Copper Plating

We offer precision copper plating for rotogravure cylinders using electrolytic deposition in a copper sulfate solution. The cylinder is uniformly coated with copper by applying direct current (DC), ensuring a smooth surface ideal for high-resolution engraving. Industry best practices are followed to obtain ideal plating thickness range, optimized for durability, sharp image transfer, and consistent print performance.

Engraving

Engraving is the process of creating tiny recessed cells on the copper-plated cylinder surface. These cells hold ink and help transfer sharp, detailed images during printing. We use diamond-cutting engraving technology to control the depth, shape, and placement of each cell, ensuring high-quality and consistent print results.

Chrome Plating

Chrome plating forms a hard, wear-resistant layer over the engraved copper surface, protecting the cells and ensuring consistent ink transfer during high-speed printing. The process uses electrolytic deposition of chromium from a chromic acid solution to enhance durability and extend cylinder life. Deeper cells deliver higher ink volume for rich colors, while shallower cells reduce ink density for lighter tones.

Proofing

• Proofing is a critical step in rotogravure cylinder production, where the engraved cylinder is tested to ensure it matches the approved design and print output shared by the customer. This process verifies cell accuracy, tonal range, and image clarity before final delivery.
• Our clients consistently report a lower rejection rate compared to competitors, enabling faster approvals and on-time delivery of high-quality engraving cylinders.

Pre-Press

• Customer satisfaction is our highest priority, and we focus on delivering high-precision print-ready designs. Our pre-press team includes experts with 15+ years of experience in rotogravure and packaging design.
• We use advanced pre-press software like Esko Graphics, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe photoshop, and CorelDRAW to ensure accurate artwork separation, trapping, and layout—delivering superior-quality engraving cylinders every time.

Dechrome

• At Printile Industries, we perform controlled dechrome processing to safely remove the chrome layer from used rotogravure cylinders. This is done using a reverse electrolysis method in a chromic acid solution, where direct current (DC) is applied to dissolve the chrome without damaging the underlying copper surface.
• This process ensures the cylinder is fully prepared for re-plating, re-engraving, re-polishing, and —extending cylinder life and reducing production costs.