A recent study by Du Pont finds that Flexo printing is better for the environment than Gravure.

The study, Life Cycle Assessment: Flexographic and Rotogravure Printing Comparison & Flexographic Plate Imaging Technologies, investigated the cradle-to-grave environmental footprint of both processes based on final printed film.

Once all things were taken into consideration, the Life Cycle Assessment findings showed that flexo printing reduces non-renewable energy consumption and greenhouse gases by 50%, on average, when compared to gravure printing. The average overall flexography greenhouse gas emissions impact is 51% lower and the non-renewable energy use is 48% lower than the rotogravure impact.

“Flexo print technology and its resulting output have improved exponentially in the last decade. We regularly are asked by brand owners and print buyers the difference between flexo and gravure. On a like-for-like basis, flexo is delivering comparable print quality than gravure. It also has the advantage of reducing the environmental impact of production and is ordinarily less expensive to run,” said Chris Delaney, Remedies Print Operations & Technical Manager.

Chris also added. “At Remedies Print, we take the environmental impact of production very seriously and advise our clients on the most eco friendly approach. In this case, it is appropriate for us to recommend flexo over gravure.”