What Is Flexography (Flexo Printing)?
Flexography (flexo) is a printing method that uses flexible rubber or photopolymer relief plates and fast-drying inks. Because the plates are soft and the presses run at speed, flexo is ideal for printing on corrugated board, labels, and flexible packaging films at high volume.
In more detail
Flexography is a modern relief printing process: the image sits raised on a flexible plate, which is inked and pressed onto the material. It is essentially a high-speed, industrial descendant of the rubber stamp, and its flexibility is exactly what makes it suited to uneven or delicate surfaces.
That is why flexo dominates certain packaging categories. It prints directly onto the fluted surface of corrugated boxes without crushing them, runs roll-to-roll for self-adhesive labels and shrink sleeves, and handles flexible films for pouches and wraps, all at speeds and costs that suit large volumes.
Compared with offset, flexo historically traded some fine-detail quality for speed and substrate versatility, though modern high-definition flexo has narrowed that gap considerably. For premium retail corrugated where the finest print is needed, litho-lamination (offset printed then mounted to board) is used instead.
Key points
- Uses flexible relief plates and fast-drying inks
- Ideal for corrugated board, labels, and flexible film
- Runs fast and roll-to-roll, great for high volume
- For the finest print on board, litho-lamination is used instead
Common questions
What is flexo printing used for?
Flexography is used for corrugated boxes, self-adhesive labels, shrink sleeves, and flexible packaging films: surfaces where its flexible plates and fast, roll-fed presses suit high-volume production. It prints directly on corrugated board without crushing the flutes.
What is the difference between flexo and offset printing?
Flexo uses flexible relief plates and fast-drying inks and excels on corrugated, labels, and film at high speed. Offset uses flat plates and a rubber blanket and gives the finest detail and colour on flat board and paper. Each suits different substrates and quality needs.
Related terms
Where it's used
Written by LeRoy Print Packs, a printing and packaging manufacturer making cartons, corrugated boxes and labels in-house. Get a quote