What are Doctor blades?
Most customers don't know the brand of their doctor blade when asked.
Doctor blades are thin, flat pieces of metal or plastic used in printing processes such as flexo and gravure printing. They play a crucial role in controlling the amount of ink transferred to the printing cylinder by removing excess ink as the cylinder rotates and supplies ink. Doctor blades act as metering devices, ensuring consistent ink transfer and uniform printing. They are commonly made of steel or plastic and come in different shapes, thicknesses, and materials to meet specific printing needs.
Doctor blades play a crucial role in flexo printing as they regulate the amount of ink transferred to the printing cylinder by removing excess ink as it rotates and supplies ink. They act as metering blades.
The importance of Doctor blades
Don't overlook the importance of a good doctor blade. For example, if you use thick pigment ink, the blade should be able to withstand the wear and tear of the pigment. This also applies to water-based inks and humidity in the environment, and the blade should be resistant to corrosion and water. Poor quality blades can cause vibration and score lines during printing, but a good blade can prevent production disasters.