A Full Range of Anilox
Engraving and Sleeves
In order to remain the most innovative Anilox manufacturer globally, we place a significant value on bringing our clients the best technical solutions leading to award-winning results. Our rolls are known to have the most precise volumes in the industry, creating the most consistent jobs.
60° Hex
Scope / Best working Environment
The 60° Hex engraving is best suited to:
- Thinner and less viscous inks up to 24 seconds on Din 4 / 30 seconds Zhan 2.
- Solvent based inks or coatings.
- Minimal doctor blade pressure.
Note: * Choosing the correct engraving is critical to the success of this standard engraving. **
Best Market Sector – Solvent based flexible packaging.
Worst Market Sector – High viscous inks and coatings with large pigment particles.
Pros
- Industry standard for many years.
- Uniform angle.
- Good dot support.
- Universally available from all suppliers.
- Maximum cells per square in/cm.
- Angle does not clash with YMCK plate angle.
Cons
- Can have inconsistent transfer from the same line screen and volume – shape/walls/depth.
- Has restricted print range. Large inventory needed to cover all aspects of designs.
- Can contribute to ink spitting.
- Can have weak walls when extreme specifications are requested.
- Requires regular cleaning and maintenance. Requires more plate cleaning, especially on long runs.
- Creates ink foaming in water-based inks and coatings by introducing air into the chambers.
- Can create ghosting effect.
- Can create misting on very high speeds.
GTT
Scope / Best working Environment
The GTT engraving is best suited to:
- All markets. GTT is a universally exceptional Swiss Army Knife of an engraving.
Note: * Understanding the engraving technology is critical to the success in selecting the correct GTT engraving. *
Best Market Sector – Universal high-quality performance in all market environments. This technology is exceptional for ECG printing, UV inks, water-based inks, and added value lacquers.
Worst Market Sector – Old crowned rubber roller systems.
Pros
- Fixed wall to depth pattern.
- Better print consistency.
- Improved ink transfer.
- Better solids.
- Less cleaning.
- No foaming since there is no air introduction into the chamber systems.
- Reduced anilox inventory.
- Reduced ink / coating costs.
- Most repeatable anilox in the market.
- ECG enabler.
Cons
- Higher initial cost.
- Operator understanding.
- Sales messaging.
- One global supplier.
45°
Scope / Best working Environment
The 45° engraving is best suited to:
- Course engravings typically lower than 150 l/cm / 60 lpi.
- More common in chrome rollers rather than ceramic.
- Generally, for basic corrugated or coating applications.
Best Market sector – Rubber roll systems in corrugated.
Worst Market Sector – Not suitable for fine details and YMCK.
Pros
- One of the original engravings.
- Uniform angle.
- Available in mechanically engraved or ceramic laser engraved.
- Larger cell walls for structural support.
- Universally available from all suppliers.
Cons
- Can have inconsistent transfer from the same line screen and volume – shape/walls/depth.
- Has restricted print range. Large inventory needed to cover all aspects of designs.
- Can contribute to ink spitting.
- Angle clashes with YMCK standard angles.
- 15% less cells compared to 60° or 30° engravings.
- Can create ghosting effect.
- Not suitable for detailed printing.
- Introduces air into the chamber systems.
Longcell
Scope / Best working Environment
The Longcell engraving is best suited to:
- Basic solids in corrugated, especially on uncoated poor-quality board.
- Large solid print areas.
Note: * This engraving was developed in 2001, however it was not accepted as an improvement of 60° by the industry. Following the GTT Technology enhancement, the Longcell was revisited by our competitors to try and compete with the emerging GTT patent. Various tricks and breaks in the wall construction of Longcell has created an engraving that increases the ink transfer and volume which assists cheaper / poor board quality. *
Best Market Sector – Basic corrugated on low quality board.
Worst Market Sector – High viscous inks and coatings with large pigment particles.
Pros
- More volume available than 60°.
- Increased ink transfer for solid blocks.
- Universally available from all anilox suppliers.
Cons
- Can have inconsistent transfer from the same line screen and volume – shape/walls/depth.
- Has restricted print range. Large inventory needed to cover all aspects of designs.
- Can contribute to ink spitting.
- Can have weak walls when extreme specifications are requested.
- Requires regular cleaning and maintenance.
- Creates ink foaming in water-based inks and coatings by introducing air into the chambers.
- Can create ghosting effect.
- Can create misting on very high speeds.
- Can clash with plate screen angles.
- No industry fixed angle. Even a 1° difference will increase the call opening top to bottom by up to 15 microns.
- Can print dirty on fine text and edges.
