Can a Stack Flexo Printing Machine Print PE, PP, CPP and PET Film?

Yes. A properly configured stack flexo printing machine can print PE, PP, BOPP, CPP and PET films. However, whether a stack flexographic press is the right choice depends on more than the film material itself.

Film thickness, web width, number of colors, printing speed, register requirements, ink system, drying capacity, surface treatment and downstream processes such as lamination can all affect the recommended machine configuration.

For flexible packaging converters, the better question is not simply whether a stack flexo press can print plastic film. It is:

This guide explains how stack flexo printing works with PE, PP, BOPP, CPP and PET films, what machine specifications matter, and when a CI flexo press may be more appropriate.

Yes. Stack flexo printing machines can be configured for a wide range of flexible-film applications.

On mobile, this comparison stacks by row for easier reading.

Printed flexible-film samples from LISHG presses — PE, BOPP, PET and laminated packaging structures:

A 30-micron PE film running at high speed with demanding multi-color register presents very different technical requirements from a thicker film printed at a lower speed.

The machine should therefore be selected from the complete production specification.

1. PE Film

PE, or polyethylene, is one of the most widely used substrates in flexible packaging.

Common PE applications include:

PE film can be relatively soft and stretch-sensitive. During flexographic printing, excessive or unstable web tension can cause film deformation and color-to-color register problems.

For PE film printing, converters should evaluate:

2. PP and BOPP Film

PP stands for polypropylene, while BOPP means biaxially oriented polypropylene.

BOPP is widely used in flexible packaging because of its combination of optical properties, mechanical strength and packaging performance.

Typical applications include:

A stack flexo press can print PP and BOPP when its web-handling, ink and drying systems are properly matched to the substrate.

3. CPP Film

CPP means cast polypropylene.

CPP is commonly used in flexible packaging as a sealing or functional layer and is frequently found in laminated structures.

Typical applications include:

When CPP is printed, the converter should consider:

If the printed CPP will be laminated after printing, the printing process must be considered as part of the complete converting process.

4. PET Film

PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate.

PET has good dimensional stability and is widely used in flexible packaging and laminated packaging structures.

Typical applications include:

PET is generally more dimensionally stable than many thin PE films, but the printing process still requires appropriate control of web tension, ink selection, drying, printing pressure, anilox specification and register.

The correct configuration depends on the PET grade, thickness, printing requirements and final packaging structure.

A stack flexographic printing machine is not suitable for plastic film simply because "PE" or "PET" appears on the specification sheet.

The printing result depends on several systems working together.

Web Tension Control

Web tension is one of the most important variables when printing flexible films.

A stable tension system helps control:

The thinner and more stretch-sensitive the film, the more carefully the tension range needs to be controlled.

Corona Treatment

Many plastic films have relatively low surface energy. Without adequate surface treatment, ink may have difficulty wetting and adhering to the film.

Corona treatment is commonly used to increase surface energy and improve ink wetting and adhesion.

For plastic-film printing, corona treatment should be evaluated together with:

Ink and Drying System

Plastic film is generally non-porous, so the ink cannot simply absorb into the substrate as it can with many paper materials.

The flexo press therefore needs an appropriate combination of:

The required drying configuration depends on the ink type, number of colors, coverage, film and production speed.

If the printed film will be laminated, ink drying becomes even more important because the printing quality can affect the performance of the finished laminated structure.

Register Control

Multi-color flexible packaging requires consistent color-to-color register.

Register stability can be affected by:

Yes, but thin-film printing requires more careful machine configuration.

Thin PE, BOPP and other flexible films can be sensitive to tension and deformation.

When evaluating a stack flexo press for thin film, ask the manufacturer about:

A machine's maximum mechanical speed should not be treated as the guaranteed production speed for every substrate.

This is one of the most important decisions when purchasing a flexographic printing machine.

Both stack and CI flexographic presses can print plastic film, but their mechanical architectures are different.

A stack press arranges the printing units in a stack configuration. A CI press uses a large central impression cylinder to support the web as it passes through multiple printing units.

The appropriate architecture depends on the application.

On mobile, this comparison stacks by row for easier reading.

The correct decision depends on the combination of:

For thin, stretch-sensitive PE or BOPP films with demanding multi-color register and high production volumes, CI architecture should be seriously evaluated because continuous web support can be advantageous. See MASTER gearless CI and the wider CI Flexo range.

For applications where production flexibility, mixed substrates, modularity or investment level are more important, a stack press can be a practical solution.

A stack flexo press can be suitable when a converter needs a flexible machine capable of handling multiple substrates and production requirements.

Typical reasons to consider a stack configuration include:

Stack selection summary:

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LISHG's HONOR Stack Flexo platform is designed for applications involving flexible films and other packaging substrates. Depending on configuration, the platform is available in classic, servo and sleeve configurations, allowing the press to be matched to different production requirements.

A CI flexo press deserves consideration when your production is primarily focused on high-volume flexible packaging and demanding film applications.

Typical factors include:

CI evaluation checklist:

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LISHG provides several CI flexographic press configurations alongside its Stack Flexo range, including MASTER and KING.

Before requesting a quotation, prepare the following information.

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If the printed film will be laminated, the printing machine should be specified with the complete packaging structure in mind.

Important considerations include:

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LISHG develops both Stack Flexo and CI Flexo printing machines, allowing converters to select the press architecture according to their production requirements.

Available configurations can include:

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For applications requiring higher production performance or demanding thin-film register, LISHG also provides CI flexographic platforms such as MASTER and KING.

A stack type flexo printing machine can print PE, PP, BOPP, CPP and PET film. But the material name alone does not determine whether a stack flexo press is the right solution.

For converters looking for a flexible, modular solution across multiple substrates, a stack flexo press can be a practical choice.

For high-volume applications involving thin, stretch-sensitive films and demanding multi-color register, a CI flexo press may also be worth evaluating. LISHG provides both Stack Flexo and CI Flexo printing platforms, allowing the press architecture to be matched to the actual application.