I. Different in nature

1. Flexo printing

Flexo printing is a form of direct printing, called flexo printing due to the use of elastic, raised image plates.

2. Gravure printing

Gravure printing refers to gravure printing. First, scrape off the excess ink on the printing plate, and then apply appropriate pressure to the printed matter between the printing plates through the embossing rubber roller, and squeeze the ink from the concave surface to the printed matter. 

II. Different in production process

1. Flexo printing

From the perspective of manuscript design and plate-making process, the flexo printing process is self-contained and has its own unique features. The plate-making process is basically as follows:

Original → electronic color separation or photography → positive and negative images → back exposure → main exposure → development and washing → drying → post-processing → post-exposure → plate-mounting.

2. Gravure printing

Due to the high degree of automation of the printing machine and the good quality of plate making, the gravure printing process is simpler and easier to master than lithographic printing. The process flow is as follows:

Pre-press preparation → printing → adjustment rules → formal printing → post-press processing.

III. Different in characteristics

1. Flexo printing

①. The structure of the equipment is relatively simple, so the operation is simple and convenient.

②. Flexo printing uses roll materials, which can not only realize double-sided printing of substrates, but also complete on-line glazing (or lamination), bronzing, die-cutting, waste discharge, and winding. The production cycle is greatly shortened, manpower, material and financial resources are saved, and production costs are reduced.

③, a wide range of printing materials, such as paper, plastic film, aluminum foil, self-adhesive paper and so on.

④. The quality of the printed matter is good, the printing accuracy can reach 150 lines/inch, and the printed matter is rich in layers, bright in color and good in visual effect, which is especially suitable for the requirements of packaging printing.

2. Gravure printing

①. The ink bearing part of the gravure printing plate is concave, so it can accept a large amount of ink. If it is used in conjunction with the electrostatic ink absorption device on the gravure printing machine, it can obtain a rich ink layer, bright colors and rich level.

② Relatively low cost, since the entire layout of the gravure printing plate is protected by a hard metal chromium layer, even if there is a scraper in constant contact with the layout during printing, it still maintains a high printing resistance, generally up to several million prints.

③ Offset printing wraps the finished printing plate on the printing plate cylinder, therefore, there is always an area on the surface of the printing plate for fixing the printing plate. The gravure printing plate is different, because the plate-making operation of the gravure printing plate is carried out directly on the cylinder body, so the images on the cylinder do not need to be seamlessly spliced, and a continuous pattern can be obtained on the substrate.

④. Gravure printing can not only be printed on traditional paper, but also on film, aluminum foil, transfer paper and other materials.