Channellox
Scope / Best working Environment
The Channellox engraving is best suited to:
- Thick viscous inks and coatings such as UV.
Note: * The Channellox was developed to break the walls running top to bottom to allow ink to flow more freely within the engraving. *
Best Market Sector – Label, UV and water-based inks and coatings.
Worst Market Sector – Thinner inks such as solvent based and high-quality images and designs.
Pros
- Helps to eliminate Ink spitting on viscous coatings.
- Helps to reduce foaming of the ink/coating during production.
- Universally available from all anilox suppliers.
Cons
- Can have inconsistent transfer from the same line screen and volume – shape/walls/depth.
- Can lose ink print density as press speed increases.
- Can be sensitive to press pressure settings for color strength.
- Print dots are less supported.
- Can print dirty on fine text and edges.
- Transfer performance consistency can be variable.
Trihelical
Scope / Best working Environment
The Trihelical engraving is best suited to:
- Thick viscous inks and high-volume requirements.
Note: * The Trihelical engraving was developed as a course engraving to create deep channels creating volume possibilities with a strong wall surface. *
Best Market Sector – Coatings and large particle ink and liquids.
Worst Market Sector – Any form of image or design printing in flexo, label, or corrugated.
Pros
- High volumes are possible.
- Delivers maximum transfer to heavy and direct coatings.
- Universally available from all anilox suppliers.
- Good durability against doctor blades.
Cons
- Can lose coat weight as press speed increases.
- Can be sensitive to press pressure settings for coating weight.
- Transfer performance consistency can be variable.
- Generally, engravings up to a maximum of 80 lpcm / 30 lpi.
- Can create aeration in the coatings.
60° Bottoms Up
Scope / Best working Environment
The 60° Bottoms Up engraving is best suited to:
- Glue, starch, or silicon applications.
Note: * The positive engraving is a raised engraving where the volume is created in the valleys between the engraved pins. *
Best Market Sector – Silicone, glue, and direct coatings.
Worst Market Sector – Any form of image or design printing in flexo, label, or corrugated.
Pros
- High volumes are possible.
- Delivers maximum open volume areas across the surface reducing the risk of clogging.
- Universally available from all anilox suppliers.
Cons
- Can lose coat weight as press speed increases.
- Can be sensitive to press pressure settings for coating weight.
- Weaker surface structure due to having pins instead of walls.
- Generally, engravings up to a maximum of 60 lpcm / 23 lpi.
- Can create ink splashing at high speeds.
45° Bottoms Up
Scope / Best working Environment
The 45° Bottoms Up engraving is best suited to:
- Thick viscous coatings such as glues and adhesive applications.
- Silicone and cold seal applications.
Best Market Sector – Cold seal and silicone.
Worst Market Sector – Print and packaging with doctor blade chamber systems.
Pros
- Very open engraving structure.
- Good liquid transfer capabilities especially with thick and viscous coatings.
- Less cleaning required.
- No foaming.
- Minimum surface tension of anilox.
Cons
- Minimum surface contact points meaning a weaker structure.
- Fast wear if used with doctor blade chamber.
- Fast wear if used with aggressive pigment inks.
- Volume consistency has a higher tolerance.
- Roll to roll repeatability has a bigger tolerance.
- Ink or coating leaking if used with low viscosity inks.
Who We Are
The Apex Group is the global leader in Anilox rollers, metering, and print maintenance solutions. From materials to manufacturing processes, Apex maintains a culture of innovation driven to set new standards in Anilox performance. Few companies are known to devote as much of their revenue back into R&D as we do. Thanks to this structure, Apex sets the bar by being the only Anilox roll manufacturer to produce its own Anilox sleeves and hold the revolutionary GTT engraving patent.
What We Do
We use our improved techniques, strong expertise, and the latest processes to provide the highest standards in terms of quality Anilox rollers. Apex prides itself on always offering the latest laser technology to provide a wide range of engravings for every need. In addition to the ceramic laser engraved rollers, we also provide chrome-plated rollers to meet every need. To offer the fastest service without diminishing quality, Apex also has a large warehouse of the most common Anilox rolls to meet the growing global demand for our products consistently.
Guaranteed Consistency
In flexography, the staggering combinations of plate, ink, press, speed, operator – and even climate – all conspire to reduce predictability on press. As the heart of the flexo press, the anilox roll is the foundation of the printing process. Therefore, to limit the possible variables at the ink transfer stage — engravings, ceramics, TIR tolerances, volume, wear — will provide the stability required to achieve print consistency and press efficiency. Through high QC standards and innovation, Apex helps remove the anilox from the list of variables. With the advent of Apex’s GTT engravings, ink release has never been more predictable.