How to tell a doctor-blade line from a lookalike on a cosmetics carton
On a cosmetics carton, separate the doctor-blade line: an emboss shadow follows the artwork. A doctor-blade line does not. Until you can tell them apart, don't adjust the press for the wrong cause.
On a cosmetics carton, separate the doctor-blade line: an emboss shadow follows the artwork. A doctor-blade line does not. Until you can tell them apart, don't adjust the press for the wrong cause.
Name it wrong and you adjust the wrong place
A fine line in the web direction. Its position does not move with the artwork. If you call it something else, you skip this step: look at the blade edge and blade pressure first. Don't change the anilox first. On a cosmetics carton, the brand color decides whether you pass it. It does not decide what you call it.
How to separate them
| What you see | Closer to | How you separate |
|---|---|---|
| A fine line in the web direction. Its position does not move with the artwork. | doctor-blade line | Name it from one white spot |
| An emboss shadow follows the artwork. A doctor-blade line does not. | Treat it as that other defect | Use the same adjustment |
| It sits on the brand color | Hold this spot first | Ignore the location just to name it |
Confirm on the spot
- Look with the eye or a loupe: a fine line in the web direction, and its position does not move with the artwork.
- Rule out: an emboss shadow follows the artwork. A doctor-blade line does not.
- Look at the blade edge and blade pressure first. Don't change the anilox first.
