--- title: Print issues with LongCell description: Because of the LongCells the doctor blade can be too small and will not cover the entire cell the ink can flow back when the doctor blade passes the cell wall. image: https://blog.apexinternational.com/hubfs/Fact%20sheet%20Longcell%20vs%20Hexagonal%20Cell3.jpg --- [![Apex International Logo.png](https://blog.apexinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Apex_3DLogo_FC-2.png?width=756&height=384&name=Apex_3DLogo_FC-2.png "Apex International Logo.png")](http://www.aianilox.com) - Products - [Anilox Rolls](https://apexinternational.com/anilox) - [GTT Laser Engraved Anilox Rolls](https://apexinternational.com/product/gtt-laser-engraved-anilox-rolls/) - [UltraCell Laser Engraved Anilox Rolls](https://apexinternational.com/product/ultracell-laser-engraved-anilox-rolls/) - [Mechanically Engraved Anilox Rolls](https://apexinternational.com/product/mechanically-engraved-anilox-rolls/) - [Apex HD Sleeve](https://apexinternational.com/product/apex-hd-sleeve/) - [Embossing Rolls](https://apexinternational.com/embossing/) - [Home & Furniture](https://apexinternational.com/embossing/home-furniture/) - [Coating](https://apexinternational.com/embossing/coating/) - [Auto & Fashion](https://apexinternational.com/embossing/auto-fashion/) - [Nonwovens](https://apexinternational.com/embossing/nonwovens/) - [Plastics](https://apexinternational.com/embossing/plastics/) - [Glass](https://apexinternational.com/embossing/glass/) - [Tissue](https://apexinternational.com/embossing/tissue/) - [Metal](https://apexinternational.com/embossing/metal/) - [Paper](https://apexinternational.com/embossing/paper/) - [Rotary Screen Printing](https://apexinternational.com/rotary-screen-printing/) - [Gravure Printing](https://apexinternational.com/gravure-printing/) - [Glue & Doctor Rolls](https://apexinternational.com/product/accora-glue-doctor-rolls/) - [Anilox Volume Inspection](https://apexinternational.com/anilox-volume-inspection/) - Markets - [Corrugated](https://apexinternational.com/industry/corrugated/) - [Flexo & Wide Web](https://apexinternational.com/industry/flexo/) - [Label & Narrow Web](https://apexinternational.com/industry/label/) - [Coating & Offset](https://apexinternational.com/industry/offset/) - [Embossing](https://apexinternational.com/embossing/) - [Rotary Screen Printing](https://apexinternational.com/rotary-screen-printing/) - [Gravure Printing](https://apexinternational.com/gravure-printing/) - Resources - [Apex Academy](https://blog.apexinternational.com/academy) - [FlexoKITE](https://apexinternational.com/flexokite/) - [Calculators](https://apexinternational.com/apex-anilox-calculators/) - [Trade Show Schedule](https://apexinternational.com/tradeshow-schedule/) - [Quality Assurance and Warranty](https://apexinternational.com/quality-control/) - Company - [History](https://apexinternational.com/history/) - [Production Locations](https://apexinternational.com/production-locations/) - [Memberships](https://apexinternational.com/memberships/) - [Press Releases](https://blog.apexinternational.com/apex-press-releases-us) - [Careers](https://apexinternational.com/careers/) - [Contact Us](https://apexinternational.com/contact-us/) Search - [![](https://apexinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/flags/us.png)English](https://blog.apexinternational.com/apex-anilox-news) - [![](https://apexinternational.com/wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms/res/flags/de.png)Deutsch](https://blog.apexinternational.com/apex-anilox-news-de) - [![](https://apexinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/flags/pt-pt.png)Português](https://blog.apexinternational.com/apex-anilox-news-pt) ## Apex Academy # Print issues with LongCell By Doug Jones ![](https://blog.apexinternational.com/hubfs/Fact%20sheet%20Longcell%20vs%20Hexagonal%20Cell3.jpg) ### Doctor blade too small Because of the LongCells the doctor blade can be too small and will not cover the entire cell. As a result the ink can flow back when the doctor blade passes the cell wall (1). ### Movement of the ink Because of the ‘laws of physics’ the rotation of the anilox roll creates a G-force effect on the ink (2a). As a result the ink rises above the cell walls. The ink moves in the opposite direction (I) as the rotation direction (II). ![Fact sheet Longcell vs Hexagonal Cell3.jpg](https://blog.apexinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fact%20sheet%20Longcell%20vs%20Hexagonal%20Cell3.jpg?width=516&height=630&name=Fact%20sheet%20Longcell%20vs%20Hexagonal%20Cell3.jpg) ![Fact sheet Longcell vs Hexagonal Cell4.jpg](https://blog.apexinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fact%20sheet%20Longcell%20vs%20Hexagonal%20Cell4.jpg?width=328&name=Fact%20sheet%20Longcell%20vs%20Hexagonal%20Cell4.jpg)![Fact sheet Longcell vs Hexagonal Cell5.jpg](https://blog.apexinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fact%20sheet%20Longcell%20vs%20Hexagonal%20Cell5.jpg?width=326&name=Fact%20sheet%20Longcell%20vs%20Hexagonal%20Cell5.jpg)![Fact sheet Longcell vs Hexagonal Cell6.jpg](https://blog.apexinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fact%20sheet%20Longcell%20vs%20Hexagonal%20Cell6.jpg?width=323&name=Fact%20sheet%20Longcell%20vs%20Hexagonal%20Cell6.jpg) ### Ink at the side of a printing plate dot When a dot (III) of the printing plate touches the anilox roll, ink can accumulate at the side of the printing plate dot (3). The result of the points above is that you can get unevenly spread ink on your dots. The dots will have more ink at the beginning or end (4), creating a very blurred screen image. ![Fact sheet Longcell vs Hexagonal Cell7.jpg](https://blog.apexinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fact%20sheet%20Longcell%20vs%20Hexagonal%20Cell7.jpg?width=332&name=Fact%20sheet%20Longcell%20vs%20Hexagonal%20Cell7.jpg)![Fact sheet Longcell vs Hexagonal Cell8.jpg](https://blog.apexinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fact%20sheet%20Longcell%20vs%20Hexagonal%20Cell8.jpg?width=333&name=Fact%20sheet%20Longcell%20vs%20Hexagonal%20Cell8.jpg) ### Score lines The standard 60° hexagon cell (5) has a stronger and more uniform surface. It gives support to all cell walls equally, whereas the LongCell (6) does not. It creates a weaker structure and an increased possibility for score lines. ![Fact sheet Longcell vs Hexagonal Cell9.jpg](https://blog.apexinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fact%20sheet%20Longcell%20vs%20Hexagonal%20Cell9.jpg?width=335&name=Fact%20sheet%20Longcell%20vs%20Hexagonal%20Cell9.jpg)![Fact sheet Longcell vs Hexagonal Cell10.jpg](https://blog.apexinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fact%20sheet%20Longcell%20vs%20Hexagonal%20Cell10.jpg?width=335&name=Fact%20sheet%20Longcell%20vs%20Hexagonal%20Cell10.jpg) ![Doug Jones](https://blog.apexinternational.com/hubfs/BW_HS.jpg) #### Doug Jones Doug Jones is Vice President of Global Marketing at Apex International, the world’s largest manufacturer of anilox and meter products with 7 locations on 4 continents and sales offices covering over 80 countries. He holds a bachelors degree in Communications from Penn State and a Masters of Business Administration. 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