| Uses flexible printing plates |
Uses rigid printing cylinders |
| Plates are made of rubber or photopolymer |
Cylinders are made of copper or steel |
| Plates are less expensive than cylinders |
Cylinders are more expensive than plates |
| Plates are easier to change than cylinders |
Cylinders are more difficult to change than plates |
| Prints on a wide variety of substrates |
Prints primarily on paper and board |
| Capable of high-quality printing |
Capable of very high-quality printing |
| Faster printing speeds than gravure |
Slower printing speeds than flexography |
| Lower cost per impression than gravure |
Higher cost per impression than flexography |
