Ever wondered how Flexographic printing plates work? Flexographic printing uses printing plates to apply inks to the substrate. Printing plates are made of a soft yet durable and very resilient rubber which is wrapped around a cylinder and placed within the printing press. The number of printing plates required varies on the amount of colours that will be used on the design of the label. For instance if you have a four colour design you will need four printing plates. One for each colour used in the design. As the substrate is passed through the machine the printing plate absorbs inks through cells across its entire surface, and transfers this on to the substrate. Any excess inks are removed by a blade, whilst the underside of the substrate has an impression roller that pushes the surface of the material firmly against the printing plate. This allows for the best possible end result of wonderfully produced printed labels. With technology always advancing the Flexographic printing process is sure to only get better with better quality inks and plates being produced all the time. This can only mean better quality labels for customers and end users.