For more than 13 years, FlexoTechs, a trusted print plate manufacturer based just south of Seattle in Renton, Washington, has used its tenure expertise and modernized creativity to innovate beyond the customer’s expectations. Combining decades of expertise, cutting-edge creativity, and streamlined customer service, FlexoTechs consistently delivers quality results.
As the only print plate trade shop in the Pacific Northwest that offers both liquid and sheet polymer print plates, FlexoTechs’ service is friendly, reliable, and tailored not only to the end customer’s needs but also to the needs of the manufacturing team and press operators at the box plant.
FlexoTechs has become a regional leader in flexo plate manufacturing, serving customers across Washington and Oregon with precision, consistency, and a focus on innovation.
Building Industry Leadership Through Flexo Plate Manufacturing
Since their founding in 2011, FlexoTechs quickly developed leadership in the industry, working with box plants and end customers of all kinds, staying committed to their promise of providing exceptional customer service and print plate expertise that meets the customer’s needs. Their innovation within the industry is in thanks in part to Anderson & Vreeland as well.
Anderson & Vreeland (A&V), a leading distributor of flexographic print materials for more than 60 years, has been a valued business partner with FlexoTechs for going on 10 years now. Serving FlexoTechs as a reliable supplier of liquid resin and other print materials, A&V has also provided key insights into the market advantages of using sheet plates alongside the current use of liquid plates. This strong collaboration continues to elevate FlexoTechs’ position in the flexo plate manufacturing space.
The People Behind the Flexo Plate Manufacturing Process
FlexoTechs’ success comes from longevity within the company and a dedicated team led by two individuals who truly have a passion for the industry. Mike Rogers, the Operations Manager, and Dina Carnes, the General Manager, have spent over a decade developing the business with a strong passion for the industry, using their unique knowledge of corrugated box plants and print design to provide top-tier design services for their clientele.
Mike Rogers entered the workforce working in the corrugated industry, building flat-bed cutting dies for his father’s cutting die shop as a teenager. In 2017, Mike Rogers was hired as a Graphic Designer for FlexoTechs. He had a heavy background in color processing and had worked his way up through various box printers. After two years, Rogers was promoted to Operations Manager. Right away, he began working towards his goal to build a solid, dedicated crew and grow sales to the outside world with Dina Carnes, General Manager at FlexoTechs.
Dina Carnes started working in paper mills on the East Coast of the country, where she honed her craft as an Electrical Engineer, from which she graduated from South Carolina University with a degree in Engineering. She was hired as a Manufacturing Engineer at Alliance Packaging in 2001. She continued working in the corrugated industry, where she became a Plant Manager at Kapstone before returning to Alliance Packaging, supporting special projects, and then becoming the General Manager of FlexoTechs and DieTechs (the Steel Rule Cutting Die Division).
Together, Dina Carnes and Mike Rogers worked closely to expand the capabilities of the plate shop — embodying strong leadership in modern flexo plate manufacturing.
Partnering with Anderson & Vreeland to Advance Flexo Plate Manufacturing
In 2019, Mike Rogers partnered with A&V Account Manager, Shelly Swanke, to switch over their liquid resin to be 100% AVantage Liquid Polymer after trialing it for some time. From there, they started to consolidate other materials to improve the total cost takeout strategy and formed a partnership for better insight on how to bring sheet plate making in-house.
A&V provided FlexoTechs with an abundance of resources to help them learn more about the sheet plate making process, current industry standards for trade shops, enable plate trial tests, and connect them with other trade shops to improve efficiency. This collaboration marked a milestone in flexo plate manufacturing innovation, giving FlexoTechs the ability to streamline production while maintaining exceptional output quality.
Investing in Equipment and Efficiency
FlexoTechs worked with A&V to order an XSYS ThermoFlexX80 (TFFX80) digital imager with Multiplate Software, Vianord EVO 5 Plate Processing System, and nyloflex® FTL D Sheet Plates. The FTL plates were recognized as a crowd favorite after trialing all other available materials. They performed well with process printing, screen transfers, and ink coverage, and showed reduced fluting in comparison to competitive plates in the market.
Mike Rogers also stated that after seeing the ThermoFlexX in action at another shop’s facility, he knew right away that they wanted to incorporate it into their plate-making process. “The ThermoFlexX gives us a competitive edge by letting us produce up to 5080 DPI and multiple LPI resolutions on the same run with minimal effort. It also helps us keep overhead low because of all the built-in automation and dual laser heads. The
Multiplate Software has also decreased the number of steps in the plate room because it’s so seamless—our Production Artists organize all of the plates on burns ahead of time, allowing the plate maker to focus on plate making alone. The ThermoFlexX’s display being visible in the office makes scheduling a breeze. There’s no more guessing involved.”
Incorporating advanced imaging systems like the ThermoFlexX80 and the Vianord EVO 5 further established FlexoTechs as a forward-thinking leader in flexo plate manufacturing technology.
Setting a Standard in Flexo Plate Manufacturing Excellence
After consulting with FlexoTechs on what was needed from the insurance aspect of the build-out for the new sheet plate equipment, A&V proposed the Vianord system. The Vianord is the latest in plate processing, offering a separate tank for the black mask of the FTL material and enhanced efficiency in washing plates out. Dina Carnes used her engineering expertise and understanding of manufacturing plants to successfully navigate Washington State’s rigid regulations.
The result is a plate shop that operates at peak efficiency, upholding the highest standards in flexo plate manufacturing across the country.
Continuing Innovation and Collaboration
When looking back at the install, Shelly Swanke remarked, “The technical resources at A&V, coupled with the vision of productivity and quality at FlexoTechs created the perfect synergy to bring the project to fruition. The end result is a true example of partnership and collaboration.”
Looking forward, Mike Rogers is certain the company can help bridge the gap for smaller box plants competing against the giants. “It’s not uncommon for trade shops to hold artwork ransom, limiting the amount of business to another box plant, but our new Contex high-res scanner can help us quickly recreate artwork in a breeze compared to normal methods,” Mike explained.
“By focusing on our prepress production and investing in artwork recreation, we can rework digital preprint, flexo preprint, and create direct flexo print-ready artwork for the customer that can increase margins for the box plants. By being able to scan the physical sample in one motion, it increases our ability to help the customer out quicker and more efficiently.”
This approach further demonstrates how flexo plate manufacturing at FlexoTechs evolves through technology, creativity, and customer focus.
Flexo Plate Manufacturing in the Pacific Northwest
With A&V as a partner, FlexoTechs can continue to expand their capabilities across the board through innovation and versatility. A&V’s local warehouses were vital in fine-tuning their forecasted usage. In addition to supplying both liquid and sheet photopolymer, their consultative approach continues to help provide solutions to real-life challenges, bringing FlexoTechs’ vision of efficient flexo plate manufacturing to life through seamless installation and expert guidance.
As they venture forward, FlexoTechs invites customers in the Pacific Northwest to reach out for their flexo print and plate-making needs. They offer a variety of services and are based in Washington and Oregon. If you happen to be in the area, they’re happy to give a tour!
Partner with Anderson & Vreeland to bring innovation and precision to your flexo plate manufacturing. Our expert team can help you modernize production, streamline processes, and strengthen your competitive edge—just like FlexoTechs. Contact us today to start your journey toward a more efficient, productive flexographic operation.
