Flexographic printers know that choosing the right 3M mounting tape can make all the difference in a print run. It can mean the difference between efficiency and lost time, fast and slow changeovers, a passable print job, and industry-leading quality.
Your mounting tape can even make a difference in employee safety!
Bottom line: We can’t overstate the importance of choosing the right plate mounting tape. Perhaps that’s why we’re “stuck” on the innovation from 3M mounting tape. Let’s dig into why we like it so much.
3M Mounting Tape: The Basics
3M mounting tape was developed for high-speed flexographic printing. This tape, sometimes called “stickyback tape,” is used to adhere plates to the flexographic sleeve or cylinder.
Adhesion
Plate mounting tape needs to strike the right balance to meet printers’ needs. It needs to be sticky enough to adhere the plate securely to the cylinder, but at the end of the job, it needs to release easily without tearing the plate or leaving trace residue behind.
3M mounting tape offers four adhesive systems, allowing printers to select the optimal adhesion for their job and budget. The company’s newest innovation, its Pro-Series Plate Mounting Tape, provides high-performance adhesion while offering unprecedented ease in sleeve-side demounting.
Shock Absorption
3M mounting tape also serves as an essential buffer between the printing plate and the cylinder. It comes in a range of foam densities, engineered for compression and recovery, designed to:
- Reduce machine vibrations
- Minimize bounce
- Prevent vibration marks
- Absorb minor irregularities in the print cylinder
- Maintain shape at high speed and over long print runs
Different foam densities provide different print performances. For example, solid ink coverage works best with higher-density foam, while fine screens need softer 3M mounting tape for precise ink transfer.
3M Cushion-Mount™ mounting tape offers eight foam densities to fine-tune ink transfer and achieve the highest print quality possible.
Why We Recommend 3M Mounting Tape
Faster Mounting
3M mounting tape uses a proprietary crosshatch design that creates microchannels in the adhesive. This helps air bubbles escape between the tape and the plate, leading to faster setup and cleaner print quality.
Better Hold
The specially formulated adhesive on 3M mounting tape limits edge lift, ensuring a more secure run—even on small repeats.
Easier Removal
Removing flexographic plates in one undamaged piece lets you reuse rather than remake plates, saving time and money. 3M Cushion-Mount L-Series and Pro-Series mounting tapes are optimized to prevent edge lift, making plates up to 78% easier* to remove, reducing the risk of tearing.
Safer for Your Operators
In addition, Pro-Series mounting tapes require up to 54% less force** for removal from the sleeve. This creates a safer, more ergonomic work environment for your employees, reducing the physical strain required to demount plates.
Innovation and Evolution
The engineers at 3M continually innovate to improve performance. They listen to feedback from the field and refine products like 3M mounting tape to meet evolving industry needs.
When you want the latest in plate mounting solutions that save time and money and enhance worker safety, 3M mounting tape is your go-to choice.
Contact Anderson & Vreeland for 3M Mounting Tape Solutions
Anderson & Vreeland sells more sticky back tape to flexo printers than any other distributor. Our specialists will recommend the appropriate 3M mounting tape for your specific press and print job needs. Call us today for a consultation or demonstration.
*Compared to 3M™ Cushion-Mount™ Plus H-Series
**Compared to 3M™ Cushion-Mount™ Plus H-Series, E-Series, & L-Series
