14 Apr 2026

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2 Colors Flexo Printing Machine for Plastic Bags | High-Speed Roll-to-Roll Flexographic Printer | PouchesMachine

2 Colors Flexo Printing Machine for Plastic Bags & Flexible Packaging

High-speed, roll-to-roll flexographic printing press designed for plastic bag manufacturers. Water-based ink compatible, CE-certified, with precision ±0.1mm registration — available in standard and inline configurations.

Factory Direct      CE Certified      Water-Based Ink Ready      Inline & Standard Configs      MOQ: 1 Unit
50
Max m/min Speed
±0.1
mm Registration
2
Print Stations
2000
Max Print Length (mm)
5+
Compatible Substrates
01

Product Overview

The 2 Colors Flexo Printing Machine from PouchesMachine is an industrial-grade, roll-to-roll flexographic press engineered specifically for plastic bag and flexible packaging manufacturers. It bridges the gap between affordable entry-level presses and industrial multi-color systems, delivering crisp two-color registration at throughput speeds suitable for mid-to-large production runs.

Unlike offset or gravure alternatives, this flexo press uses fast-drying water-based inks transferred via ceramic anilox rollers — making it the preferred choice for food-grade packaging, supermarket shopping bags, garment bags, and agricultural film that require eco-compliant printing without sacrificing speed or clarity.

Why choose a 2-color flexo over single-color? Two-color printing enables brand logo differentiation, regulatory text + color logo combination, and bilingual label printing — all without the capital investment of a 4- or 6-color system. For most private-label packaging, two colors cover 80% of commercial branding needs at 40% of the machine cost.
         

Factory run demo: 2-color flexo press printing HDPE shopping bag film at full production speed.

         

Inline configuration: flexo printing unit integrated directly with a plastic bag making machine line.

Flexo Printing Machine      2 Color Flexo Press      Roll-to-Roll Printer      Plastic Bag Printer      Water-Based Ink      HDPE Film Printing      LDPE Bag Printing      BOPP Film      Non-woven Printing      Flexographic Press
02

Standard vs. Inline Configuration

This machine is available in two distinct configurations to suit different factory floor layouts and production workflows:

FeatureStandard Type (Offline)Inline Type (with Extruder)
Max Speed60–70 m/min100 m/min
IntegrationStandalone roll-to-rollDirect connection to extrusion line
Rewinding Required Standard unwind/rewind Feeds directly from extruder
FootprintCompact, flexible placementIntegrated into main line
Best ForPre-printed roll stock, retrofit installsNew production lines, high-volume output
Print Modes0+2 / 1+10+2 / 1+1
Substrate Compatibility All standard films All standard films
Print Mode Explained: "0+2" means both print stations work on the same side of the film (front-only, 2-color). "1+1" means one station prints the front and one prints the back — ideal for gusseted or reverse-printed bags where branding appears on both faces.
03

Technical Specifications

ParameterSpecification
Number of Print Colors2 Colors (0+2 / 1+1 modes)
Max Printing Speed (Inline)100 m/min
Max Printing Speed (Standard)60–70 m/min
Max Print Length1,200 mm (custom options available)
Registration Accuracy±0.1 mm (servo-driven)
Ink SystemWater-based flexo ink (solvent-compatible on request)
Anilox RollerCeramic or steel, laser-engraved, lifespan >10M impressions
Plate TypePhotopolymer flexo plate, plate + adhesive: 2.28mm + 0.38mm
Plate Change Time<10 minutes (sleeve-type cylinder)
Web Tension ControlUltrasonic auto web guide 
Drying SystemHot air tunnel 
Control SystemManual
Drive SystemGear or timing belt synchronization
Unwinding/Rewinding DiameterUp to 1,300 mm
Substrate CompatibilityHDPE, LDPE, BOPP, PE film, non-woven, kraft paper, laminated film
CertificationCE Certified
CustomizationRoll width, plate cylinder size, color count expansion available

* Specifications are indicative. Contact us for configuration-specific datasheets and custom print length options above 1,200mm.

04

How the 2-Color Flexo Press Works

Flexographic printing transfers ink via a rotary process using flexible photopolymer plates. Understanding the mechanism helps operators optimize print quality and reduce waste on changeover.

01
Film Unwind
Roll film (HDPE, LDPE, BOPP, etc.) unwinds under servo-controlled tension for stable web tracking.
02
Ink Transfer
Ink from the tray fills the laser-engraved cells of the ceramic anilox roller, metered to exact volume by a doctor blade.
03
Plate Printing
Ink transfers from the anilox to the photopolymer plate cylinder, then onto the substrate — color 1 first, then color 2.
04
Hot-Air Drying
Each color station is followed by a hot-air tunnel that cures water-based ink instantly before the next station.
05
Rewind / Inline Feed
Printed film is rewound for bag-making (standard config) or fed directly into the downstream bag machine (inline config).
Key Differentiator — Servo-Driven Registration: Unlike older gear-driven presses, servo motors on each station allow independent speed adjustment, enabling ±0.1mm registration accuracy even at maximum speed. This is critical for multicolor logos, barcodes, and fine-line text that must align precisely across both print stations.
05

Key Features & Engineering Advantages

Servo-Driven ±0.1mm Registration

Servo motors on each print station deliver exceptional color-to-color alignment, enabling fine text, barcodes, and logo reproduction without manual re-registration during production.

Water-Based Ink Compatible

Fully designed for water-based flexo inks — low VOC emissions, food-safe compliance (FDA, EU), and reduced operator health risk. Solvent ink adapters available on request.

