The Basics of Cleaning Your Anilox Rolls with Anilox Cleaner
American Inks & Technology understands the importance of properly cleaning anilox rolls, so much in fact that we developed our own anilox cleaner, Americlean Green™. And, in this post, we will discuss the basics of cleaning your anilox rolls and why it’s important to do so promptly.
One of the most important things to remember is that you should clean your anilox rolls as soon as you are done printing. If you let the rolls sit, the residual ink will dry in the cells and it does not take long at all for it to dry. It’s a great idea to keep your ink and rolls moving so that the ink is wet and much more easily cleaned.
You should also make sure to be very careful when removing the anilox tolls from the press. When you do move them, you must use both hands to carry them with a tight grip. You should never lift them by their gears or bearings or over the shoulder. While ceramic anilox rolls are somewhat durable, if they are dropped noticeable damage or small cracks can occur and worsen. When setting your anilox roll down, make sure the surface is clear of tools or debris, and consider using a towel or blanket for added protection.
You have to make sure you remember to clean the ends of the anilox rolls, as well. This is especially true for certain types of ink, UV ink in particular. If buildup occurs on the end of the anilox roll, which can happen after a long print run, do not use any sort of metal tools to scrape it off – use plastic instead.
And finally, one of the most neglected steps in cleaning your anilox rolls – rinsing and drying. Rinsing is necessary to ensure that all of the anilox cleaner and any ink debris is rinsed away. When anilox rolls are not properly dried, water spots will appear and can actual affect your print!
At American Inks & Technology, we proudly manufacture and use Americlean Green™, a highly concentrated anilox cleaner designed to deep clean virtually anything in your pressroom. When used properly Americlean Green™ will aid in the prevention of clogged anilox pores while maintaining the integrity of your valuable printing equipment for years to come. If you have any questions about our anilox cleaner, do not hesitate to contact us!