Glossary Hub

Line Screen (LPI)

Definition

Lines per inch on anilox engraving; higher LPI typically supports finer detail with lower ink volume per cell.

Applications

  • Selecting anilox for process vs solids
  • Balancing dot gain and coverage
  • Fine text reproduction

Benefits

  • Enables sharper detail
  • Improves highlight control
  • Helps manage ink laydown

Industry Examples

  • Medical: higher LPI to keep small text crisp for UDI readability.
  • Industrial: lower LPI and higher volume for bold solids and dense coverage.
  • Electronics: selected to balance opacity and detail when printing high-density warning graphics on ESD films.

FAQ

Q: Does higher LPI always mean better?

A: Not if you need heavy coverage—cell volume must match ink demand.

Q: How do LPI and BCM interact?

A: Higher LPI often pairs with lower BCM for finer prints.

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