With label converters on a quest for the highest quality and the greatest efficiency, L&NW sat down with Stuart Grimshaw, account manager at Anderson & Vreeland, to learn how converters can optimize their flexo label production.

L&NW: What are the benefits of proper plate storage, and conversely, the downside of improper storage?
SG: A large portion of a plate’s life is spent in storage. Therefore, it is important that plates are first cleaned then properly stored to maximize the lifespan of the printing plate. There are many benefits to using proper plate storage practices. It greatly reduces the possibility of plates being damaged from elements, such as ozone, light, stacking and heat. It also ends up saving you space in your plant with various plate storage solutions like a wall unit or a mobile, free-standing rack, as well as time with color coding systems. For those looking to be more sustainable, partners like Jalema have found a way to use agricultural waste instead of trees to create their folders with. Consequently, if you do not use proper plate storage, your plates will suffer from improper remakes, irregular ink transfer, loss of images, plate cracking, warped edges and plate curling.

L&NW: How should converters get started in this process, and what questions should they ask?
SG: Reach out to either your current A&V account manager or plate vendor for the plate manufacturer’s spec sheet, which would list their suggested cleaning and storage recommendations. Using these recommendations, draw up a simple SOP that would cover your proper plate storage best practices for care and handling. Questions that you should ask include: How will the plates be cleaned? By hand or by automatic plate washing equipment? What type of cleaner is recommended for your polymer plates if washing by hand? What type of cleaner is recommended with your equipment and does that match the plate manufacturers’ spec sheet? How will the plates be stored? What type of data log will be kept to catalog and track the plates’ life?

L&NW: What are some common mistakes you see customers make?
SG: Some of the common mistakes made are a result of plates not being properly cleaned and stored. For instance, placing dirty plates face to face and on top of each other with nothing between each plate; long running jobs where plates sit longer still caked with ink; using common household cleaners instead if the recommended cleaning chemistries; storing plates under fluorescent light and sunlight when UV light exposure causes brittleness; rolling plates with wrinkled proofing paper which causes creases in the plate images. Not only does this result in an increase of plate remakes, but it effects how much mounting tape and other consumables you need to use too.

L&NW: How can converters save money without making sacrifices?
SG:  You can utilize materials that are supplied with your plate material, like the foam sheets they are shipped with. These work well for placing between the stored plates. Using greener plate chemistry that can be cut with water, like AV Platewash, can reduce the overall footprint of chemicals in your plant. Creating an SOP recommended products will allow you to reuse plates longer and reduce the volume of consumable products being used to make up for ineffective plates that were not properly cared for.

L&NW: What products would you recommend to aid in this process?
SG: Some of the products that would be recommended to aid in this process would be a solid Platewash Cleaner that is low on VOC’s and green in chemical makeup. An automated plate washer like the Ovit Flexomatic that can clean, rinse and dry flexo plates much quicker, more effectively and consistently for storage. Flexopodz sleeve storage systems and/or Jalema file folders and systems that can store flexo sleeves vertically to avoid warping and exposure from various elements. Additional consumables include closed cell sponges without nylon which can damage plates, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), NT400Wipe 12″x13″ blue cleaning wipes, 3M AP86A adhesion promoters, horsehair brushes, lint-free cloths, and of course, protective nitrile gloves and eyewear.

L&NW: With proper storage, what can converters expect in terms of plate life? And how will that affect performance?
SG: Under optimized conditions conformed to the manufacturer’s specs and where all other conditions remain the same, the life of your flexo plates can be extended with proper care and storage. The performance of a well-kept plate is ever-telling with better ink transfer, limiting loss of images, and ultimately less remakes. Operators will also benefit and perform better when you eliminate the need for excessive scrubbing and handling with harsh chemicals, time lost searching for sleeves, and headaches trying to fit damaged plates on press.

L&NW: What are the benefits of partnering with Anderson & Vreeland?
SG: Your A&V representative can help discuss and provide the correct solution for your operation. We have a wide range of products and equipment offerings paired with experienced, FTA FIRST-certified backed account managers and consultants. We are an all-in-one shop for all things polymer and can help you reduce overall expenses without sacrificing quality, speed, or customer satisfaction.