Supplies
Cleaner Kit
Cleaner Kit covers the wash-up consumables used around photopolymer plates, anilox rolls and ink circuits in flexo work. The focus is on tidy changeovers in South African packaging plants where residue left in cells or hoses can show up straight away on the next print run.
Plate, anilox and ink wash-up
Our Cleaner Kit page deals with the wash-up materials used around plates, anilox rolls and ink systems in flexo production. It is aimed at packaging plants that need orderly cleaning without upsetting print consistency on the next run.
Solvent choice depends on the ink set, the plate material and the way the unit is cleaned between jobs. Inland dust can mix with dried ink around doctor blades, while coastal moisture affects how residue lifts off tanks, chambers and transfer parts during routine wash-up.
A useful kit normally includes wipes, brushes, measured containers and cleaning fluid suited to the press area being treated. Keep one set for plates and another for anilox work so debris from heavy ink build-up does not get carried back onto a cleaner station.
Kit contents that matter on press
The aim is not just to remove colour. Good wash-up materials help operators clear ink edges, tape marks and splash points without damaging the plate face or forcing dried material deeper into the anilox cells. That makes restart checks easier when density and print cleanliness are reviewed at first impressions.
Before using the kit, note which unit held the problem ink and whether the build-up sits on the plate, chamber, hoses or metering area. Record the cleaner used and the result through the contact form if you need matching advice for plates, inks or wash-up practice on the same job.
- Plate-safe wipes for image areas
- Brushes sized for anilox handling
- Containers for measured wash-up fluid
Conditions seen in SA plants
Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni sites often deal with fine dust that settles on open components during longer stoppages. Durban and Cape Town plants can see faster moisture pickup around stored wipes and exposed cleaning cloths, so sealed storage and clear labelling help keep the kit fit for use.
Power interruptions can leave ink standing in chambers or lines longer than planned. After a stop, inspect dried edges near seals, pumps and return sections before starting a fresh wash-up cycle, because loosened fragments can travel back into the system if they are missed.
Operated by Astros Marketing (Pty) Ltd from 2 Makro Place, Sunnyrock 1401.
Checks before the next colour
Check compatibility first with the plate type, ink chemistry and the part being cleaned. Note any swelling, haze, lint or lingering odour so the wash-up method can be corrected before the next job goes onto press.
If you are comparing cleaners, log what was used on white, process and heavy solid work separately. A simple record with date, press, ink series and wash-up result gives the production team something useful to refer to when the same packaging item returns.
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