The copper plating process on gravure cylinders is an extremely complex procedure with strict control requirements. The quality of the pre-treatment before plating is a crucial factor in ensuring the quality of the plating layer. A rough, rusted or contaminated cylinder surface cannot produce a smooth, bright and well-bonded high-quality plating layer. In daily production practice, faults such as peeling, bubbling and mottling of the plating layer are often caused by improper pre-treatment. To obtain a plating layer that meets quality requirements, it is essential to carry out proper pre-treatment before plating.

The main purpose of pretreatment is to remove oil stains and the removal of oil stains is necessary because the oil film isolates the cylinder surface from the plating solution, affecting the deposition of metal ions. In severe cases, it may prevent metal plating altogether. Even if a cylinder with a thin oil film is plated and appears to have a good surface layer, the actual bond is not strong. Under certain conditions, such as an increase in plating thickness, mechanical processing, or the impact of high temperature and high current during chromium plating, the plating layer may peel off the cylinder surface.

Currently, most companies use metal cleaners to remove oil stains. These cleaners are formulated with highly effective cleaning agents such as surfactants and have excellent oil removal, strong cleaning power, and good anti-corrosion and anti-rust properties. Generally, a 600# water sandpaper is used with the cleaner to evenly and forcefully polish the cylinder. The standard for a clean surface is that no water droplets hang on the plate and it is completely wetted by water. Inadequate cleaning can cause blisters and peeling in the nickel plating layer.

Therefore, in gravure plate making, the pre-treatment before copper plating is of vital importance.