LQ-2C & LQ-2CH
Two Series. One Decision.

Both machines produce 2-color output on PE film, PP film and paper. The difference is the drive system and what it enables. The LQ-2C uses a variable frequency motor drive and runs at 5–50 m/min — reliable, simple to operate, lower investment. The LQ-2CH uses synchronous belt transmission and runs at 80–100 m/min actual speed (120 m/min mechanical). The synchronous belt maintains precise speed consistency during acceleration and deceleration, which is the critical window where registration errors occur at high speed. The LQ-2CH also includes hydraulic EPC edge position control and cold-air shaping bellows — neither of which is included on the LQ-2C. The choice is a production volume decision: if your monthly print volume is small to medium, the LQ-2C delivers better return on investment. If throughput per shift is a direct competitive factor in your business, the LQ-2CH is the right machine.

120 m/min is the mechanical maximum speed of the LQ-2CH. Actual production printing speed is 80–100 m/min, depending on substrate type, ink coverage, drying requirements and operator settings. This distinction matters: mechanical speed is the ceiling the machine is engineered to reach; actual printing speed is what you can sustain in production while maintaining acceptable print quality. Both figures are published on this page because both are relevant — the mechanical speed tells you the machine's engineering headroom, and the actual speed tells you what to use for production planning.

The LQ-2C accepts plates at a fixed total thickness of 2.38mm, which includes the plate itself plus the double-sided mounting tape. This is a common standard in flexo printing — many plate suppliers offer plates at 1.70mm thickness, which combined with a standard 0.38mm mounting tape gives a total of 2.08mm, requiring a 0.30mm shim to reach 2.38mm. Alternatively, plates at 2.00mm with a 0.38mm tape reach 2.38mm directly. Confirm the exact combination with your plate supplier before ordering. The LQ-2CH accepts the full range from 1.14mm to 3.94mm, giving you complete flexibility to use any standard flexo plate without adjustment.

The LQ-2C is compatible with BOPP, PET, PE, PVC, CPP, glassine paper, standard paper and aluminium foil. The LQ-2CH is specified for PE film, PP film, paper, woven bags and non-woven fabric. Both series require pre-corona-treated film for optimal ink adhesion on plastic substrates — target surface energy 38–42 dynes/cm is the standard recommendation, though confirm with your ink supplier for your specific substrate and ink system. [NEEDS CLIENT VERIFICATION — confirm full substrate list per series with LayerQuestar engineering]

Identify the widest substrate you need to print, add the required edge margins, and select the model whose maximum printing width comfortably covers that dimension. Maximum printing width is 40mm narrower than maximum substrate width on all models — for example, the 800mm model prints up to 760mm. The 800mm model is the most common choice for standard shopping bag and courier bag production. The 600mm model suits narrow-format production or space-constrained facilities. The 1000mm model is appropriate for wide-format substrates or multi-lane printing layouts where you print two narrow bags side by side on a single wide roll to maximise output per meter of film consumed.

The LQ-2C is the more appropriate choice for new operators. Its variable frequency drive, lower operating speed and simpler system configuration mean there are fewer parameters to manage and less that can go wrong during a production run. The LQ-2CH's higher speed and additional systems — EPC, cold-air shaping, dual tension control — require operators who understand flexo printing fundamentals. Running the LQ-2CH at 80–100 m/min without experienced operators significantly increases defect rate, substrate waste and the risk of registration failures. LayerQuestar provides on-site commissioning support and operator training for both series — confirm training scope with the sales team when ordering.

The LQ-2C (800mm model) has a machine footprint of 1900×2000×2300mm — compact enough for most production facilities. Allow at least 1m operator clearance on all sides, giving a practical floor allocation of approximately 4m × 4m. The LQ-2CH is significantly larger at 6800×2000×2900mm due to the extended drying oven. Allow a minimum floor length of approximately 8–9m and confirm ceiling height — the machine stands 2.9m tall and requires clearance above. The LQ-2CH also weighs 5,000–6,000 kg depending on width model; confirm your floor load capacity before ordering.

The LQ-2C and LQ-2CH are distinct machine architectures — the synchronous belt drive, extended drying oven, EPC system and cold-air bellows on the LQ-2CH are not retrofit additions to the LQ-2C platform. An upgrade means purchasing a new LQ-2CH machine. That said, the LQ-2C retains strong resale value as a functional production machine, and many converters run both series simultaneously — the LQ-2C for short-run variety work and the LQ-2CH for high-volume continuous orders. Contact LayerQuestar to discuss a phased investment plan if this applies to your operation.