The present invention relates to a process for flexographic printing of ink onto a thin polymeric film substrate. In particular the process relates to printing using a central impression cylinder press, wherein the width of printed substrate is greater than 800 mm, to provide a high opacity printing process. According to the present invention the printing process comprising: transferring ink from an ink reservoir to an anilox roll; transferring the ink from the anilox roll to a printing plate wherein the ink volume transferred by the anilox roll is from 9-20 cm.sup.3/m.sup.2; and
applying the ink to the surface of the substrate by applying pressure between the printing plate and an impression surface and passing the substrate between the printing plate and the impression surface wherein the printing plate is a high definition printing plate comprising at least 40 lines per centimeter.

A plate cylinder includes a plate cylinder body having a longitudinally-extending first hole and a longitudinally extending plate-receiving gap connected to the first hole, the plate cylinder body having a longitudinally-extending second hole parallel to the first hole; and a lock-up mechanism including: a torsion bar extending in the longitudinally extending hole and having a surface for contacting an end of a plate located in the gap; a swing bar extending longitudinally in the second hole and being movable perpendicular to a longitudinal direction due to the second hole being oversized compared to dimensions of the swing bar within the second hole; a lever connecting the swing bar and the torsion bar, the torsion bar being rotatable as the swing bar moves within the second hole; and an activator for rotating the torsion bar. A printing press and methods are also provided.

A plate cylinder includes a plate cylinder body having a longitudinally-extending first hole and a longitudinally extending plate-receiving gap connected to the first hole, the plate cylinder body having a longitudinally-extending second hole parallel to the first hole; and a lock-up mechanism including: a torsion bar extending in the longitudinally extending hole and having a surface for contacting an end of a plate located in the gap; a swing bar extending longitudinally in the second hole and being movable perpendicular to a longitudinal direction due to the second hole being oversized compared to dimensions of the swing bar within the second hole; a lever connecting the swing bar and the torsion bar, the torsion bar being rotatable as the swing bar moves within the second hole; and an activator for rotating the torsion bar. A printing press and methods are also provided.

A mandrel wherein a portion of the mandrel body outer surface is cortical; i.e., flared outwardly, is provided. In this configuration, the necked can is drawn against the conical portion of the mandrel body outer surface while a generally cylindrical portion of the mandrel body extends into the can. Further, the space between the cylindrical portion of the mandrel body and the can is pressurized so as to resist deformations in the can during the decorating process. In an exemplary embodiment, the mandrel includes an elongated mandrel body with an outer surface, a proximal, first end, a proximal medial portion, a distal medial portion, and a distal, second end and having an axis of rotation. The mandrel body outer surface includes an elongated conical portion; the mandrel body outer surface conical portion is disposed adjacently about the mandrel body first end.

A mandrel wherein a portion of the mandrel body outer surface is cortical; i.e., flared outwardly, is provided. In this configuration, the necked can is drawn against the conical portion of the mandrel body outer surface while a generally cylindrical portion of the mandrel body extends into the can. Further, the space between the cylindrical portion of the mandrel body and the can is pressurized so as to resist deformations in the can during the decorating process. In an exemplary embodiment, the mandrel includes an elongated mandrel body with an outer surface, a proximal, first end, a proximal medial portion, a distal medial portion, and a distal, second end and having an axis of rotation. The mandrel body outer surface includes an elongated conical portion; the mandrel body outer surface conical portion is disposed adjacently about the mandrel body first end.

A gravure printing system comprising a gravure cylinder having a first plurality of discrete cells disposed upon an outer surface thereof is disclosed. Each cell of said first plurality of discrete cells has a nominal diameter and is capable of receiving a fluid that is a first combination of at least two primary fluids. The fluid is fluidically displaceable through a discrete channel having a single entry point at said first position and a single exit point into a first cell of said first plurality of discrete cells. The outer surface has a metal plating disposed thereon. The metal plating reduces the nominal diameter of each cell of the first plurality of discrete cells.

A gravure printing system comprising a gravure cylinder having a first plurality of discrete cells disposed upon an outer surface thereof is disclosed. Each cell of said first plurality of discrete cells has a nominal diameter and is capable of receiving a fluid that is a first combination of at least two primary fluids. The fluid is fluidically displaceable through a discrete channel having a single entry point at said first position and a single exit point into a first cell of said first plurality of discrete cells. The outer surface has a metal plating disposed thereon. The metal plating reduces the nominal diameter of each cell of the first plurality of discrete cells.

A printing machine including a printing plate on a surface of a rotating cylinder, in which the printing plate has a fixed pattern for receiving a toner; a vessel containing the toner, which includes a pigment and a thermoplastic binder, in which the fixed pattern is a permanent pattern in a form of selected portions of an image is disclosed. A plate for use in the printing machine is also disclosed. A printing system is also disclosed.

A printing machine including a printing plate on a surface of a rotating cylinder, in which the printing plate has a fixed pattern for receiving a toner; a vessel containing the toner, which includes a pigment and a thermoplastic binder, in which the fixed pattern is a permanent pattern in a form of selected portions of an image is disclosed. A plate for use in the printing machine is also disclosed. A printing system is also disclosed.

A printing roller for a printing machine, e.g., for a flexographic printing machine, wherein the printing roller includes a rotary and longitudinal axis and an external surface, the external surface being substantially cylindrical and adapted for mounting a plate. The new feature of a printing roller according to the invention is that the external cylindrical surface includes at least one longitudinal groove, where the at least one longitudinal groove includes a geometry with one or more surfaces, the surface or surfaces lying within a circumscribed cylindrical surface for the external surface of the printing roller. In other words, this means that the longitudinal groove or grooves are cutouts in the form of milled or ground grooves in the external cylindrical surface itself on a printing roller.