Product selector methodology
The 7-step flexo product selector ranks live LISHG catalog models using substrate, volume, quality, changeover, and line-architecture answers. This guide explains what each step means, how recommendations are formed, and how to turn a shortlist into a defensible RFQ. It is the decision-tool counterpart to the numeric calculators on /tools.
What the seven steps capture
6 stepsPrimary substrate
separates film-dominated flexible packaging from paper/board and mixed plants. Film answers bias toward CI platforms (gearless or servo); paper and board keep Honor stack and mixed lines in play.
Daily production volume
a coarse throughput band, not a full OEE model. High volume pushes higher-speed CI families; low volume keeps versatile stack or mid-tier CI visible. For precise meters, run the capacity calculator with the same intent.
Register and quality tier
whether you need premium gearless register stability, solid mid-market CI, or pragmatic stack tolerances. Do not pick the top tier “just in case” if art is mostly solids.
Job changeover frequency
sleeve and anilox logistics. High changeover favors automation and quick-change CI; low changeover tolerates longer make-ready on fewer SKUs.
CI versus stack preference
a hard architectural constraint. If undecided, choose the option closest to your dominant substrate and let ranking show alternatives on the conclusion page.
Sub-series selection
narrows Master, King, Ultra, Mix, Honor, and related families once architecture is known. The final step reviews ranked machines from the live catalog, not a static brochure table.
How ranking logic works
Answers map into a decision profile that scores series and models against application fit, automation level, and catalog availability. Live product cards supply width, color, and speed envelopes so discontinued or irrelevant SKUs do not dominate.
The selector does not optimize net present value. Pair it with the ROI and capacity calculators when finance needs months-to-payback and annual m² proof.
Recommendations update as you change steps. If you bounce between film and paper mid-wizard, expect the shortlist to swing—finish with the substrate you will actually install first.
- Profile ← substrate + volume + quality + changeover + architecture.
- Scores applied to live catalog cards, not frozen PDF specs.
- Conclusion URL stores answers for sharing with procurement and AI agents.
- Always verify dryer, infeed, and ink system on the quote.
Typical decision paths
Three converter profiles cover most first-pass runs. Match the closest path, then challenge speed and deck count with the numeric tools.
- Path A
High-speed film CI
Flexible films, high volume, high register quality, moderate-to-low changeover, CI line, then a gearless-oriented sub-series. Expect Master/King-class recommendations. Attach capacity at 300–450 m/min and ROI versus gravure if that is your baseline.
- Path B
Mixed SKU pouch plant
Films + medium volume + high changeover push automation and quick sleeve workflows. Quality tier should match your most demanding retailer artwork, not your easiest SKU. Use ink and anilox tools on a hero SKU before locking deck count.
- Path C
Labels and board on stack
Paper/board substrate, lower speed bands, and stack preference surface Honor-class machines. Keep expectations on 150–220 m/min class performance and emphasize access and cost control in the RFQ narrative.
From selector to conclusion and quote
Complete the wizard to open the selection conclusion page with criteria, recommended model, and alternatives. That page is designed for procurement packets and AI citation—keep the query string intact when sharing.
Request a quote with substrate, width, colors, target speed, and links to any calculator outputs. Engineers will challenge assumptions faster when the decision trail is complete.
Decision biases to avoid
Do not answer “high volume” and “ultra quality” on every step by default. Inflated answers push CapEx toward premium gearless platforms even when your art and forecast do not require them. Honest mid-tier answers produce shorter, more actionable shortlists.
Do not lock architecture before substrate. Choosing stack while answering “thin film at high speed” creates contradictory profiles. If you are exploring both CI and stack, run the wizard twice and compare conclusions side by side.
Do not treat the first-ranked model as the only buyable machine. Alternatives exist so you can discuss delivery, deck count, and budget bands. Bring at least one alternative to the sales call.
Mapping selector answers to numeric tools
Use the selector for architecture fit, then prove the shortlist with quantitative tools before the RFQ leaves your plant.
- Volume band→ Capacity calculatortranslate high/medium/low into m/min, shifts, and efficiency for your plant.Open tool →
- Quality tier→ Anilox / Inkfiner screens and tighter volume control after the shortlist exists; run on a hero SKU.Open tool →
- Changeover frequency→ ROI calculatoremphasize waste and plate economics in baselines, not only energy.Open tool →
- Architecture→ Video proofwatch CI and stack demos that match your conclusion before FAT travel is booked.Open tool →
Live catalog caveats
Recommendations use published catalog cards (speed, width, colors, series). Custom builds can exceed card envelopes—tell sales when you need a non-standard width or deck count so engineering can confirm feasibility outside the card.
If the catalog updates after you share a conclusion URL, re-run before signing. The conclusion is a snapshot of ranking inputs plus then-current cards.
Step-by-step answering tips
- Substratepick the material that will run the most meters in year one—not every material you might try someday.
- Volumeif you are between bands, choose the lower band and validate with the capacity calculator; it is easier to justify an upgrade later than to over-buy now.
- Qualitymatch the strictest retailer or pharmaceutical artwork you must win, not the average job.
- Changeovercount typical plate/sleeve changes per day on the busiest line you are relieving.
- Architectureif 70%+ of meters are thin film at speed, start CI; if labels/board dominate, start stack; if truly mixed, run both paths.
- Sub-serieswhen unsure, pick the mid family and compare alternatives on the conclusion page rather than stalling inside the wizard.
Handoff language for sales engineers
A useful handoff sentence looks like: “Film-dominant, high volume, high register, frequent changeovers, CI preference—selector ranked [model]; capacity assumes 320 m/min at 75% OEE on 1,300 mm; ROI versus gravure at 5e6 m²/year.”
That single sentence encodes selector, capacity, and ROI context. Add ink/anilox notes only when the RFQ includes process design, not merely machine supply.
If the buyer is still comparing stack versus CI, send two conclusion URLs rather than one blurred compromise profile.