Purchasing vs. Pricing
Printers completing the FLEXO Magazine Flash Poll say they most commonly purchase their doctor blades direct from the manufacturer—63 percent abide by that practice. It is not, however, a sole source situation. Fifty-six percent frequently utilize distributors and 9 percent sometimes opt for other supply houses.
Prices paid are far ranging. Sample audience members most often specify a price range of $350 to $500 per 328-ft./100-m. Fifty-one percent of poll takers say that is common. Just over 34 percent frequently pay between $200 and $250 for that amount of blade material. At times, 12.2 percent pay $500 to $750. Slightly more than 2 percent sometimes are charged $750 to $1,000. Just over 7 percent sometimes find themselves paying $1,000 or more to meet tight specifications.
What Price Do You Pay for Doctor Blades?
Doctor blade flash poll participants did not hesitate to rank their primary concerns driving doctor blade buying decisions. First and foremost, at 51 percent is “wear and damage resistance properties.” Next, with 49 percent, comes quality—especially when it is demonstrated by personal experience. Finishing third, at 47 percent, “precise ink metering.” Price, obviously and always a major consideration, takes fourth position, with 42 percent seeing it as highly important.Rounding out the list of top 10 primary concerns to evaluate when buying doctor blades and the percentage of survey takers ranking it as important are:
- Adaptability to high speeds and long runs: 28 percent
- Reduction in end seal leakage: 25 percent
- Brand and reputation: 15 percent
- Technical support and training offered: 15 percent
- Ability to hold tight dimensional tolerances: 11 percent
- Elimination of back doctoring requirements: 6 percent
Expectations aside, doctor blades remain essential in flexographic print applications. Consumable by nature, technical advancements—coupled with adoption of standards, specifications and training programs—have extended and will likely continue to add to blade life. At press time, quality and performance are maintaining upward momentum. Continuous improvement is forecast.