This TAPPI technical information paper presents methods for reducing or eliminating ink and varnish smearing when flexographic printing and rotary die cutting are performed in one pass. It covers infrared drying, press transfer improvements, spacer sections, print and die design considerations, anvil cover maintenance, scoring and perforation practices, doctor blade selection, anilox roll settings, and coordination with ink suppliers. The guidance is intended for flexographic converters, packaging production teams, press operators, and process engineers working with kraft, mottled white, clay-coated, and bleached paperboard.
Application Scope: Flexographic printing, rotary die cutting, paperboard converting, ink and varnish drying, folder-gluer production, and print quality troubleshooting.
