Labelling Blog

Systems Labelling have recently “transformed” the product labels of DH Mitchells dairy range. The Harefield based dairy business produces, packages and supplies to retail outlets in the South East of England. Historically using a paper based label with a basic illustration of a dairy herd the product line was in need of a face lift. Enter Systems Labelling. A photograph taken by the customer of one of their own cows in a field with the farmhouse in the background was transformed into a high quality label achieving stand-out and subsequently increasing sales. Partner Duncan Mitchell commented, “Systems Labelling have worked wonders with a very basic image and reproduced artwork for our milk labels to a very high standard.” The skilled artwork studio used cloning techniques to remove distracting images including the flies around the cows face, a telegraph pole and even shrubbery and the contrast of the skyline. Systems Labelling also offered advice from a commercial angle on how to

With the Innoket 360, KHS AG is presenting a new generation of roll-fed labelers. In addition to process quality, reliability and energy efficiency, the focus was above all on user friendliness during the approx. one and a half year-development and test work. The result is a premium product with a completely ergonomic and cleaning-friendly, hygienic design on which all machine parts are easily accessible for operators and changeover and maintenance times are reduced to a minimum. Significant innovations are cutting technology with self-sharpening cutter, segmented vacuum drum and a gluing system based on the principle of induction. First reference customers, such as the Heil- und Mineralquellen Germete GmbH (spa and mineral springs) are extremely happy. Since the beginning of August 2008, the Innoket 360 has labeled more than 20 million bottles at this long-established company in Warburg. Franz-Josef Hügel, Technical Manager at the Heil- und Mineralquellen Germete GmbH, confirms that “

After its success at the last Labelexpos in Brussels, POLAR has also been exhibiting its products at the North American label trade fair. On show were the high-speed cutter POLAR 92 XT with single-head bander BS-23 and a stand-alone die-cutter DC-M. With the focus in Chicago being almost exclusively on self-adhesive labels and flexoprinting, POLAR was one of only a few exhibitors to show finishing solutions for sheet-fed offset printing. All the more surprising for POLAR’s Marketing Director, Rolf Brand, therefore, was the number of exhibition visitors showing interest in wet glue labels. “Almost everyone who came to the POLAR stand had already done their homework and came to us with specific questions.” It was therefore no surprise to Brand that the first machines were sold during the trade fair. “We sold four machines actually in Chicago, including a stand-alone die cutter and a bander. I am especially pleased that we managed to acquire a lot of new ‘hot prospects’ in the die-cut

Its name is Sotherma, but Danone controls the company: based in Fes (Morocco), the company enumerates the world’s market leader of bottling systems among its stockholders. This is a starting point for North Africa, a complete bottling line designed by Sacmi following the rules of Danone in designing the system: these rules are observed even by the subsidiary companies. The line, designed for bottling plain water in PET 5-litre bottles, is based on the SOLO MAS “COMBO” 4HC/16/4 that comes complete with four cavities, 16 filling valves and 4 capping heads. The only COMBO in the world capable of blowing, filling and capping large PET bottles - for this reason known as COMBO to insiders. The machine can produce 4 thousand bottles/hour (five-litre format) and processes the 8-litre size with an hourly production rate of 3,200 pieces. The distinctive feature of the machine – the entire engineering has been designed by Sacmi Filling – is the operating method (volumetric-ele

Spartanics-Systec Fineprint Flatbed Screen Printing Line, designed for unprecedented throughput in roll-to-roll screen printing technology used for printing UV and chemical resistant labels, high-end cosmetics labels, transfers for printing packaging and other label/packaging applications is now available from the Spartanics-Systec partnership. Distinguished by fully electronic controls that eliminate time-consuming manual adjustments, the Spartanics-Systec Fineprint Flatbed Screen Printing Line is custom-configured to dimensions that will allow optimized print formats for faster throughput—for the smallest print layouts to the largest-- even with jobs as large as 80” x 165” (2032 mm x 4191 mm). Some of the other unique Fineprint Flatbed Screen Printing Line features include: -Synchronized vacuum release on printing table to speed throughput of large format jobs. -Job set-up in just a few keystrokes and storage of job parameters for up to 2500 separate jobs. -High precision

BDF NIVEA SA, part of the international group BIERSDORF based in Germany, manufactures and markets a wide range of products for skin care, which do not need any further presentation. Nivea, with its Spanish subsidiary based in the outskirts of Madrid, has opted for SACMI GROUP for providing two complete packaging and palletizing lines for its range of sun tanning cream bottles. Each packaging line, which ensures high efficiency, is made up of a high speed cartoning machine (model EC40), a pick-and-place robot (model CR25) and a robotized pallet system. These machines, supplied by Sacmi Packaging (brand Inpak), guarantee BDF NIVEA SA (client of Sacmi for a wide variety of supplies since 1996) a notable increase in productivity .The “Tres Cantos” plant of Madrid has also been redesigned. This has involved re-styling the existent processing lines and replacing obsolete machines with those in the forefront of the latest technology

