cleaning ink on an anilox roll

Cleaning Ink on an Anilox Roll: Common Mistakes and the Right Way to Clean

Considering today’s high cost of new equipment, flexographic printers know the importance of maintaining their existing equipment for long-term use. Cleaning ink after a production run may seem like a small task. In reality, properly removing ink from an anilox roll helps to increase uptime and keeps the rolls functioning at peak performance. By properly cleaning ink off anilox rolls, flexographic printers aren’t simply removing ink. They’re also extending the life of the anilox rolls and other equipment. Here are a list of the most common mistakes and the correct way to clean ink on an anilox roll.

7 Mistakes When Cleaning Ink on an Anilox Roll

  1. Using wire brushes, abrasive pads, or aggressive scraping, which can damage cell walls and reduce ink volume.
  2. Letting ink dry in the cells, because dried ink is much harder to remove and causes plugging.
  3. Using the wrong cleaner or concentration, because some solvents and chemicals can attack roll coatings, seals, and end components.
  4. Cleaning inconsistently and only wiping the surface, which leaves ink inside the engraved cells.
  5. Using excessive pressure with high-pressure washing, which can erode or chip the engraved surface.
  6. Skipping inspection, because plugged or damaged cells may go unnoticed until print quality suffers.
  7. Ignoring safety and machine instructions. Cleaners, lasers, ultrasonics, and high-pressure equipment all need the correct PPE and settings.

The Correct Way to Clean an Anilox Roll

  1. Clean anilox rollers promptly after the run, before the ink dries.
  2. Use a cleaner approved for the ink type and roll material: water-based, solvent inks, UV, or coating-specific.
  3. Apply the cleaner and allow the recommended dwell time; don’t let it dry on the anilox roll.
  4. Use a soft nylon brush or approved cleaning pad, working gently to lift residue from cells.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with the recommended method and dry completely.
  6. For persistent plugging, use a professional anilox-cleaning method such as soda blasting, ultrasonic cleaning, laser cleaning, or a specialist service selected for the roll’s engraving. Follow all manufacturer’s instructions for use.
  7. Inspect cell condition and volume regularly with a microscope or measurement system, and document cleaning results.

Gently Clean the Cells on an Anilox Roll

The basic principle of cleaning ink on anilox rolls is to clean the cells gently, rather than trying to force debris out with abrasion or pressure.

Why Flexo Printers Trust Falls Cleaning Products

Now that you know how to clean ink on an anilox roll, it’s time to consider what cleaning agent to use. Falls Cleaning Products specializes in industrial cleaning solutions for flexo ink and UV LED ink printing applications. Our performance-proven, specialty-blended cleaners make clean-up fast and easy. For removing ink from anilox rolls, printing plates, and press parts, trust our 65 years of industry experiences. We make anilox roll cleaning more manageable, saving printers time and money. Contact us today to request a free sample of our anilox roll cleaner.