How to select an anilox roller

When selecting an anilox roller, it is necessary to consider a combination of factors, including the required print quality and detail, the substrate material, compatibility with the printing plate, the type of ink or coating, and overall cost considerations.

Select the anilox line screen according to the required print detail and image resolution.

If two solid colors are overprinted, or if the solid printing area is relatively small, an anilox roller with a higher line screen can be selected. For text and line artwork, the appropriate anilox roller should be chosen according to the size of the text and the fineness of the lines. For color halftone printing, the anilox line screen should be determined based on the screen ruling of the printed image.

Select the anilox line screen according to the substrate and printing requirements

In label printing, commonly used substrates include paper and film. Paper substrates include corrugated board, coated paper, and self-adhesive paper, while film substrates include Polyethylene (PE) and Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP).

Different substrates have different ink absorption characteristics. Paper generally has a high ink absorbency, and ink drying mainly relies on absorption into the paper. Films, on the other hand, are non-absorbent, so ink drying depends primarily on solvent evaporation or curing.

Therefore, the anilox roller should be selected according to the absorbency of the substrate. Highly absorbent materials typically require lower line screens with larger cell volumes, while non-absorbent materials usually require higher line screens with lower cell volumes to achieve precise ink transfer and faster drying.

Select the anilox cell geometry according to the ink or coating type

For high-viscosity inks and coating liquids, it is recommended to use a more open cell geometry whenever possible. Open cell structures allow the ink or coating to release more easily during transfer to the substrate, resulting in better flow and leveling performance and ensuring a more uniform printed or coated surface.

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