Gravure cylinders – precision-engineered for your application
We manufacture gravure cylinders so that they work seamlessly in your production process - reproducible, durable, and precisely tailored to your application.
Gravure cylinders – tailored to your production needs
A gravure cylinder is always part of a complex overall system. It is not just the engraving that matters, but the interplay of materials, geometry, and processes.
That is why we manufacture your cylinders individually according to technical specifications:
- tailored to your printing process
- adapted to your material and ink behavior
- designed for repeatability and service life
- suitable for your machines and processes
From single cylinders to series production, you receive a solution that integrates seamlessly into your production process.
Gravure cylinders of the highest precision
Custom manufacturing instead of a standard solution
We manufacture gravure cylinders in a wide range of sizes – from small formats to large-scale industrial applications.
- Web widths from under 150 mm to over 5,000 mm
- Circumference sizes up to over 2,000 mm
- Custom manufacturing or series production
Manufacturing is based on steel cores that are precisely machined.
Technical Construction of a Gravure Cylinder
The manufacturing process follows a clearly defined procedure:
- Starting point: Steel core (new or reconditioned)
- Copper plating: Basis for the engraving
- Printing form: Electromechanical or laser etching
- Chrome plating: For wear protection and extended service life
The result is a cylinder that delivers consistent results even at high printing speeds.
Engraving methods for gravure cylinders
We rely on two proven processes:
- Electromechanical engraving
- Laser etching
Both processes enable the creation of halftone patterns, color gradients, microstructures, and complex printed designs.
Precision and repeatability
Our gravure cylinders are manufactured to tight tolerances.
- Manufacturing with micrometer-level precision
- High repeatability of designs and textures
- Consistent quality across production runs
This ensures stable printing processes and reduces waste and setup times.
Typical applications for gravure cylinders
Our gravure cylinders are used in a variety of industries, such as:
- Packaging printing
- Labels (e.g., beer labels)
The basic principle is always the same:
An image is broken down into individual colors – each color corresponds to its own cylinder.
Our Cylinder Reconditioning
A large portion of production is based on existing cylinders.
Instead of manufacturing new blanks, existing cylinders are reused:
- Removing the chrome plating from the surface
- Removing the old engraving
- Reapplying the copper layer
- New engraving and chrome plating
This significantly reduces costs and shortens delivery times.
Quality Assurance and Control
Every gravure cylinder is inspected before shipment:
- Visual inspection of the surface
- Measurement of texture and engraving depth
- Documentation in cylinder reports
In addition, a test print can be made to check the final print image in advance.
The benefits of our gravure cylinders
Your Request – Custom Gravure Cylinders
Do you need a gravure cylinder that’s perfectly suited to your application?
Then send us the key details of your project.
We’ll review your requirements and get back to you with specific questions or a tailored quote.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gravure Cylinders
How is a gravure cylinder made?
A steel core is copper-plated, engraved, and then chrome-plated. The engraving is done either electromechanically or using a laser etching process.
How many cylinders are needed for a print design?
A separate cylinder is required for each ink color. A design therefore often consists of several cylinders.
Can existing gravure cylinders be reused?
Yes. Cylinders can be dechromed, recoated, and re-engraved. This is cost-effective and saves time.
How precise are the engravings?
Manufacturing is carried out with micrometer precision, enabling a very high degree of repeatability.
What sizes are available?
From small cylinders to large formats with bale widths of several meters, anything is possible.
How quickly are gravure cylinders ready for use?
That depends on the project. By refurbishing existing cylinders, delivery times can often be shortened.
Our conclusion
Gravure cylinders are critical to the quality of your printing process.
They deliver consistent results only when they are precisely tailored to your needs.
We ensure that this is exactly what happens –
with technical precision, cost-effectiveness, and reliable reproducibility.