[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”3″ ][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h2″ accent=”false”]Expanded Color Gamut (ECG) Printing for Flexo[/x_custom_headline][/cs_element_layout_column][cs_element_layout_column _id=”5″ ][x_feature_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ icon=”o-question”]What is ECG printing?[/x_feature_headline][cs_text _bp_base=”4_4″]

Expanded Color Gamut printing (ECG) is the practice of using a set of 4 or more inks (typically 7): Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CMYK) plus Orange, Green, and Violet (OGV) to achieve a larger color gamut than that of CMYK. It is also used as a solution to replace spot colors.

[/cs_text][cs_element_button _id=”8″ ][cs_content_seo]REQUEST INFORMATION\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][cs_element_section _id=”9″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”10″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”11″ ][x_image type=”none” src=”6293:full” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][cs_text _bp_base=”4_4″]

CMYK
Process Color Printing

[/cs_text][/cs_element_layout_column][cs_element_layout_column _id=”14″ ][x_image type=”none” src=”6294:full” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][cs_text _bp_base=”4_4″]

CMYKOGV
Expanded Color Gamut (ECG)

[/cs_text][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][cs_element_layout_row _id=”17″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”18″ ][x_image type=”none” src=”6285:full” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][cs_text _bp_base=”4_4″]

CMYK
Process Color Printing

[/cs_text][/cs_element_layout_column][cs_element_layout_column _id=”21″ ][x_image type=”none” src=”6286:full” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][cs_text _bp_base=”4_4″]

CMYKOGV
Expanded Color Gamut (ECG)

[/cs_text][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][cs_element_section _id=”24″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”25″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”26″ ][x_line style=”border-top-width: 1px;width: 100%;”][cs_element_quote _id=”28″ ][cs_content_seo]The outstanding ECG results produced by Bellissima increased the pressroom’s utilization while reducing materials, ink, and waste\n\nCatapult Print Signs Multi-Year Contract Renewal for Bellissima\n\n[/cs_content_seo][x_line style=”border-top-width: 1px;width: 100%;”][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][cs_element_layout_row _id=”30″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”31″ ][x_feature_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ icon=”lightbulb-o”]Benefits of ECG[/x_feature_headline][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][cs_element_layout_row _id=”33″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”34″ ][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h4″ accent=”false”]For Printers[/x_custom_headline][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][cs_element_layout_row _id=”36″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”37″ ][x_feature_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h5″ icon=”lightbulb-o”]Reduced
press downtime[/x_feature_headline][x_image type=”none” src=”6262:full” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][cs_text _bp_base=”4_4″]By moving to ECG, you can reduce the number of press wash-ups and plate changes during production.
[/cs_text][/cs_element_layout_column][cs_element_layout_column _id=”41″ ][x_feature_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h5″ icon=”lightbulb-o”]Increased
press utilization[/x_feature_headline][x_image type=”none” src=”6236:full” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][cs_text _bp_base=”4_4″]Make-ready time is much faster and you can composite or ‘gang’ multiple jobs on the press.[/cs_text][/cs_element_layout_column][cs_element_layout_column _id=”45″ ][x_feature_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h5″ icon=”lightbulb-o”]Reduced
costs[/x_feature_headline][x_image type=”none” src=”6264:full” alt=”Reduce flexo costs with ECG” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][cs_text _bp_base=”4_4″]You reduce the amount of ink used in the printing process and as there are fewer press wash-ups, you reduce the amount of solvents used.[/cs_text][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][cs_element_layout_row _id=”49″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”50″ ][x_line style=”border-top-width: 1px;width: 100%;”][cs_element_quote _id=”52″ ][cs_content_seo]The converter has reduced the time on press by one hour per job due to faster make-ready times and removed the waste caused by misregistration. The printer has quantified this to be a 30% reduction in costs per job.\n\nFlexographic Solutions S.L. (FGS), Spain\n\n[/cs_content_seo][x_line style=”border-top-width: 1px;width: 100%;”][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][cs_element_layout_row _id=”54″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”55″ ][cs_element_button _id=”56″ ][cs_content_seo]REQUEST INFORMATION\n\n[/cs_content_seo][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h4″ accent=”false”]For Brands[/x_custom_headline][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][cs_element_layout_row _id=”58″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”59″ ][x_feature_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h5″ icon=”lightbulb-o”]Environmental
sustainability[/x_feature_headline][x_image type=”none” src=”6266:full” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][cs_text _bp_base=”4_4″]As an environmentally responsible brand owner, using an ECG printing process is the most effective and least damaging printing process for the planet.[/cs_text][/cs_element_layout_column][cs_element_layout_column _id=”63″ ][x_feature_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h5″ icon=”lightbulb-o”]Better, brighter,
and bolder[/x_feature_headline][x_image type=”none” src=”6242:full” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][cs_text _bp_base=”4_4″]The color gamut is expanded and a wider choice of designs allows you to experiment with your packaging creativity. Using a standard set of ECG inks, global repeatable color is achieved.[/cs_text][/cs_element_layout_column][cs_element_layout_column _id=”67″ ][x_feature_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h5″ icon=”lightbulb-o”]Faster speed
to market[/x_feature_headline][x_image type=”none” src=”6244:full” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][cs_text _bp_base=”4_4″]As more printers adopt ECG, these 7 inks will form the basis of their stock room shelves. They will be ready to print your packaging and label designs without delay.[/cs_text][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][cs_element_layout_row _id=”71″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”72″ ][cs_element_quote _id=”73″ ][cs_content_seo]The reduced use of solvents is good for the environment and another cost saving for the business\n\nEnvaflex, Flexible Packaging Printer, Spain\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”74″ ][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][cs_element_layout_row _id=”75″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”76″ ][cs_element_video _id=”77″ ][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][cs_element_section _id=”78″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”79″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”80″ ][x_feature_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ icon=”lightbulb-o”]Bellissima DMS as an ECG Solution[/x_feature_headline][cs_text _bp_base=”4_4″]Bellissima Digitally Modulated Screening (DMS) is a catalyst for change in the flexographic printing industry; changing the expectations a printer can have related to the print reproduction quality they can achieve, the restrictions caused by problems with moiré, misregistration, rosette drift, color shifts, banding, dot gain, dot loss, shadow loss, etc. DMS removes the critical barriers to success with fixed palette and conventional printing.[/cs_text][cs_element_quote _id=”83″ ][cs_content_seo]Using ECG alongside Bellissima, we achieve constant print speeds and superior HD quality throughout the entire print run while keeping make-ready time and waste to a minimum\n\nPetropack, Flexible Packaging Printer, Argentina\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_text _bp_base=”4_4″]

