Coating and thin film
RK PrintCoat Instruments K Printing Proofer
Laboratory-scale simulation of gravure and flexographic printing that produces standardised proofs of inks, varnishes and functional coatings.
In short
Laboratory-scale simulation of gravure and flexographic printing that produces standardised proofs of inks, varnishes and functional coatings. The RK K Printing Proofer is a bench-top instrument that reproduces gravure and flexographic printing processes at laboratory scale. Plates with different cell depths and screen rulings allow repeatable proofs at a range of dry film thicknesses and coat weights.
- Printing processes
- Gravure and flexographic
- Ink metering
- Doctor-bladed gravure plate / anilox
- Film thickness control
- Set by cell depth of interchangeable plates
Services on this instrument
Print Proofing and Ink/Coating Sample Preparation
from €3707–15 business daysRequest this serviceService detailsInstrument Operator Training
from €42014–30 business daysRequest this serviceService details
Overview
The RK K Printing Proofer is a bench-top instrument that reproduces gravure and flexographic printing processes at laboratory scale. Ink is metered into the cells of an engraved gravure plate by a doctor blade and transferred to the substrate under an adjustable impression roller; in flexographic mode, transfer from an anilox roller to the printing plate is simulated. Plates with different cell depths and screen rulings allow repeatable proofs at a range of dry film thicknesses and coat weights. The instrument is used to compare ink and varnish formulations for colour, gloss, opacity and adhesion, and to evaluate conductive, functional and barrier coatings on their intended substrates. It handles flexible substrates such as paper, board, polymer film and foil, producing pre-scale-up evaluation samples for packaging, printed electronics and coating R&D programmes.
Measurement principle
Capabilities
Gravure-mode ink transfer from doctor-bladed engraved plate
Flexographic-mode simulation of anilox-to-plate transfer
Selectable dry film thickness and coat weight by plate choice
Repeatable proofs under adjustable impression pressure
Side-by-side comparison of ink and varnish formulations
Printed test specimens of conductive and functional inks
Suitable samples
Gravure and flexographic printing inks
Varnishes and overprint coatings
Conductive and functional inks
Paper and board substrates
Polymer films and foils
Label and packaging materials
Technical specifications
| Printing processes | Gravure and flexographic |
|---|---|
| Ink metering | Doctor-bladed gravure plate / anilox |
| Film thickness control | Set by cell depth of interchangeable plates |
| Impression pressure | Adjustable |
| Substrate type | Flexible sheet samples (paper, board, film, foil) |
Services on this instrument
Print Proofing and Ink/Coating Sample Preparation
from €3707–15 business daysRequest this serviceService detailsInstrument Operator Training
from €42014–30 business daysRequest this serviceService details
- Manufacturer
- RK PrintCoat Instruments
- Model
- K Printing Proofer
- Catalogue no.
- 14
Quick answers
Print Proofer: key facts
What is RK PrintCoat Instruments K Printing Proofer used for?
It is used for: Gravure-mode ink transfer from doctor-bladed engraved plate, Flexographic-mode simulation of anilox-to-plate transfer, Selectable dry film thickness and coat weight by plate choice, Repeatable proofs under adjustable impression pressure, Side-by-side comparison of ink and varnish formulations, and Printed test specimens of conductive and functional inks.
Which samples can RK PrintCoat Instruments K Printing Proofer analyse?
Suitable samples: Gravure and flexographic printing inks, Varnishes and overprint coatings, Conductive and functional inks, Paper and board substrates, Polymer films and foils, and Label and packaging materials.
Which NAKTEM services use RK PrintCoat Instruments K Printing Proofer?
Print Proofing and Ink/Coating Sample Preparation and Instrument Operator Training.
What results do I receive?
Typical deliverables: Labelled print proofs or drawdown samples on the agreed substrates, Preparation record covering cylinder/plate specification, bar number, pressure, speed and drying/curing conditions, Side-by-side visual comparison set against the reference sample, Gloss, dry film thickness and adhesion evaluation on request, and Sample preparation summary report (PDF).
Related services
Sample preparation and processing
Print Proofing and Ink/Coating Sample Preparation
Repeatable gravure and flexo print proofs and controlled-thickness ink, varnish and coating drawdowns prepared on a K Printing Proofer for evaluation.
Training
Instrument Operator Training
Hands-on operator training on analytical instruments including SEM/EDS, XRD, Raman and rheometry, covering sample preparation, measurement and data interpretation.
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Further reading
Industry
Rheology for Coatings and Inks: A Practical Primer
A single viscosity number cannot tell you whether a paint will sag, whether an ink will transfer cleanly or whether pigment will settle in storage. We explain how shear rate, thixotropy, yield stress and oscillatory tests translate into formulation decisions.
October 20, 20265 min read
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