Image Carriers

Schawk’s expertise in creating superior image carriers (printing plates and cylinders) dates back to its inception in 1953. We are acknowledged industry leaders in the creation of image carriers for flexography, offset lithography and rotogravure printing.

We offer extensive capabilities in digital and conventional plate-making and cylinder engraving.

Flexographic

• Wide web
• Narrow web
• Corrugated

Gravure

• Multiple sizes and specifications

Offset Litho

• Consultation services to printers and converters

Schawk constantly works closely with hardware and software manufacturers, materials suppliers, and printers and converters to advance image-carrier technologies. We help push the envelope to increase image sharpness and detail, registration, image to edge repeatability, consistency and overall quality.

Since the installation of our first Helioklishograph engraving machine in 1973, Schawk has been a beta testing site for the Hell Corporation in Kiel, Germany, working closely to develop engraving technology improvements for both publication and packaging printing. Today, we offer full gravure cylinder capabilities, including wide/narrow web-cylinder engraving, copper and chrome plating, polishing, electromechanical engraving from digital input, microscopic engraving inspection, and proofing.

We were among the first to employ SCI-TEX digital imaging equipment and among the very first to use computer-to-plate (CTP) imaging technology. While we are always at the forefront of emerging and new technologies, often serving as a beta tester for our business partners,we do not adopt or recommend the adoption of technologies until we have had a chance to fully evaluate their performance.