Tesa Softprint 52817 Plate Mounting Tape – Secure Soft 15 mil

Product Overview Tesa Softprint 52817 Plate Mounting Tape is a soft-density, double-coated foam tape engineered for high-quality flexographic printing. Part of the tesa Softprint® Secure line, the 52817 features SNAP-ON adhesive technology for fast plate mounting, secure plate edges during print runs, and clean, residue-free demounting. With a total thickness of 430µm (16.9 mils) in the 380µm thickness category, this Soft density tape offers balanced compressibility—ideal for general process printing, medium screen counts, and standard flexo plates. The closed-cell PE foam structure ensures consistent print quality from the first copy to the last, even on long runs at high press speeds. Key Features & Benefits Soft Foam Density: Balanced compressibility provides excellent dot structure and vignette smoothness for general process printing and medium screen counts. SNAP-ON Adhesive Technology: Low tack surface enables fast, easy plate mounting with repositioning capability, then locks in securely once set. Solvent Resistant: Withstands ink and cleaning solvents without adhesive breakdown or plate lift. Structured PP Liner: Prevents air pocket formation during plate mounting for smooth, bubble-free adhesion. Consistent Recovery: Long-lasting foam recovery characteristics maintain print quality over extended runs and high-speed printing. Clean Demounting: Very cohesive adhesive structure removes without residue, protecting plates and cylinders. Versatile Performance: Ideal for a wide range of applications—from labels and flexible packaging to corrugated pre-print. Technical Specifications Product Number tesa® 52817 (Secure Soft) Thickness Category 380 µm / 15 mil Total Thickness 430 µm / 16.9 mil Foam Hardness Soft Logo Color Red Backing Material PE Foam with Film Lamination (Closed-Cell) Adhesive Type Tackified Acrylic (Low Tack, Solvent Resistant) Liner Type Structured PP (Polypropylene) Primary Application Mounting 1.14 mm (0.045") and 1.70 mm (0.067") PET-backed photopolymer plates onto steel, aluminum, PU, and glassine cylinders/sleeves Ideal Applications Tesa Softprint 52817 Secure Soft is designed for: General Process Printing: Balanced compressibility for process colors, medium screen counts (80-120 lpi), and standard flexo plates. Label and Flexible Packaging: Optimized for 380µm thickness category, ideal for label and narrow web flexo presses. High-Speed Presses: Absorbs press vibrations and bouncing stripes without requiring impression readjustment. Clean, Standardized Pressrooms: Low tack adhesive performs best in controlled environments with proper cylinder/plate cleaning protocols. Long Print Runs: Consistent foam recovery maintains dot structure and vignette smoothness copy after copy. Medium Tones and Solids: Excellent performance on 50% tone plates and 50% raster, balancing highlight and shadow detail. Installation & Best Practices Follow these steps for optimal plate mounting with tesa Softprint 52817: Clean Cylinder/Sleeve: Wipe with 100% isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth. Ensure surface is dry and free of ink, oil, or dust. Clean Plate Back: Remove all contaminants from the back of the photopolymer plate using isopropyl alcohol. Let dry completely. Apply Tape: Mount tape in a sweeping, line-by-line motion using a squeegee or mounting machine. The structured PP liner vents air to prevent bubbles. Mount Plate: Fix plate to a narrow area of tape first, then roll across the surface with a rubber roller for full adhesion. Avoid premature contact between plate and tape. Demount: After print job, remove plate gently from one edge. Peel tape at a flat angle to minimize tension and avoid residue. Storage: Store tape and plates at 73°F (23°C) and 55% relative humidity, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Compare Tesa Softprint 52817 vs. 52818, 52816, 52815 All part of the tesa Softprint® Secure line (380µm / 15 mil), these tapes differ by foam hardness. Choose based on your plate type and print requirements: Product Foam Hardness Logo Color Best For tesa 52818 Extra Soft (X-Soft) Yellow Fine line work, high screen counts, delicate plates, wide impression window tesa 52817 (This Product) Soft Red General process printing, medium screen counts, balanced compressibility, 50% tone plates tesa 52816 Medium Purple Solid printing, lower screen counts, higher press speeds tesa 52815 Medium-Hard Blue Heavy solids, rough substrates, maximum stability Need a different hardness? View the full Tesa Softprint Secure line. Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between tesa 52817 and 52818? The 52817 is Soft density, while the 52818 is X-Soft (extra soft) density. The 52817 offers balanced compressibility ideal for general process printing and medium screen counts. The 52818 has a wider impression window and is better suited for fine line work and high screen counts. What is the total thickness of tesa 52817? The total thickness is 430 µm (16.9 mils), with a thickness category of 380 µm (15 mils). This is the standard narrow web thickness for label printing. Is tesa 52817 solvent resistant? Yes. The tackified acrylic adhesive is solvent resistant, making it suitable for use with standard flexo inks and cleaning solvents. However, avoid excessive exposure to aggressive solvents like ethyl acetate in high concentrations. What plates work best with tesa 52817? The 52817 is designed for 1.14 mm (0.045") and 1.70 mm (0.067") PET-backed photopolymer plates. It is ideal for general process printing, medium screen counts, and 50% tone plates. Can I use tesa 52817 on thin-walled sleeves? Yes, but for critical thin-walled sleeve applications, consider the tesa Softprint FLEX product design (e.g., 73422 FE or 73522 FE-X), which includes a flexible PE reinforcement film to compensate for sleeve expansion. The 52817 is a CLASSIC design with PET reinforcement. How do I store tesa Softprint 52817 tape? Store at 73°F (23°C) and 55% relative humidity, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Proper storage prevents adhesive degradation and foam compression, ensuring consistent performance.