Anilox Rolls

A Full Range of Anilox Engraving and Sleeves

60° Hex

Scope / Best Working Environment

The 60° Hex engraving is best suited to:

Thinner and less viscous inks up to 24 seconds on Din 4 / 30 seconds Zhan 2.
Solvent based inks or coatings.
Minimal doctor blade pressure.

Note: Choosing the correct engraving is critical to the success of this standard engraving.

Best Market Sector – Solvent based flexible packaging.

Worst Market Sector – High viscous inks and coatings with large pigment particles.

Pros	Cons
Industry standard for many years	Can have inconsistent transfer from the same line screen and volume – shape/walls/depth.
Uniform angle	Has restricted print range. Large inventory needed to cover all aspects of designs.
Good dot support	Can contribute to ink spitting.
Universally available from all suppliers	Can have weak walls when extreme specifications are requested.
Maximum cells per square in/cm	Requires regular cleaning and maintenance. Requires more plate cleaning, especially on long runs.
Angle does not clash with YMCK plate angle.	Creates ink foaming in water-based inks and coatings by introducing air into the chambers.
	*Can create ghosting* effect**
	*Can create misting* on very high speeds**

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GTT

Scope / Best Working Environment

The GTT engraving is best suited to:

All markets. GTT is a universally exceptional Swiss Army Knife of an engraving.

Note: Understanding the engraving technology is critical to the success in selecting the correct GTT engraving.

Best Market Sector – Universal high-quality performance in all market environments. This technology is exceptional for ECG printing, UV inks, water-based inks, and added value lacquers.

Worst Market Sector – Old crowned rubber roller systems.

Pros	Cons
Fixed wall to depth pattern	Higher initial cost
Better print consistency	Operator understanding
Improved ink transfer	Sales messaging
Better solids	One global supplier
Less cleaning
No foaming since there is no air introduction into the chamber systems
Reduced anilox inventory
Reduced ink / coating costs
Most repeatable anilox in the market
ECG enabler

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45°

Scope / Best Working Environment

The 45° engraving is best suited to:

Course engravings typically lower than 150 l/cm / 60 lpi.
More common in chrome rollers rather than ceramic.
Generally, for basic corrugated or coating applications.

Best Market Sector – Rubber roll systems in corrugated.

Worst Market Sector – Not suitable for fine details and YMCK.

Pros	Cons
One of the original engravings	Can have inconsistent transfer from the same line screen and volume – shape/walls/depth
Uniform angle	Has restricted print range. Large inventory needed to cover all aspects of designs
Available in mechanically engraved or ceramic laser engraved	Can contribute to ink spitting.
Larger cell walls for structural support	Angle clashes with YMCK standard angles
Universally available from all suppliers	15% less cells compared to 60° or 30° engravings
	*Can create ghosting* effect**
	Not suitable for detailed printing
	Introduces air into the chamber systems

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Longcell

Scope / Best Working Environment

The Longcell engraving is best suited to:

Basic solids in corrugated, especially on uncoated poor-quality board.
Large solid print areas.

Note: This engraving was developed in 2001, however it was not accepted as an improvement of 60° by the industry. Following the GTT Technology enhancement, the Longcell was revisited by our competitors to try and compete with the emerging GTT patent. Various tricks and breaks in the wall construction of Longcell has created an engraving that increases the ink transfer and volume which assists cheaper / poor board quality.

Best Market Sector – Basic corrugated on low quality board

Worst Market Sector – High viscous inks and coatings with large pigment particles.

Pros	Cons
More volume available than 60°	Can have inconsistent transfer from the same line screen and volume – shape/walls/depth
Increased ink transfer for solid blocks	Has restricted print range. Large inventory needed to cover all aspects of designs
Universally available from all anilox suppliers	Can contribute to ink spitting
	Can have weak walls when extreme specifications are requested
	Requires regular cleaning and maintenance
	Creates ink foaming in water-based inks and coatings by introducing air into the chambers
	*Can create ghosting* effect**
	*Can create misting* on very high speeds**
	Can clash with plate screen angles
	No industry fixed angle. Even a 1° difference will increase the call opening top to bottom by up to 15 microns
	Can print dirty on fine text and edges

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Channellox

Scope / Best Working Environment

The Channellox engraving is best suited to:

Thick viscous inks and coatings such as UV.

Note: The Channellox was developed to break the walls running top to bottom to allow ink to flow more freely within the engraving.

Best Market Sector – Label, UV and water-based inks and coatings.

Worst Market Sector – Thinner inks such as solvent based and high-quality images and designs.

Pros	Cons
Helps to eliminate Ink spitting on viscous coatings	Can have inconsistent transfer from the same line screen and volume – shape/walls/depth
Helps to reduce foaming of the ink/coating during production	Can lose ink print density as press speed increases
Universally available from all anilox suppliers	Can be sensitive to press pressure settings for color strength
	Print dots are less supported
	Can print dirty on fine text and edges
	Transfer performance consistency can be variable

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Trihelical

Scope / Best Working Environment

The Trihelical engraving is best suited to:

Thick viscous inks and high-volume requirements.

Note: The Trihelical engraving was developed as a course engraving to create deep channels creating volume possibilities with a strong wall surface.

Best Market Sector – Coatings and large particle ink and liquids.

Worst Market Sector – Any form of image or design printing in flexo, label, or corrugated.

Pros	Cons
High volumes are possible	Can lose coat weight as press speed increases
Delivers maximum transfer to heavy and direct coatings	Can be sensitive to press pressure settings for coating weight
Universally available from all anilox suppliers	Transfer performance consistency can be variable
Good durability against doctor blades	Generally, engravings up to a maximum of 80 lpcm / 30 lpi
	Can create aeration in the coatings

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60° Bottoms Up

Scope / Best Working Environment

The 60° Bottoms Up engraving is best suited to:

Glue, starch, or silicon applications.

Note: The positive engraving is a raised engraving where the volume is created in the valleys between the engraved pins.

Best Market Sector – Silicone, glue, and direct coatings

Worst Market Sector – Any form of image or design printing in flexo, label, or corrugated

Pros	Cons
High volumes are possible	Can lose coat weight as press speed increases
Delivers maximum open volume areas across the surface	Can be sensitive to press pressure settings for coating weight
Universally available from all anilox suppliers	Weaker surface structure due to having pins instead of walls
	Generally, engravings up to a maximum of 60 lpcm / 23 lpi
	Can create ink splashing at high speeds

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45° Bottoms Up

Scope / Best Working Environment

The 45° Bottoms Up engraving is best suited to:

Thick viscous coatings such as glues and adhesive applications.
Silicone and cold seal applications.

Best Market Sector – Cold seal and silicone.

Worst Market Sector – Print and packaging with doctor blade chamber systems.

Pros	Cons
Very open engraving structure	Minimum surface contact points meaning a weaker structure
Good liquid transfer capabilities especially with thick and viscous coatings	Fast wear if used with doctor blade chamber
Less cleaning required	Fast wear if used with aggressive pigment inks
No foaming	Volume consistency has a higher tolerance
Minimum surface tension of anilox	Roll to roll repeatability has a bigger tolerance
	Ink or coating leaking if used with low viscosity inks