Printing machinery; flexographic

HS v2022 Code: 844316

About printing machinery; flexographic

HS code 844316 covers flexographic printing machinery, a critical component of the global printing and packaging industries. Flexographic printing is a widely used technique that employs flexible relief plates to transfer ink onto a variety of substrates, including paper, plastic, and metal. This versatile printing method is essential for the production of packaging materials, labels, and other printed products that are integral to modern supply chains and consumer markets.

Production process

The key steps in flexographic printing involve the use of a flexible printing plate, which is wrapped around a rotating cylinder. Ink is transferred from an ink fountain to the printing plate, which then presses the image onto the substrate as it passes through the press. Precise control of ink flow, plate pressure, and substrate handling are critical to achieving high-quality, consistent prints. Advancements in flexographic technology, such as digital plate-making and automated press controls, have improved efficiency and print quality in recent years.

Production inputs

The primary inputs for the flexographic printing industry include the printing plates, inks, and substrates. Printing plates are typically made from photopolymer materials that can be precisely engraved or imaged to create the desired print patterns. Inks used in flexographic printing are typically water-based or solvent-based, formulated to adhere well to the substrate and produce vibrant, durable images. The substrates can vary widely, from paper and cardboard to plastic films and metallic foils, depending on the end-use application.

Production outputs

The primary outputs of the flexographic printing industry are a wide range of printed products, including packaging materials, labels, tags, and other specialized printed items. The output of HS code 844316 is often consumed by industries covered by other HS codes, such as 4819 Cartons, boxes, cases, bags and other packing containers, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres and 4821 Paper or paperboard labels of all kinds, whether or not printed.

Revisions to 844316

Classification codes are adjusted frequently. The code may have been revised or replaced between system versions. The table below shows the history (newest to oldest) of the code 844316. The most recent 1 version of this code (844316) is in the HS v2022 system (this version):

This page shows the most recent version of code 844316.

Family tree for printing machinery; flexographic

    graph LR
    A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/84'>84: Machinery and mechanical appliances, boilers, nuclear reactors; parts thereof</a>"]
A --> B["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/8443'>8443: Printing machinery; used for printing by means of plates, cylinders and other printing components of heading 84.42; other printers, copying machines and facsimile machines, whether or not combined; parts and accessories thereof</a>"]
B --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/844316'>844316: Printing machinery; flexographic</a>"]

    B --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/844311'>844311: Printing machinery; offset, reel-fed</a>"]
B --> E["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/844312'>844312: Printing machinery; offset, sheet-fed, office type (sheet size not exceeding 22 x 36cm in the unfolded state)</a>"]
B --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/844313'>844313: Printing machinery; offset, n.e.c. in item no. 8443.1</a>"]
B --> G["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/844314'>844314: Printing machinery; letterpress, reel-fed, excluding flexographic printing</a>"]
B --> H["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/844315'>844315: Printing machinery; letterpress, other than reel-fed, excluding flexographic printing</a>"]
B --> I["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/844317'>844317: Printing machinery; gravure</a>"]
B --> J["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/844319'>844319: Printing machinery; used for printing by means of plates, cylinders and other printing components of heading 84.42, n.e.c. in item no. 8443.1</a>"]
B --> K["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/844331'>844331: Printing, copying, and facsimile machines; machines which perform two or more of the functions of printing, copying or facsimile transmission, capable of connecting to an automatic data processing machine or to a network</a>"]
B --> L["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/844332'>844332: Printing, copying, and facsimile machines; single-function printing, copying or facsimile machines, capable of connecting to an automatic data processing machine or to a network</a>"]
B --> M["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/844339'>844339: Printing, copying, and facsimile machines; single-function printing, copying or facsimile machines, not capable of connecting to an automatic data processing machine or to a network</a>"]
B --> N["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/844391'>844391: Printing machinery used for printing by means of plates, cylinders and other printing components of heading 8442; parts and accessories</a>"]
B --> O["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/844399'>844399: Printing machinery; parts and accessories, n.e.c. in item no. 8443.91</a>"]

    

    %% Color coordination by level

    classDef level1 color:#000,fill:#a8f9ff,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
    classDef level2 color:#000,fill:#e0a458,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level3 color:#000,fill:#419d78,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level4 color:#000,fill:#c04abc,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level5 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level6 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef highlight color:#000,fill:#fff,stroke:#000,stroke-width:5px



  %% Apply classes
  class A level2
class B level4
class C level6
class D level6
class E level6
class F level6
class G level6
class H level6
class I level6
class J level6
class K level6
class L level6
class M level6
class N level6
class O level6

  class C highlight

  %% class A level1
  %% class B,C level2
  %% class D,E,F,G,H,I level2
  %% class J,K,L,M,N,O,P level3
  %% class C highlight