The RotaMesh and RotaPlate technologies are both trademarks of SPGPrints, and enable rotary screen printing, offering customers of all types a high-quality and cost-effective solution. Selecting the appropriate screen type is crucial for meeting the changing demands of the label market and delivering the products your customers want. SPGPrints offers two main screen types, each with unique features that are suited to different applications: RotaMesh and RotaPlate.

RotaMesh®: Robust and re-engravable 

The RotaMesh screen is known as the workhorse among screens. It is available in seamless and welded executions, with a printing width up to 900 mm (the seamless variants even up to 2,6 meters). Provided with different types of emulsion and with thicknesses up to 250 microns, this screen gives you the ultimate freedom for your print work. The welded seam reduces the risk of breaks, extending the lifespan of the screen. On top of that, Rotamesh screens are re-engravable for multiple uses and available in seamless designs for endless patterns. 

RotaPlate®: Pre-coated nickel screen

The second solution, the RotaPlate screen, comes as a pre-coated mesh material in several widths up to 800mm, on a roll or in sheets. This ensures flexible and easy in-house engraving. The RotaPlate screen has a glued seam and is designed for shorter runs and one-time use or engraving. It has 40% more holes per square centimeter than corresponding woven screens, which results in 15% more precise ink transfer onto the substrate. This leads to sharper fine prints and smoother solids. RotaPlate allows you to print faster at a higher quality.

The latest addition: RotaPlate® Wide™ 

To meet customer demand, label printers are moving towards wider presses that enable them to
increase their production capacity. Why the shift? It’s all about numbers. By using wider presses,
label printers can fit more labels per run, which translates to higher productivity and efficiency. In response to these clear market demands, SPGPrints has introduced RotaPlate® Wide™ . 

Key Benefits of RotaPlate® Wide™:

• Provides producers with the ability to print on widths up to 620 mm, significantly increasing output and productivity.
• Offers a more cost-effective solution compared to other screen types, delivering operational efficiencies and cost savings.
• Designed for flexibility and quick turnaround, making it a suitable solution for manufacturers looking to respond rapidly to shifting market demands.

But that's not all! Curious about the other benefits? Check out our dedicated RotaPlate® Wide guide:
 

Rotaplate vs. Rotamesh: a comparison

To successfully navigate the shift towards higher efficiency, wider presses and flexible packaging,
label printers must address several technical demands. Here’s how each screen type compares
on several key considerations:

Reduced downtime & consistency

Minimising downtime is critical for maintaining high productivity and ensuring products are delivered
on time and on budget for every client.

• RotaMesh®: Offers excellent durability with its welded seam, which makes it suitable for long runs.
• RotaPlate®: Good for shorter runs and has a well-known pre-press workflow.

High quality printing

High-resolution prints are crucial for brand consistency and appeal. Customers demand consistent
quality printed labels and outputs and printers need to deliver it.

• RotaMesh®: Delivers high-quality prints with precise and controlled ink deposition.
• RotaPlate®: Comes very close to RotaMesh printing quality.

Re-use for repeat orders

Customers want guarantees of consistency in repeat orders, which is key due to shorter production
runs and just-in-time delivery.

• RotaMesh®: High durability means that the screen can be used for longer and multiple print runs.
  When a design is finished, the screen can be re-engraved for a new job.
• RotaPlate®: Limited reuse possibilities, primarily for one-time engraving.

Find the screen that best meets your needs

Hopefully, this blog helped you to get a clearer picture of the differences between the two screen types. Do you need more in-depth information? Or do you have further questions about the applicability or sizes of RotaMesh or RotaPlate screens for your production processes? Our experts are there to help.