Schreiner ProTech today announced it is applying a revolutionary laser technology-based manufacturing process to the production of automotive airbag wraps, improving airbag reliability and production efficiency. To ensure the reliable deployment of side and head airbags in case of an accident, even years after installation in an automobile, airbags are covered by special wraps. Airbag wraps have to meet exacting safety specifications and the production of these covers, particularly sewing the continuous non-woven material to create a sleeve-type wrap, has historically been a time-consuming process involving several process steps. Schreiner ProTech is applying its vast experience in sealing and manufacturing technology to the production of airbag wraps, giving automotive airbag manufacturers the option of producing wraps in two possible forms depending on their existing assembly process. Through a continuous, high-speed process, Schreiner prints the non-woven cover material, cuts

Schreiner MediPharm, a Germany-based global provider of specialty pharmaceutical labeling solutions for over 50 years, recently opened its first U.S. production facility, Schreiner MediPharm, L.P., 30 miles from New York City, in Blauvelt, New York. The state-of-the-art, 50,000 square-foot facility features a variety of advanced screen and flexo printing technologies and will be fully validated and ISO-certified to meet today’s most demanding labeling challenges. With a multi-faceted product line that includes specialty peel-off labels, combination hanger labels, brand protection and RFID solutions, expanded content labels as well as functional syringe labels, Schreiner MediPharm is committed to patient safety and compliance and setting new standards of excellence in the pharmaceutical industry. President of Schreiner MediPharm, L.P., Gene Dul, says, “It is with great pride that Schreiner MediPharm opens its new Blauvelt, NY production facility. We are happy to offer Schreiner’s a

After its success at the last Labelexpos in Brussels, POLAR has also been exhibiting its products at the North American label trade fair. On show were the high-speed cutter POLAR 92 XT with single-head bander BS-23 and a stand-alone die-cutter DC-M. With the focus in Chicago being almost exclusively on self-adhesive labels and flexoprinting, POLAR was one of only a few exhibitors to show finishing solutions for sheet-fed offset printing. All the more surprising for POLAR’s Marketing Director, Rolf Brand, therefore, was the number of exhibition visitors showing interest in wet glue labels. “Almost everyone who came to the POLAR stand had already done their homework and came to us with specific questions.” It was therefore no surprise to Brand that the first machines were sold during the trade fair. “We sold four machines actually in Chicago, including a stand-alone die cutter and a bander. I am especially pleased that we managed to acquire a lot of new ‘hot prospects’ in the die-cut

Amcor PET Packaging helps Let’s Mongo, Inc., Moorpark, CA launch a line of Hispanic-inspired ready-to-drink (RTD) teas. The company has selected Amcor’s 16-ounce, long-neck PowerFlex™ polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle to introduce its Tomandote™ brand beverages. About a year ago, company director Frank Ruvalcaba came to the realization that there weren’t any commercially-available RTD teas in the market that were based on traditional Hispanic formulas. “I’ve drunk lemongrass tea since I was a kid. There was something about the way that grandma used to make it that made it a little more special. As I become an adult, I learned how to brew the tea at home, but it was too much of a hassle to bring it into the office,” explains Ruvalcaba. “That’s when I came up with the idea to bottle it.” However, consumer taste test results yielded a pleasant surprise. “Our original idea was to target the Hispanic market. However, we discovered that the flavors tested well across all ethn

Innovia Films has developed a range of matt synthetic papers, designated Rayoart™ TD28A, based on bi-oriented polypropylene film technology. These materials, suitable for use as tag label, poster and mapping substrates, are offered as an alternative to paper where the following properties are required: * Resistance to moisture * Resistance to tearing * Ease of printing via a range of common processes including litho, UV & solvent flexo and gravure. * Good static & rotary die cut-ability and perforation at high speeds. Rayoart™ TD28A is available in reel format up to 2100mm wide and in sheet format upon request.

