The development process of cardboard flexo printer slotter die cutting machines is closely related to technological progress, and its evolution reflects the continuous improvement of manufacturing automation, environmental protection requirements, and printing accuracy.

1. Traditional printing stage (early to mid-20th century)

Technical features: In the early days, flat or relief printing (such as rubber plates) was used, relying on manual operation or semi-automatic machinery, with slow speed and low accuracy.
Application limitations: Suitable for simple text and monochrome patterns, with poor color matching accuracy, unable to meet the needs of large-scale production.

2. The rise of flexographic printing (1970s-1990s)

Technological progress: Flexography has become mainstream, using flexible printing plates and water-based ink, suitable for multi-color printing on corrugated cardboard.

Advantages: Improved printing speed (up to 200 meters per minute), good environmental friendliness (water-based ink), and strong adaptability.

Automation: Introduce PLC control system to achieve preliminary automation alignment and tension control.

3. Digital Printing and High end Offset Printing Technology (2000s present)

Offset printing pre printing technology: By first printing on surface paper and then pasting it onto corrugated cardboard, high-precision images can be achieved (such as luxury packaging).
Breakthrough in Digital Printing:

Inkjet printing machine: Industrial grade corrugated cardboard flexo printing die cutting machine launched by HP, Kodak, etc., supporting variable data printing (such as QR codes, batch numbers), suitable for small batch customization.

Advantages: No need for plate making, quick order change, personalized design, but higher cost and slightly lower speed compared to flexible versions.

4. Intelligence and Automation (2010s present)

Core technological innovation:

Servo drive and closed-loop control: Improve color accuracy (within ± 0.1mm) and reduce scrap rate.

Machine vision inspection: Real time monitoring of printing defects (such as missed prints and color differences), automatic adjustment of parameters.

Internet of Things (IoT): Device networking enables remote diagnosis, production data analysis, and predictive maintenance.

Green manufacturing:

The popularization of water-based/UV curing ink reduces VOC emissions.

Energy saving drying system and waste recycling technology.

5. Future Trends

High speed digital printing: Inkjet technology is developing towards higher speeds (such as 500 meters per minute), challenging the cost-effectiveness of traditional printing.

AI and adaptive control: Optimizing printing parameters (such as pressure and ink volume) through artificial intelligence to adapt to different cardboard materials.

Sustainable development: Degradable ink and lightweight cardboard box design (reducing ink usage) have become the focus.

Integrated production line: printing, die-cutting, stacking and other processes are integrated to reduce intermediate links.

market drivers

E-commerce and logistics demand: Global e-commerce growth drives personalized printing of cardboard boxes (such as brand logos and anti-counterfeiting labels).

Environmental regulations: Restrictions on packaging inks and materials in various countries (such as the EU REACH regulation) are forcing technological upgrades.

Industrial cardboard carton printer slotter die cutter machines have evolved from inefficient manual operations to intelligent and green production, with greater emphasis on flexibility (small batch customization) and sustainability in the future. At the same time, the penetration rate of digital printing technology is expected to continue to increase.

If you are also interested in this machine,please don’t hesitate to contact us:

Overseas manager: Tom Wang

Email:cartonmachine.tomwang@aliyun.com

Phone/Wechat/Whatsapp:+86 13303078975