Flexible Hybrid Screening Solutions for Flexography

This study investigates the use of AM/FM hybrid screening in conjunction with computer to plate (CTP) technology in order to obtain an optimum hybrid screening combination for the flexography printing process. The study employs the true experimental method to design 11 different hybrid (FM-AM-FM) screening combinations in accordance with one of the few flexible hybrid screening technology. Hybrid screening and CTP technologies were used in flexography to print a specially-designed test form on PVC substrate. Differences in print attributes between PVC substrates printed via the 11 hybrid screening combinations were measured, and statistical analyses were used to identify a combination with an optimal FM-AM-FM tone percentage. It is hoped that the results of this study can help flexography printers to better understand the characteristics of various screening techniques, allowing them to improve printing quality and achieve the highest customer satisfaction. The best hybrid screening combination of FM-AM-FM (highlight-midtone-shadow) found in this study is provided to printers as a reference enabling them to improve production effectiveness and quality, while reducing printing costs and waste, enabling the quality of flexography in Taiwan to progress.