Asahi Photoproducts announced the global launch of its new AWP-CLFQ water-wash flexographic plate, marking a major milestone in sustainable high-quality printing. The new plate was officially certified by Esko during the AWP Days 2025 event in Japan on October 27, becoming the first solventless plate to receive Esko Quartz certification. The AWP-CLFQ combines Esko’s Quartz pixel-level precision with Asahi’s CleanPrint productivity, setting a new standard for gravure-like quality in flexographic printing.

Designed specifically for flexible packaging applications, the AWP-CLFQ enables converters to achieve sharp highlights, smooth tonal transitions, and dense solids using a solvent-free, water-wash workflow. It is compatible with Esko Quartz and Esko Crystal MCWSI screenings, ensuring pixel stability and superior dot integrity. “AWP-CLFQ gives converters a decisive reason to switch from gravure to flexo,” said Aki Kato, Senior General Manager of Asahi’s Photoproducts Division. “By combining the precision of Esko Quartz with the productivity of Asahi’s CleanPrint, we deliver gravure-level consistency in a sustainable solventless process.”

Unveiled at AWP Days in Japan, the new plate impressed attendees with its print samples, showing high-density whites, strong solids, and seamless fades to zero. Additional demonstrations at Allstein’s Automation Open House earlier in October further highlighted its performance across a variety of flexible substrates. Following certification, Asahi has begun a controlled global rollout supported by Esko and Asahi’s distribution network, with broader availability to follow as production scales.

The AWP-CLFQ, initially available in 1.14 mm thickness with a 1.7 mm version under development, is part of Asahi’s Solvent ZERO roadmap, a strategy to replace solvent-based platemaking with water-wash technologies that meet modern print quality and sustainability demands. Featuring CleanPrint technology, the plate minimizes press stops and optimizes ink transfer, delivering exceptional results even with the latest polyurethane-based solvent and water inks.

With AWP-CLFQ, Asahi Photoproducts reinforces its commitment to helping converters achieve both top-tier print performance and environmental responsibility, bridging the gap between flexographic and gravure printing in a new solventless era.