3M Flexo Symposium Discusses Efficiencies, Proper Processes

3M DuPont 1ST. PAUL, MN—Roughly 50 flexographers and industry members attended 3M’s Flexo Symposium on July 16, held at the company’s Innovation Center in St. Paul, MN.

Jamie Eggleston from 3M and Ellen Farrell from DuPont began with an overview of flexographic printing, showing how far the process has come since its inception.

Eggleston then went into a discussion of plate mounting tape and how it affects mounting, on press activities and demounting. That was followed by Farrell’s talk about various tools and tips to improve print performance, which touched on photopolymer plates, proper plate mounting and demounting, and the effect of other critical aspects like:

  • Trimming plates
  • Wrapping plates
  • Protecting polymer
  • Plate storage
  • Cleaning
  • Press sprays
  • Waxes

3M DuPont 23M’s Ann Michaud closed the event by discussing mounting tape optimization. She led with an examination of the different industry trends and how they affect print results:

  • Harder durometer plates
  • Increasing press speed
  • New plate technologies
  • High resolution imaging/hybrid screening
  • Flat top dot technology
  • Expanded Gamut printing

She juxtaposed sound plate mounting tape practices with each of these developments. By adhering to Flexographic Image Reproduction Specifications & Tolerances (FIRST) guidelines and choosing tape that is optimal to your unique situation, she said printers can optimize print quality and improve productivity.

Other speakers at the event included:

  • Jerry Vogler of 3M
  • Sherry Cunningham of DuPont Packaging Graphics
  • Jeff Aker of from Southern Graphic Systems, Inc.
  • Michael John of 3M