Lohmann has introduced OVX 201 as a new adhesive option within the DuploFLEX plate mounting tape system, launching in the Americas for wide-web flexible packaging printers. We spoke with a Lohmann FLEXpert and flexo specialist to get into the detail – what OVX 201 is, how it differs from existing adhesives in the range, and when it is the right choice.
Let's start with the basics. What exactly is OVX 201, and where does it sit within DuploFLEX?
"OVX 201 is a new adhesive component within the DuploFLEX system. To be clear about what that means: DuploFLEX is not a single product — it's a system that combines a foam carrier with an adhesive, and both components are selected based on the application. The foam determines compressibility and print performance. The adhesive determines how the tape bonds to the cylinder and how it holds and releases the plate.
OVX 201 is a medium adhesion adhesive, and it's the first in the DuploFLEX range to use an air-release channel liner rather than an embossed liner. It works with plate thicknesses from 0.045"" to 0.067"" (1.14–1.7 mm) and is compatible with all cylinder sizes and repeat lengths — which is actually one of the things that makes it stand out from the other adhesives in the lineup."
What does 'air-release channel' mean in practice — and why does it matter on the press?
"When you mount a plate onto a conventional tape, air can get trapped between the plate and the adhesive surface. Getting that air out cleanly takes time — you're working the plate down carefully, sometimes lifting and remounting. The air-release channel structure on the closed/plate side of OVX 201 gives that air a path to escape during mounting. The plate goes down smoothly and flat, without bubbles, in significantly less time.
For a press operator running multiple plate changes per shift, that adds up. It's not a dramatic claim — it's a straightforward mechanical advantage built into the liner design."
You mentioned OVX 201 is compatible with all cylinder sizes. Why is that significant?
"If you look at the rest of the DuploFLEX adhesive range, most options are specified for medium and large cylinders, or small and medium — there's always a restriction. OVX 201 is the only adhesive in the current lineup with no cylinder size limitation.
For printers running a mixed fleet, or production environments where a single operator works across different press configurations, that matters. It means you can standardize on one adhesive option for wide-web flexible packaging work regardless of which press or cylinder size is in use. Less inventory complexity, fewer potential errors in tape selection."
What about edge hold — is primer still needed with OVX 201?
"No, and that's one of the key workflow advantages. The plate-side adhesive in OVX 201 holds edges securely without primer or supplementary edge-reinforcement tape. Both preparation steps are removed from the workflow, along with their associated consumable costs. This is particularly relevant in high-throughput environments where make-ready frequency is a real cost driver.
I should also add: despite the strong edge hold during printing, OVX 201 allows clean plate removal without surface damage, which supports plate reuse — another factor in controlling costs over time."
Who is OVX 201 not right for? When should a printer stay with their
current DuploFLEX combination?
"That's an important question, and it's worth being direct about it. OVX 201 is an addition to the DuploFLEX adhesive range — not a replacement. If a printer is already achieving consistent, reliable results with their current combination for a specific application, there's no reason to change.
OVX 201 makes most sense when there is a specific problem it solves: bubble-related mounting issues, time lost to primer application or edge taping, or a need for a single adhesive that works across all cylinder sizes. If those conditions don't apply, the existing Lohmann product is probably the right one to stay with. The goal is always to match the system to the job."
To find out whether the OVX 201 adhesive is the right configuration for your press and substrate portfolio, contact the Lohmann Americas FLEXperts!