Scratch to win UV Flexo Scratch-off Inks can be used for all familiar promotional, game card, and entertainment applications, and can be easily removed with a rigid device such as a coin or fingernail. Two qualities are offered, delivering a choice of a pliable, or soft-scratch ink, or a semi-pliable, hard-scratch ink. They deliver the same pigmentation and opacity, but differing degrees of 'scratch-ability'. Properly applied, they have a shelf life of at least six months, making them a strong proposition for long-term promotions. They can be overprinted with a message or pattern to further disguise a hidden message using Flint Group Narrow Web's Flexocure Σ® Pantone® black ink with UV silicone additive. Easy and effective to print UV Flexo Scratch-off Inks provide a practical and effective package for narrow-web printers. They are single-component, press-ready inks which combine on-press stability with good curing speeds on most of today's flexo presses. The phot

Sustainability in product packaging is a complex challenge – particularly when it comes to pressure-sensitive labels. Attendees at LabelExpo Americas 2008 will have the opportunity to explore the latest in pressure-sensitive products, services, and technologies designed for sustainability from Avery Dennison. Specifically, the Fasson® brand EcoFriendly™ portfolio on display in Booth #119 will include: * Pressure-sensitive labeling material made from renewable resources such as “tree free” facestocks of bamboo, bagasse and cotton liners. * Fasson® Post Consumer Waste (PCW) products designed to reduce landfill loads and maximize forest conservation, encompassing three all-new pressure-sensitive products for the wine industry, new eco-friendly prime papers, as well as the latest in environmentally friendly Fasson® Rapid-Roll® products. * Options and information about eco-friendly brown liners that deliver all the performance of their white counterparts with the advantage

Great satisfaction for GIDUE: its Xpannd offset print unit meets the requirements in terms of dot gain, colour fading, slur and doubling, ghosting and streaking defined the BVDM guidelines, the German Association for Printing. The print-technological inspection of Xpannd took place in late April 2008 inside GIDUE Graphic Arts Centre. The examination was carried out by two members of SID, the Sächsisches Institut für die Druckindustrie GmbH. The tests of the web-fed hybrid offset/flexo label printing press were conducted on the basis of the Technical Manual for the Inspection of Commercial Web-fed Offset Printing Presses. The test parameters taken into account were three: colour register, print quality and streaking. These elements have been measured, analysed and evaluated according to the BVDM (BundesVerband Druck und Medien) guidelines. The evaluation committee compared some special measuring printouts printed on the Xpannd 370 with 5 offset units and compared them to the given te

Could this one be the winner? New silver 'scratch-off' inks that perform their key function and at the same time offer a high degree of on-press convenience in UV flexo printing have been introduced by Flint Group Narrow Web. Scratch to win UV Flexo Scratch-off Inks can be used for all familiar promotional, game card, and entertainment applications, and can be easily removed with a rigid device such as a coin or fingernail. Two qualities are offered, delivering a choice of a pliable, or soft-scratch ink, or a semi-pliable, hard-scratch ink. They deliver the same pigmentation and opacity, but differing degrees of 'scratch-ability'. Properly applied, they have a shelf life of at least six months, making them a strong proposition for long-term promotions. They can be overprinted with a message or pattern to further disguise a hidden message using Flint Group Narrow Web's Flexocure Σ® Pantone® black ink with UV silicone additive. Easy and effective to print UV Flexo Sc

In full recognition of the American market’s growing perceived importance, Krones AG, Neutraubling, Germany, will be there at the Pack Expo in Chicago from 9 to 13 November 2008 with a stand measuring well over 1000 m2. Exhibits will exemplify the latest developments from the fields of labeling, PET stretch blow-molding and packaging technology. Visitors can also get acquainted with the Krones Academy, the Life-Cycle Service, the firm’s filling technology and its material flow handling capabilities. The new Sleevematic M sleeve labeler is the versatile solution from Krones AG for a wide range of dress variants, whether it’s full-sleeve, part-sleeve or tamper-evident sealing. As a modularized machine, the second generation exhibits even more compact dimensions. It can be put together from a choice of different reel holders and alternative shrinkage variants. Accessibility to the station has been improved, the functional dependability upgraded, and change-over of all handling parts has

The Martin MLS Automatic Splicer is a compact lap splicer for non-stop unwinding at full press speed. Its compact design makes it ideal as a mid-press splicer mounted either in-line above printing units or at right angles. The MLS splicer is well suited for laminating and foiling applications. When combined with other Martin Automatic splicing and rewinding equipment, the MLS offers printers the increase productivity and reduced waste that results from production that is uninterrupted by manual roll changes. Design features of the MLS include: * Space-saving design. The MLS can be fitted above the running web of many narrow web presses, without adding length to the line. * Pull-out spindles and splice unit. Each unwind position includes a spindle and half of the splice unit. The operator loads rolls and prepares splices from an ergonomic location in the aisle, then returns the spindle and splice unit to its running position. * Automatic splice initiation. The MLS monitors the d

Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CCK) ( www.crowncork.com ), announces that it will construct a new beverage can plant in Kechnec, in eastern Slovakia. The new plant, which will be operational in Q4 2009, will have an initial capacity of 750 million cans a year, and will be designed to support the addition of further production lines, as future market needs require. Crown has been present in Eastern Europe for many years. The company already operates five production plants in Eastern Europe for its food and closures businesses. "Central & Eastern Europe are fast-growing, strategic regions for the company," says Ralph Lambert, Vice President of Crown's beverage business in Eastern Europe. "Major international brewers and soft drinks companies are investing heavily in the area and Kechnec, in eastern Slovakia, is the ideal place for supporting our customers across the region and further strengthening Crown's geographic footprint in Europe. We believe that Slova

