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High Performance Doctor Blades

Engineered in our Innovation Lab to outperform traditional steel doctor blades in virtually every category including lifespan, precision, anilox wear, safety, and resilience against temperature and chemical resistance.
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"I switched from steel to TruPoint doctor blades and was impressed. TruPoint EDGE is now the only doctor blade I use."

Gerry Dugan, Allied Printing, Inc
Gerry Dugan, Allied Printing

Which Doctor Blade
Is Right For You?

All doctor blades are not created equal, and the same doctor blade material can perform differently depending on application variables like speed, surface roughness, ink or coating abrasiveness, or the surface being cleaned. To help find the right product in our portfolio we’ve created a rating system (1-5) for different performance characteristics including stiffness, creep, metering, and wear.

These ratings are guidelines and performance will vary based on operating conditions, but they do serve as a guide to give you a relative comparison across products.

Stiffness
Stiffness

A blade’s resistance to bending under pressure. A stiffer blade maintains its shape, ensuring consistent metering of inks and coatings, or more durability when used for cleaning.

The rankings below were calculated based on stiffness after running on a press for 1 hour.

Creep
Fatigue

Fatigue is the tendency of a doctor blade to lose its stiffness over time when pressed against the anilox or other roller. This loss of stiffness decreases metering efficiency and reduces print quality.

Metering
Metering

To meter effectively is to control the volume and uniformity of ink or coating during transfer to another surface or material.

Wear
Wear

Wear is the gradual loss of material from a doctor blade’s wiping edge due to friction and contact with the roller or other surface.

TruPoint doctor blades offer a safer and smarter alternative to traditional steel blades in flexo printing applications. Constructed from durable plastic, TruPoint blades provide performance comparable to steel while being softer and less sharp, reducing the risk of damaging anilox rolls or injuring press operators. Unlike steel blades, TruPoint blades won’t splinter or crack, and their edges remain safe even when worn.

The correct doctor blade tip profile depends on your anilox roll volume and desired metering precision.

  • High-volume anilox rolls: Use a Bevel or thicker MicroTip for increased blade life and broader contact

  • Low-volume anilox rolls: Use a MicroTip or thin Bevel for finer metering and improved precision

Matching the blade profile to your anilox specifications helps reduce wear, improve print quality, and optimize performance. Reach out to [email protected] to get expert advice on choosing the right doctor blade profile.

Yes. We offer free TruPoint doctor blade trial and will custom-cut the doctor blade to your exact press dimensions. Just fill out the form, and we’ll ship your personalized sample straight to you. After you’ve had a chance to test it, we’d love your feedback through a quick online survey.

Doctor blade width—also known as blade height—is the measurement from the back of the blade (where it fits into the clamp) to the tip that contacts the anilox roll or cylinder.

Steps to measure doctor blade width:

  • Lay the blade flat on a level surface

  • Use a caliper or ruler to measure from the clamp side to the metering edge

Typical doctor blade widths range from 0.5 inches to 2.5 inches depending on the press and application. Measuring accurately ensures a proper fit and consistent performance. For best results, always refer to your OEM’s blade width recommendation.

Choosing the correct doctor blade thickness depends on the blade material and application type.

  • Steel doctor blades: Usually .006" to .012"

  • Plastic doctor blades: Range from .014" to .125"

Why thickness matters:

  • Thinner blades are more flexible, ideal for delicate metering

  • Thicker blades are more rigid, offering longer wear in demanding applications

Blade thickness affects how the blade performs under pressure and how it conforms to the roll.

To extend doctor blade life, follow the  installation guidelines for angle and pressure, regularly clean blades and rollers to prevent buildup, and choose the right blade material for your application. Regularly inspect the blades for wear and replace them as needed.

Foam backing is a simple solution for common doctor blade issues like:

  • Leaking ink or coating fluid

  • Blades not sitting flat in the holder

Adding foam to the back of a doctor blade helps create a tighter seal and improves contact between the blade and holder. This easy fix can significantly reduce downtime and improve overall sealing.