To do proper gravure cylinder engraving, there are things that you need to get right. Of course, you need to start with understanding the kind of printing you want to do and what is needed to produce the expected image.
In this guide, we are going to look at 5 major things you need to take into consideration for proper gravure cylinder engraving. These are tips that have been tried and found to produce excellent results. Check out the following:
Choice of Machine
The choice of the laser engraving machine is one of the crucial things that you need to consider. There are so many machines in the market, but you need to get one that matches your needs. The first thing you need to check is the gravure printing needs, and this includes the type and the size of the cylinder. You need a machine that can accommodate the cylinder size and the weight. In the same case, the laser engraving machine should produce the required output for the expected results. Check out laserengravingmanufacturers for some of the best laser engraving machines in the industry.
Etching Depth
The other thing that you need to consider for proper gravure cylinder engraving is the etching depth. What size of the etching is needed to produce the expected results. This is something you need to consider seriously. The size of the etching is dependent on a number of factors, including the strength of the engraving beam.
Choice of Engraving Material
Note that the gravure cylinder is not literally engraved, but a top layer is added for engraving purposes. The layer could be anything from rubber materials. But if you are looking for quality engraving, copper and zinc materials are the most used. They are added using the process of electrolysis, which may be an additional expense. So, choose the engraving material carefully.
Image Complexity
The image complexity is an issue that could affect the quality of the engraved cylinders. You need to study the engraving task before you can start working on it. Otherwise, you might get stuck in the middle. Understand what’s needed and if you can provide the expected results.
The Protection Layer
Once the gravure cylinder engraving is done, how do you protect the image? There are man protection layers that are used, but the chrome layer works the best. It will increase the lifespan of the engraved image.
