Gravure printing is a printing method in which ink is directly transferred onto the substrate surface using a rotary engraved printing cylinder. Ink is held in finely engraved cells on the cylinder surface and transferred with high precision during high-speed rotation.
Compared with other printing methods, gravure printing offers several key advantages:
- Outstanding print quality
- Exceptional color consistency
- Efficient printing speed
- Long-lasting cylinders
Because gravure printing requires precise tension and web control, combining a gravure printing press with slitter rewinders enables a fully integrated production line—from film printing to converting and rewinding.
For more details, please refer to: "What Is Roto-Gravure Printing? — A Comprehensive Guide"
A gravure printing cylinder is a roller with microscopic engraved cells on its surface that hold ink and transfer it onto the substrate during printing. It is one of the most critical components in the gravure printing process.
The depth, shape, and uniformity of the engraved cells directly determine ink density and image quality, requiring highly precise engraving and manufacturing technologies.
The accuracy and surface quality of the cylinder significantly affect not only printing performance but also downstream processes such as slitting, rewinding, and packaging.
Learn more in our article: "What Is a Rotogravure Cylinder?"
The gravure printing process typically consists of the following key steps:
- Engraving
Cells (grooves) are engraved onto the printing cylinder to form the ink-holding pattern. - Proofing
A proofing machine is used to verify and fine-tune engraving accuracy, ink performance, and color consistency. - Printing
Ink is transferred onto films or other substrates during the actual production printing process.
Strict quality control at each stage is essential to achieving stable, high-precision printing results. In addition, post-printing slitting and rewinding play a crucial role in overall production efficiency and final product quality. For this reason, gravure printing lines are often integrated with Yo Den's slitter rewinders and rewinding systems.
For a detailed explanation, please read: "Rotogravure Printing Process – Engraving, Proofing & Printing"