP, PET, or metallic films) and porous ones (e.g., kraft paper) alike, and integrate seamlessly with post-press processes (like die-cutting or laminating) for end-to-end label production.
There are a variety of machine configurations for flexographic printing, each suited to different job types, substrates, and production environments. Here are common types:
Horizontal Label Flexo Printing Machine: double servo motors for each printing station, with high precision of registration. Be suitable for films, stickers, papers.
Max mechanical speed: 200m/min
Max Printing width: 450mm
Max.unwind diameter: 1050mm
Materials: paper, film, stickers
Max.web width: 460mm
UV Label Flexo Printing Machine adopts the latest servo control system, each unit is driven by one servo motor which ensure the accurate registration during high speed running.
Max.mechanical speed: 150m/min
Max. Printing width: 520mm
Max. unwind diameter: 1050mm
Overprint control: Servo driven
Colors: 8 colors
Color Register Precision: ±0.1mm
Automatic Label Flexo Printing Machine adopts a single servo main drive system, equipped with 8 independent color group units, and equipped with Yaskawa control system to achieve high-precision printing process control. It is suitable for glassine substrates with films (BOPP/PET/PE), self-adhesive labels, and paper materials, and can meet the color printing needs in the fields of daily chemical labels, food packaging, and pharmaceutical labels.
Max.printing speed: 150m/min
Max.printing width: 340mm
Max.Unwind Diameter: 1050mm
Max.die cutting speed: 100m/min
8 Colors Printing
Printing Precision: ±0.1mm
Here is a generic overview of how a label job is printed on a flexo label printing machine:
Artwork is prepared, colour separations done, screening for halftones, etc.
Plates are created (often photopolymer) with the raised image areas.
Anilox rollers (engraved with cells) are selected with appropriate cell volume and line screen for the ink and substrate.
The substrate (label stock, film, foil) is loaded on the unwind unit.
Tension control, web guiding (edge control) ensure stable feed.
If substrate is film or foil with low surface energy, surface treatment (like corona) may be applied to improve ink adhesion.
Each printing station corresponds to a colour (or varnish, overprint) and includes:
Ink fountain → anilox roller → plate cylinder → impression cylinder/web contact.
The ink is transferred from the anilox to the plate (via doctor blade or chambered blade), then from the plate to the substrate.
After each station (especially for multiple colours), drying or curing is required before the next colour to avoid smearing.
If water-based or solvent-based inks are used: hot air, IR drying.
If UV-curable inks are used: UV or LED-UV curing.
Proper drying is critical for print stability, registration, and downstream conversion (die-cutting, slitting).
After or integrated within the printing process: die-cutting, matrix removal, waste liner rewinding, label rewinding.
For roll-labels, the rewound rolls are ready for application on packaging lines.
The printed, finished label stock is rewound on a roll (or cut into sheets as applicable) and then delivered for use.
Quality checks: colour consistency, registration, substrate integrity, rewind tension, defect inspection.
Versatility in substrates: paper, film, foil, non-wovens.
Good print quality at speed and for medium to large runs.
Ability to integrate finishing (die-cutting, laminating) inline, reducing steps.
Cost-effective compared to some other methods for labels/flexible packaging.
Modern machines have high automation, quick changeovers (especially gearless/servo types).
Setup and pre-press (plate making, colour separations, registration) require expertise.
Web handling (tension, guiding) is critical—especially thin films.
For very short runs, digital printing may be more cost-effective; flexo is more efficient at moderate-to-high volumes.
Maintenance of anilox rollers, plates, drying systems, etc is important for consistent quality.
Material selection (substrate, inks) must be compatible with flexo process (surface energy, ink adhesion, curing).
Labels are a prime use-case for flexo printing machines, which is why we talk of flexo label printing machines. Typical applications include:
Self-adhesive product labels (food & beverage, cosmetics, household goods)
Wrap-around labels (bottles, jars)
Laminated labels (foil, film)
Flexible packaging labels such as pouches, sachets.
Variable data labels (with additional modules)
For example, one manufacturer highlights that their “flexo label printing machine” is designed to print vibrant, high-definition prints on films, foils, papers, and offers quick job changeover and minimal downtime.
The flexo label printing machine is a key piece of equipment in the label-printing and flexible-packaging industry. Understanding the different machine types and the full print process—from pre-press to finishing—enables users to select the right machine for their production needs.
If your business is looking to print labels (or packaging) and you’re evaluating equipment, you’ll want to consider: substrate types, run lengths, number of colours, finishing requirements, changeover speed, and budget. The flexo label press remains one of the most versatile options for such production.
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