Flexo, rotogravure or offset: which printing technology to choose
There's no single "best" film printing technology, only the one that best fits your print run, design and budget. Let's break down how flexo, rotogravure and offset differ, and when to reach for each.
Rotogravure delivers the highest quality and pays off on large runs. Flexo strikes a versatile balance of price and quality for medium runs. Offset starts cheap and fast, with no tooling, so it works out better on shorter runs than rotogravure, though the 100 kg or 10,000 pouch minimum still applies. We're not tied to any one technology and pick it to suit the task.
Flexo
This is printing from flexible (flexographic) plates with fast-drying inks. Speed is high, and the price-to-quality ratio on medium runs is among the best you'll find. It also handles almost any material: film, kraft, metal. A solid choice when you want decent quality and a sensible price without overpaying for premium tooling.
Rotogravure
Here the image is printed from engraved metal cylinders. The ink lays down deep and saturated, giving photographic detail and stable color across the entire run, the highest quality there is for premium designs. Making the cylinders costs more, so the technology pays off best at large volumes, where that cost is spread across the whole run.
Offset
Offset does without expensive tooling: there are no engraved cylinders or plates, so the start is cheap and fast. It works out better on shorter runs than rotogravure, but the 100 kg or 10,000 pouch minimum still applies.
Comparison table
| Criterion | Flexo | Rotogravure | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | High | Highest, photo detail | Good |
| Optimal run | Medium | Large | Shorter |
| Start-up cost | Medium | Higher (cylinders) | Low, no tooling |
| Speed | High | High at volume | Fast start |
| Color stability | Good | Excellent | Good |
How to choose for the task
- Shorter run: offset, no investment in tooling, fast and cheaper, still from 100 kg or 10,000 pouches.
- Medium run, need balance: flexo, quality and price in an optimal ratio.
- Large run, premium brand: rotogravure, maximum quality and stable color, cost-effective at volume.
- Many different designs: we combine artworks on a wide-format cylinder (up to 1400 mm) and print in a single pass, which significantly reduces the cost of the run.
Our approach: not tied to one technology
Most manufacturers print everything on a single machine and bend your project to fit it. We do the opposite: we choose the technology to fit your task, run and budget. We print from 100 kg or 10,000 pouches, in 1 to 9 colors, and we sign off the shades not just on paper but on the material itself, for pouches and for printed film on the roll alike.
Not sure which technology fits?
Tell us about the product and the run, we'll select the printing for your task and budget. Quote within 24 hours.