Rako

Customer: Rako

The gradations are printed cleaner and go down to zero, there are no more problems with hard edges, and even representing the smallest tonal values to one percent.

The Challenge:

Fulfill orders that previously were only possible in offset.

Orders which configured much faster and more cost effectively.

The Solution:

HD Flexo Certified

The Benefits:

The gradations are printed cleaner and go down to zero, there are no more problems with hard edges, and even representing the smallest tonal values to one percent

HD Flexo certification for RAKO Etiketten

EskoArtwork has issued RAKO Etiketten GmbH & Co. KG with the 'HD Flexo Certified' quality label. The certification acknowledges that the Witzhave-based company has significantly enhanced the quality of its output using EskoArtwork’s HD Flexo technology. Printers only achieve certification after demonstrating that they can deliver outstanding HD Flexo print assignments, which are analysed and assessed by EskoArtwork.

“Being HD Flexo Certified strengthens our market presence and distinguishes us from the competition,” says Stefan Behrens, head of pre-print at RAKO Etiketten. “The certification is a great marketing asset – it gives our customers and prospects even more confidence, and will help us win business.”

RAKO Etiketten is a highly respected label manufacturer. The company attributes its market-leading position to its adoption of the latest technical developments, and has clearly benefitted since switching to HD Flexo technology. Recently, RAKO Etiketten received for the 2^nd time the DuPont Grand Prix Cyrel^® Award in the Tag & Label category. This year, the company won by a significant margin for its top-quality print job for a chain of pharmacies, which it executed using HD Flexo.

With HD Flexo, RAKO Etiketten can fulfil orders that previously were only possible in offset. In particular, the company is enjoying significant benefits from small flexo print orders, which are configured much faster and more cost effectively. “The HD Flexo technology has improved the quality of the dot on the plate,” says Behrens.

"The improved dot shape brings with it a series of changes. "The gradations are printed cleaner and go down to zero, there are no more problems with hard edges, and even representing the smallest tonal values to one percent is now possible in flexo printing, ” explains Behrens. Moreover, contrast in the entire tonal range has increased with HD Flexo printing. Behrens is impressed by the higher print run stability in the smallest half-tone dot size. There is a smooth half-tone transition through the highlights down to ‘zero’, as well as a sharp contrast between the highlights and shadows without visible, hard edges.

RAKO Etiketten produces most of its HD Flexo orders for exclusive cosmetic and non-food branded goods. The technology has had a particularly impressive impact on images displaying faces, skin tones and pictures that highlight colour differentiations eg in hair dye products and decorative cosmetics.