ROTOGRAVURE
With gravure printing (rotogravure) an image is etched or engraved on the surface of a steel-copper-chromium cylinder. The whole is protected by a hard layer of chrome. The etched area is filled with ink, then the cylinder is rotated in an ink pan and on one side the not engraved part is 'swiped clean' with a steel doctor blade. With a soft counter pressure cylinder the material is pressed against the engraved cylinder to transfer the image to the paper or the film. Rotogravure can print continuous patterns. The number of cylinders to be used depends on the type of printing and final result that needs to be achieved. Vitra is the proud owner of engraving machines that can handle up to 8 colours.
Rotogravure provides the finest grid and photographic printing quality. Compared with flexoprint we can often print the same image with less colours. Engraving is frequently used for printing larger quantities or images that require a certain technical specification. Vitra can print in flexo, as well as in rotogravure and therefore in dialogue with the customer, we search for the best and most efficient production technique.
