Flexo vs Gravure for Plastic Bags: Which to Choose?

The core difference

The choice between flexographic and gravure printing for plastic bags fundamentally depends on production volume and design complexity. Gravure printing is engineered for long, high-color runs where consistency over massive quantities is critical. In contrast, flexographic printing is optimized for shorter runs and quicker changeovers, offering flexibility for varied packaging designs without the extensive setup times required by gravure. If your specific application requires technical details not covered in this overview, confirm with our engineers.

Flexo: YTL and YTB-A

The flexographic models address varying throughput and color requirements for plastic film. The YTL 41000 is a 4-color flexo press featuring a print width of up to 950 mm. It operates at speeds between 10 and 70 m/min, maintaining an overprint registration of ±0.25 mm. For higher color counts and increased speed, the YTB-A 61000 stack flexo provides 6 colors with the same 950 mm maximum width. This model runs at 10 to 120 m/min, depending on the material, and achieves a tighter ±0.2 mm registration. It also utilizes ceramic anilox rollers for precise ink transfer.

Gravure: ESAY-C 1350

For high-volume, complex packaging, the ESAY-C 1350 gravure press provides high-speed output. It supports 8 colors and handles a maximum web width of 1300 mm, accommodating cylinder lengths from 450 to 1350 mm. The machine achieves a printing speed of 150 m/min, with a maximum mechanical speed of 170 m/min. To ensure absolute precision on long runs, it features ±0.1 mm auto registration paired with video inspection.

Decision table and rule of thumb

The rule of thumb is straightforward: select gravure for long, high-color runs, and choose flexo for shorter runs requiring quicker changeovers. The following table summarizes the technical specifications to aid your decision.

Frequently asked questions