The path to lowest cost, best quality flexo

[/cs_text][x_image type=”none” src=”6212:full” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][cs_element_layout_row _id=”86″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”87″ ][x_line style=”border-top-width: 1px;width: 100%;”][x_line style=”border-top-width: 1px;width: 100%;”][cs_element_quote _id=”90″ ][cs_content_seo]We’re converting more jobs to expanded gamut; this is helping customers reduce job setup times and waste – a typical example of this is from 2 hours, down to 20 minutes.\n\nFotograbados Lynch, Argentina\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][cs_element_layout_row _id=”91″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”92″ ][x_image type=”none” src=”6260:full” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h5″ accent=”false”]Current Flexo[/x_custom_headline][cs_text _bp_base=”4_4″]

Conventional AM-based screening is the current standard of screening used for flexographic printing, however, it has its limitations and challenges in an ECG environment:

• To print high lpi AM screens, printers typically have to reduce the running speed of the printing press in order to print the high-fidelity. This lengthens the time that a job will run on press and reduces its productivity to produce sellable output.
• To register 4 colors can be challenging, and when misregistration occurs on the press, color shifts which cause waste. Moving to an ECG environment with AM-based screening increases registration problems; as you have up to 7 colors to register, the chance of waste from misregistration increase.

[/cs_text][/cs_element_layout_column][cs_element_layout_column _id=”96″ ][x_image type=”none” src=”6259:full” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h5″ accent=”false”]Stage 1: Bellissima CMYK[/x_custom_headline][cs_text _bp_base=”4_4″]

Moving to a Bellissima DM Screen for flexo, a printer immediately benefits from increased printed image fidelity and is able to match, and in some cases exceed, the quality of jobs printed offset and gravure.

Unlike an AM screen, Bellissima doesn’t have screen angles, instead, its patented stochastic rosette interleaves the screens in the separations to eliminate noise and moiré. In addition, the stochastic rosette maximizes the ink-on-paper area and minimizes the amount of ink-on-ink to expand the available color gamut while eliminating color shifts due to misregistration.

As a result, you get a reduction of ink and waste and achieve stable, repeatable color over the print run.

[/cs_text][/cs_element_layout_column][cs_element_layout_column _id=”100″ ][x_image type=”none” src=”6258:full” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h5″ accent=”false”]Stage 2: Bellissima ECG[/x_custom_headline][cs_text _bp_base=”4_4″]

A flexo printer can achieve further cost reductions and benefits by adopting Expanded Color Gamut printing with Bellissima DMS.

A printer will reduce the amount of labour and resource requirements needed to wash up the press by using ECG. The press capacity and utilization of the machine is optimized by combining or ‘ganging’ multiple jobs.

Less waste is reported due to color shifts, and further cost savings are made by reducing the amount of ink and solvents used in the process.

Bellissima ECG enables a flexo printer to increase its sustainability credentials and increases its press capacity by +40%.

[/cs_text][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][cs_element_layout_row _id=”104″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”105″ ][x_line style=”border-top-width: 1px;width: 100%;”][cs_element_quote _id=”107″ ][cs_content_seo]We reduced the number of spot colors in prepress and printing and achieved excellent results using standard CMYK inks and CMYK + OGV across a range of substrates.\n\nEnvaflex, Flexible Packaging Printer, Spain\n\n[/cs_content_seo][x_line style=”border-top-width: 1px;width: 100%;”][cs_element_button _id=”109″ ][cs_content_seo]REQUEST INFORMATION\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”110″ ][cs_element_button _id=”111″ ][cs_content_seo]Removing a key barrier to ‘fixed palette’ print success\n\nClick here to read the article\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][/cs_content]