Supplies
Ci Press Path
Use this Ci Press Path page to map the order of stations on a central impression press for flexible packaging work in South Africa. It focuses on plate mounting, web travel, ink sequence and drying checks so operators and estimators can brief a repeatable CI job.
Web route on a CI press
The Ci Press Path page covers the practical flow around central impression printing for flexible packaging work. It links press layout, plate choice and ink handling so production teams can brief a CI job properly.
Start with the film type, gauge and sealing layer before choosing station order. OPP, PET and PE behave differently around tension, corona level and solvent retention, especially between inland winter air and Durban humidity. Press limits such as maximum repeat, dryer capacity and available sleeve sizes should be written into the brief from the outset.
Record the machine condition before make ready begins, including impression settings, tension values and anilox selection. A clear photo of the unwind, the first deck and the rewound sample helps when the same SKU returns after a stoppage or cylinder change. Keep those notes with the job card so colour, register and curing issues can be traced against the run.
What the path must capture
A useful CI path names the substrate side to print, the colour sequence and any white, lacquer or adhesive-related constraints. It should also show where trapping risk sits, which station carries the heaviest coverage and whether the press can hold the target speed without blocking or picking. That gives production a document tied to the actual machine rather than a generic layout.
- Station order matched to substrate behaviour
- First setup recorded before speed increases
- Deck details logged with each repeat
Conditions that change the setup
Production planning can shift around OR Tambo freight cut-offs, Durban port delays and stock movement through Johannesburg converters. A repeat snack, pet food or detergent pack may keep the same artwork but still need a different path if film source, ink system or curing demand changes. Separate urgent plate replacement from normal weekly scheduling so the press brief stays accurate.
Near the coast, salt air and higher humidity can shorten wash-up intervals and affect solvent balance on CI work. Inland sites often battle paper and dust build-up around guards, sensors and web guides, so inspection points need to be set into the shift routine. During load-shedding periods, first-off samples and restart checks should be logged against the actual stop time, not only the planned run sheet.
Operated by Astros Marketing (Pty) Ltd from 2 Makro Place, Sunnyrock 1401.
Information needed before setup
Send the Ci Press Path with substrate name, micron, print side and the press model in use. Add any previous faults such as dirty reverse print, poor lamination bond, pinholing or unstable register so the route can be checked against the likely cause.
File the path with the job record on the same day as the run. When procurement or quality asks for traceability, the deck sequence, anilox specification, plate thickness and ink references should be easy to pull against that SKU.
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