SPGPrints Highlights Key Differences Between RotaPlate And RotaMesh For Label Printers

As label converters face growing pressure from shorter print runs, faster changeovers and rising cost constraints, SPGPrints has outlined key considerations for selecting the right rotary screen technology. The company says choosing between its RotaPlate and RotaMesh screen systems has become a strategic decision for label printers seeking to balance productivity, quality and flexibility.

Both RotaMesh and RotaPlate are SPGPrints trademarks and are designed to deliver high-quality, cost-effective rotary screen printing. However, each solution is optimised for different production needs. RotaMesh is positioned as a robust, long-life screen suited for extended and repeat runs, while RotaPlate is designed for speed, ease of engraving and shorter production cycles.

RotaMesh screens are available in seamless and welded constructions, with printing widths of up to 900 mm and, in seamless versions, up to 2.6 metres. Offered with multiple emulsion types and thicknesses of up to 250 microns, RotaMesh provides wide flexibility in print applications. Its welded seam improves durability and reduces the risk of breakage, while its re-engraveable nature allows repeated use across multiple jobs, making it a preferred choice for long runs and repeat orders.

RotaPlate, by contrast, is supplied as a pre-coated nickel mesh available in widths of up to 800 mm, either on rolls or in sheets, enabling fast and flexible in-house engraving. Designed primarily for short runs and one-time use, RotaPlate features a glued seam and offers around 40 per cent more holes per square centimetre than comparable woven screens. According to SPGPrints, this results in approximately 15 per cent more precise ink transfer, producing sharper fine details and smoother solid areas, while also supporting higher printing speeds.

Responding to the industry’s shift toward wider presses, SPGPrints has recently introduced RotaPlate Wide, developed to support printing widths of up to 620 mm. The company says the new format enables higher output and productivity, while offering a cost-effective solution for label printers seeking faster turnaround times and greater operational efficiency.

In terms of performance, SPGPrints notes that RotaMesh excels in durability and consistency, helping minimise downtime during long production runs. RotaPlate, meanwhile, benefits from a streamlined and familiar pre-press workflow, making it well suited for short runs and frequent job changes. While RotaMesh remains the benchmark for high-quality and controlled ink deposition, RotaPlate delivers print quality that comes close, particularly in fine detail and solid coverage.

SPGPrints said that as label printers adapt to wider presses, flexible packaging formats and just-in-time delivery models, understanding the strengths of each screen type will be essential to optimising productivity and meeting evolving brand requirements.