Ceramic Anilox Rollers

Laser-engraved ceramic anilox rollers deliver consistent ink metering over more than 10 million impressions — far outlasting chrome alternatives and reducing ink cost per bag.

PLC + HMI Touchscreen Control (Opitional)

Intuitive touchscreen interface for speed, tension, and temperature settings. Stores multiple job presets for fast changeover between different bag SKUs or customer orders.

Ultrasonic Web Guiding

Real-time edge detection and automatic lateral correction prevents print drift and misalignment during high-speed runs — essential for narrow-margin bag films.

<10 Min Plate Changeover

Sleeve-type plate cylinders allow complete printing plate changes in under 10 minutes, minimizing downtime between print jobs — critical for short-run or multi-SKU production environments.

06

Applications & Compatible Products

The 2-color flexo press is designed to integrate with a wide range of plastic bag manufacturing processes. Below are the most common end-products and use cases where this machine delivers direct ROI:

Supermarket Shopping Bags
HDPE / LDPE — store logos, barcodes
Garment Packaging Bags
PE film, self-seal styles
Agricultural Film
LDPE mulch/cover film branding
Food Packaging Bags
FDA/EU water-based ink compliant
Stand-Up Pouches
BOPP / laminated films
Non-Woven Bag Printing
PP non-woven reusable bags
Poly Mailers / Courier Bags
Co-extruded LDPE/HDPE film
Produce & Grocery Bags
T-shirt bag & roll bag format
07

Flexo vs. Gravure vs. Digital — Which Is Right for Plastic Bag Printing?

Choosing the right printing technology for plastic bags involves weighing print quality, run length, ink type, and total cost of ownership. This comparison is designed to help procurement managers make an informed decision:

Criteria2-Color FlexoRotogravureDigital Inkjet
Ideal Run LengthMid–Long (5,000m+)Very Long (50,000m+)Short (100–5,000m)
Setup CostLowHighVery Low
Plate/Cylinder CostLow (polymer plates)High (chrome cylinders)None
Water-Based Ink✓ Native~ Limited✓ Yes
Print SpeedHigh (100 m/min)Very HighLow–Medium
HDPE/LDPE Compatibility✓ Excellent✓ Excellent~ Good
Inline Integration✓ YesRarely~ Emerging
Best ForPlastic bags, pouches, reusable bagsPremium laminate packagingVariable data, prototypes

For the majority of plastic bag manufacturers producing mid-to-long runs with consistent branding, the 2-color flexo printing machine delivers the best combination of per-unit print cost, substrate flexibility, and eco-compliant ink usage.

08

Maintenance Guide & Best Practices

Consistent maintenance is the single largest variable in print quality consistency and machine lifespan. Our engineering team recommends the following schedule:

FrequencyTaskPurpose
After every shiftClean anilox rollers with approved wash solutionPrevent dried ink from plugging engraved cells
WeeklyLubricate all gears, guide rails, and bearing pointsPrevent wear, maintain registration accuracy
MonthlyCalibrate web tension sensors and doctor blade pressureEnsure consistent ink transfer and avoid streaking
MonthlyCheck drying tunnel temperature uniformityPrevent over/under-cure of water-based ink
QuarterlyInspect photopolymer plates; replace worn platesMaintain edge sharpness and color density
AnnuallyFull mechanical inspection by qualified technicianIdentify wear on servo drives, timing belts, cylinders
09

Frequently Asked Questions

The machine is compatible with HDPE, LDPE, BOPP, PE co-extruded film, non-woven PP fabric, kraft paper, and laminated films. Roll widths typically range from 200mm to 1,200mm; custom wider configurations are available on request. Substrate thickness range is 15–200 microns for film materials.
The standard machine is optimized for water-based flexo inks, which are preferred for environmental compliance and food-safe packaging. Solvent-based ink compatibility can be configured at the time of order by specifying appropriate sealing and ventilation modifications. We strongly recommend water-based for most plastic bag applications.
The inline configuration is designed to connect directly to an extrusion line or bag-making machine, allowing printed film to flow continuously into downstream production without rewinding. Maximum speed is 100 m/min. The standard (offline) configuration operates as a standalone roll-to-roll press, feeding from a supply roll and rewinding onto a take-up roll. It runs at 60–70 m/min and is the better choice for retrofit installations or pre-printed roll stock production.
With the sleeve-type plate cylinder design, a complete printing plate change on both stations can be completed in under 10 minutes. The machine uses standard photopolymer flexographic plates (plate + double-sided adhesive combined thickness: 2.28mm + 0.38mm). Plates are sourced from major suppliers including DuPont Cyrel, Flint, and MacDermid.
"0+2" means both printing stations print on the same side of the film — the front face — delivering two colors on one side. "1+1" means one station prints the front and one station prints the back of the film, delivering one color on each side. The 1+1 mode is particularly useful for gusseted bags, zipper bags, or packaging where branding must appear on both faces.
Yes. The machine itself is CE-certified. When operated with compliant water-based inks (low migration inks meeting FDA 21 CFR or EU Regulation No. 10/2011 for food contact materials), the printed output can qualify for food-safe packaging applications. Buyers are advised to verify ink supplier certifications independently, as ink compliance is separate from machine certification.
PouchesMachine provides commissioning support, remote video-assisted troubleshooting, spare parts supply (anilox rollers, doctor blades, photopolymer plate supplies, servo drive components), and optional on-site service contracts. A full operator manual and maintenance schedule are provided in English and other languages on request.
Ruian Xuanhai Machine Co.,Ltd.

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