Innovation is forging ahead in all areas of printing, including the rotogravure industry. To define this evolution, the ACIMGA Group (Italian Manufacturers Association of Machinery for the Graphic, Converting and Paper Industry) is drafting a new European standard for presentation next spring at Berlin.

Rotogravure: present and correct!
The world of printing is full of innovation, and while the word often stands for digital equipment, it is a path taken by all suppliers of machinery, materials, components and inks - innovation is an ongoing process in print technologies. From digital to offset printing, screen printing, flexo printing and rotogravure.

Innovation that doesn't age
The rotogravure printing industry is applying digital laser technologies to engraving rolls, for instance, as well as the innumerable substrate and ink technologies which enable it to satisfy the most demanding and creative clients.

This is why this printing technique, first invented in 1878, and which experienced industrial development with the first screen printed images published the German newspaper ‘Der Tag’, is even today demonstrating its high performance in applications for flexible packaging (paper, plastic film, metallised film, aluminium and cardboard), envelopes (paper, plastic film) and many other areas in which long print runs are required, given its ability to assure uniform colour, identical reprints even after many years, and high throughput.

Value
In a market of end clients demanding ever more quality, certification and certainty about production processes, it is important to give the entire supply chain the tools it needs to grow its know-how. Intelligent decisions are those which guarantee, in the relations between the various actors of the supply chain, observance of expectations and foreseeable final results. Know-how leads to better appreciation. This is the reason for the guidelines recently developed and published by the ACIMGA Italian Group, the work of an expert working group which illustrates the dynamic potential and topicality of this printing technology. For a copy of the document, apply to info@acimga.it.

Value is also a standard of reference. This is why the same group is currently heading up the drafting of a new standard. So far, rotogravure printing for packaging had no dedicated ISO standard within the ISO12647 family (as does offset printing, for instance). The group is drawing up a new draft standard, specifically for rotogravure processes, which will be presented at Berlin next spring.