Sidel will demonstrate innovative and sustainable solutions that result in improved performance, higher productivity and substantial cost savings. At its 10,240 sq. ft. booth, (S-2259), Sidel will highlight not only its blow-molding expertise, but its innovative labeling, filling, Predis™ dry preform decontamination system, capfeeding and conveying equipment as well as package development and tooling services. A special area of the booth will be devoted to Life Cycle Management solutions to improve performance and lower costs while meeting sustainability goals. To address specific energy, water, air and other consumption issues, a special calculator will demonstrate the savings available through options and upgrades on existing equipment. Sidel equipment to be shown at Pack Expo includes: * SBO 4 Compact Preferential Heating, Sidel’s latest blow molding machine. This small, economic, flexible machine enables production of PET packages that are flat or have complex shapes

Xeikon, a division of Punch Graphix, legendary for pioneering the first digital color presses, today announced the launch of the Xeikon 3000, its latest digital label press. The Xeikon 3000 joins the Xeikon 3300, which was unveiled earlier this year at drupa 2008 and completes the company’s product portfolio for the label and packaging industry. The Xeikon 3300 represents a quantum leap in label print quality, offering true 1200 dpi at four bits per spot. With a top speed of 63 feet per minute and a monthly duty cycle of 2,300,000 feet, it is an extremely fast digital color label press, particularly suited for short to medium print runs and just-in-time jobs. The Xeikon 3000 represents the entry-level counterpart of the Xeikon 3300. It is a perfect fit for label converters who are eager to enter digital printing but do not need the high speed and productivity of the Xeikon 3300 just yet. It is also an ideal press for label converters wanting to focus on niche applications such as

Makers of fine English wines, Bookers Vineyard were conscious of the need to encourage repeat sales and turned to self-adhesive label specialists Goldcrest for ideas. "I'm sure we've all been there," said Samantha Linter of Bookers Vineyard, "looking at the shelves full of different wines, trying to remember the name of that wine, the one we tried and really liked." "Bookers Vineyard wanted a way to ensure that when our wine was enjoyed, the customer could find us again. Goldcrest labels gave us a simple but effective way of keeping out product in the memory." By providing a perforated tab to the back label on each bottle, giving wine details and promoting the Bookers Vineyards brand, Goldcrest were able to give the consumer an easy way to remember a fine wine. Once removed, the tab can be kept as a reference for future purchases. Bookers Vineyards found that the MemoryTab has put their product in the prime position for the repeat sale. The

LabelCorp Holdings, Inc. (“YORK Label”), a leading provider of high quality, innovative labeling and packaging solutions, announced today that the Company has formalized its partnership with Diamond Castle Holdings, LLC (“Diamond Castle”) of New York. The sale transaction closed today. In June of this year, Diamond Castle, in partnership with YORK Label’s Senior Management Team, signed a definitive purchase agreement with Wind Point Partners of Chicago, Illinois. YORK Label’s Senior Management Team will remain in place and maintain a significant ownership stake in the Company.( read more )

Xeikon ( www.xeikon.com ), a division of Punch Graphix, legendary for pioneering the first digital color presses, today announced that the company will be demonstrating the Xeikon 3300, a radically new digital color label press, at booth #6135 during Labelexpo Americas 2008.   The Xeikon 3300, which was unveiled earlier this year at drupa 2008, represents a quantum leap in label print quality, offering true 1200 dpi at four bits per spot. With a top speed of 63 feet per minute, it is an extremely fast digital color label press, particularly suited for short to medium print runs and just-in-time jobs.  ( read more )

Eerbeek, August 2008 –Jim Hammer heads up a trend-setting printing company in the United States. He invested in the VSOP from Drent Goebel. What were his motives for changing over to offset and how does he assess the press in day-today production? Lead, don’t follow. That is the philosophy of Hammer packaging, a 400-man strong company based in the Rochester, NY area. The company specializes in film and paper labels including cut-and-stack, and pressure sensitive. ( read more )

One World – One Drupa – One Blumer. The world’s leading provider of complete solutions in the label and card processing sector is famous for its innovative drive. At this year’s print and paper trade fair Drupa , the Swiss machine manufacturer was working with the Spanish firm Kmec to demonstrate how you can get from the printed roll to banded stacks of labels with “no hands”. This fully-automated complete solution means that some of the previously vital cutting processes are no longer necessary. Blumer also presented a fully-automated strip cross-cutter for large format and all-round labels for the very first time. ( read more )