A gravure cylinder is made up of three layers:
1) The base is a steel pipe with a cap (called a “flange”) on each end, which has either a hole (called a “bore”) or a shaft integrated into it.
2) Next is a layer of copper. This layer has tiny holes (or “cells”) engraved onto it in patterns that form images and/or text.
3) Finally, a layer of chrome on the outside protects the image engraved on the copper below.
When the gravure cylinder is completed, it is used as a cylindrical printing plate in a printing press.
Gravure printing produces superior quality, and the cylinders can last for long periods of time on the press. Gravure is perfect for long print runs where quality is paramount.