Adding value in a single pass with flexo

Customers expect speed, consistency, and the ability to adapt to multiple formats and materials without delay. As packaging portfolios expand and turnaround times shrink, converters need production systems that can shift effortlessly between applications without sacrificing quality or control.

That’s where single-pass flexo proves its value.

Modern flexo platforms like Edale’s CartonLine are engineered to handle a remarkable range of substrates, from lightweight filmic materials to rigid carton board. This wide substrate capability allows converters to produce everything from folding cartons and sleeves to wraparounds, tags, and flexible pouches on the same system. It’s a game-changer for printers managing diverse customer portfolios or looking to diversify into new markets without investing in multiple presses.

At the core of this versatility lies precision web control. The CartonLine’s advanced servo-driven tension management keeps perfect register and print stability, automatically compensating for material differences in thickness or stretch. Operators can move from 350gsm board to 12-micron film in minutes, not hours, with minimal waste. Automated adjustments ensure consistent print quality, sharp detail, and accurate colour reproduction across every job.

The CartonLine’s modular drying and curing systems also adapt seamlessly to different ink and coating types, while its quick-change tooling and intelligent automation mean faster job changeovers and less downtime. Leaving you with a press that moulds itself to the production schedule, not the other way around.

Being able to switch between materials and applications doesn’t just create operational efficiency, it opens the door to new business opportunities. One day the press could be producing premium cartons with embossed logos and tactile varnish, the next it might run clear-on-clear labels or short-run flexible wraps for promotional campaigns.

This agility is particularly valuable as brands demand more SKUs, shorter runs, and faster response times. Converters can quote for a wider range of work, maximise press utilisation, and serve multiple sectors, from luxury packaging and FMCG to personal care and food, all from one platform.

For customers, this flexibility translates to confidence. They know their converter can adapt quickly to shifting market needs, seasonal spikes, or design changes without disruption. For converters, it means higher margins, stronger customer retention, and less capital tied up in idle assets.

The environmental impact of this adaptability shouldn’t be overlooked either. Producing multiple applications on a single machine reduces material waste, setup times, and energy consumption. Fewer press changeovers mean less substrate wasted during registration, and fewer production stages mean reduced transport between processes.

As sustainability targets tighten, the ability to run multiple packaging formats on one energy-efficient press supports both operational and environmental goals. It’s another reason why single-pass flexo has become the smart choice for converters balancing performance, profitability, and responsibility.

The modern converter needs technology that doesn’t just keep up, it keeps them ahead. With its broad substrate compatibility and adaptable configuration, Edale’s CartonLine delivers that flexibility in full.

Whether you’re printing cartons, sleeves, or high-impact promotional materials, flexo gives you the agility to meet market demand, win new business, and do it all with outstanding quality and efficiency.