Labelling Blog

Two new Xeikon presses double the choice of speeds and media widths. Xeikon announces the expansion of its successful family of digital label presses to four models which are now collectively named the Xeikon 3000 Series. This is the largest range of digital label presses on the market today, including one completely new model –the Xeikon 3050– and an upgraded replacement for the original Xeikon 3000 model called the Xeikon 3030. The new entry-level Xeikon 3030 will be introduced worldwide at the Labelexpo Americas exhibition in Chicago (14 -16 September 2010), where the recently announced flagship model, Xeikon 3500, will also be demonstrated for the first time in North America. “Since we introduced the Xeikon 3000 at Labelexpo Americas 2008 and the Xeikon 3300 at drupa 2008, our sales revenues in the label market have grown substantially despite the economic downturn,” says Filip Weymans, Business Development Manager Labels & Packaging at Xeikon. “Label applications are ...

Web widths up to 516 mm (20.3”) give greater format flexibility and throughput Xeikon is introducing the Xeikon 3050, the fourth model in its dedicated range of digital label presses, called the Xeikon 3000 Series. The new press offers users an entry-level digital printing solution for applications that benefit from a wider web width capability. “The Xeikon 3050 offers label converters an attractive entry-level investment into high quality digital label printing, with the additional flexibility of greater width,” says Filip Weymans, Business Development Manager Labels & Packaging. “It completes our Xeikon 3000 Series. We can now offer entry-level and high productivity versions in two print widths, all with the same high quality of printing.” Maximum web widths The flexible print width of the Xeikon 3050 allows customers to print according to the job requirements. Depending on their size, labels can be imposed more efficiently which results in higher throughput. The Xeiko...

Leading shrink-sleeve manufacturer Chadwicks has appointed packaging expert Mike Kelly as Account Manager. Mike will be responsible for managing the company’s existing accounts and exploring a number of business development strategies for Chadwicks’ sleeves division, which is part of the Flexible Packaging Division of the Clondalkin Group. He will also be involved in raising Chadwicks’ profile to add more customers to the firm’s already-impressive portfolio. Mike has 25 years’ experience in the packaging industry, including working in both the production and sales departments of several packaging manufacturers. His experience includes the selling of printed labels, boxes and bags, punnets and pouches, as well as shrink sleeves, which is one of Chadwicks’ high growth areas. Mike said: “The vision I have for Chadwicks sleeve division over the next five to 10 years is to increase turnover and ensure that we are the shrink sleeve supplier of choice in the UK, without losing our...

The TS-Bork 750 ml wine bottle, which is manufactured by the glassworks Vetropack Moravia Glass, was awarded as part of the Packaging of 2010 competition. The expert jury chose from a total of 80 entered exhibits while 30 of the best packaging designs won the Packaging of 2010 award. The original wine bottle is manufactured by the Kyjov glassworks for the Tereziánské sklepy (Theresian Cellars) wine company. The Moravian wine company with its rich tradition decided, as part of its extensive innovations, to provide its wine with a new "cover". Cooperation with Vetropack Moravia Glass in developing this new bottle came to fruition in the form of a luxury container with the grand name of the Theresia karafa (Theresian Carafe). The ceremonious presentation of the award will take place at the Packaging Gala Evening on 18 November 2010 at the Prague Hotel Olympik Artemis. The winning packaging will be entered in the WorldStar for Packaging competition. This year the jury will...

Xeikon, a leader in digital color printing innovation, announced today that its latest label presses offer converters a much higher productivity with its ‘one-pass’ opaque white toner to create the ‘no label or label-less look’ on transparent labels. Transparent – or clear film – self-adhesive labels have emerged as a highly desirable option for companies looking to enhance their brand image and seeking an alternative to glue-attached paper labels. “Clearly, an increasing number of brands are recognizing that they can achieve a higher impact on the shelf with this ‘no label or label-less look’, as it provides a more natural and aesthetically pleasing appearance,” said Filip Weymans, Business Development Manager – Labels and Packaging at Xeikon. “Xeikon stands alone as the only digital color label press manufacturer with a ‘one-pass’ opaque white capability. As a result, label converters can now create this look with a much higher productivity on the Xeikon technology. We’re happy to ...

UPM Raflatac's Pharmalite is an economical lightweight paper face for pharmaceutical laboratory use, logistics and branding. Available with UPM Raflatac's pharmaceutical adhesives, Pharmalite covers a wide range of pharmaceutical applications, labelling product boxes, circulating containers and small-diameter glass and HDPE test tubes and syringes. It is also suitable for autoclave and other sterilization methods.   About UPM Raflatac UPM Raflatac, part of UPM’s Engineered Materials business group, is one of the world’s leading suppliers of self-adhesive label materials and the world’s number one producer of HF and UHF radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and inlays. UPM Raflatac has a global service network consisting of 13 factories on five continents and a broad network of sales offices and slitting and distribution terminals worldwide. UPM Raflatac employs 2,600 people and made sales of approximately EUR 0.95 billion (USD 1....

Labeling Systems introduces the Model 1400 Corner Wrap Labeling System designed to print and apply labels to the corner of a case.  The system can be configured to apply to the leading/side panels or trailing/side panels of a case. While the Model 1400 is suitable for most corner wrap applications, the system can also be designed to fulfill e-pedigree or track-and-trace initiatives for the pharmaceutical industry.  Interfacing with a third party data management system, the system uniquely marks and identifies each product and case as a unique and individual unit for the ability to track-and-trace throughout the distribution chain. Individual product units are encoded through the use of an RFID tag with a unique identifier or serial number through an upstream process.  Units are typically gathered into bundles and packed into a case.  Cases are then introduced to the LSI Model 1400 Case Labeling System.  Data is transferred to the LSI Print & Apply Lab...

Punch Graphix, holding company of the Xeikon and basysPrint brands, published its mid-year financial report today with considerably strong revenue and profit growth for both its equipment and consumable business. “Our recurring digital print consumable revenue is up significantly by 21 %, proving Xeikon customers are growing their business and are printing more jobs due to the greater application reach our products can offer," Says Wim Maes, CEO of Punch Graphix. "Our equipment sales is up 23%, as new business partners around the world discover how our solutions bring them considerable advantages over their competitors and generate real profits in today’s challenged markets. Additionally, our prepress business unit is up over 30% illustrating the markets’ desire for a cost-effective UV analog solution! Our numbers are strong and reflect a solid performance around the world. I’m proud of the achievement of our team!” Business results are up across the board! Maes continu...

Exhibit in booth 5202 focuses on new Suite 10 solutions for label and tag prepress and workflow,Kongsberg i -XE10 digital finishing system for labels and Digital Flexo solutions, featuring HD Flexo. EskoArtwork ( www.esko.com ), a global supplier and integrator of innovative solutions for packaging and labels, with the help of ‘EskoMan', will demonstrate at Labelexpo Americas 2010, booth 5202, a number of technology ‘heroes’ — solutions that support Labelexpo’s theme of technology to the rescue for tag and label printers. Comprehensive, hands-on demonstrations will provide visitors extensive information to help them create and produce tags and labels more efficiently. In doing so, EskoArtwork brings its customers to new levels of industrialization and standardization to improve quality and consistency, and remove cost and time out of the design to print process. “EskoArtwork has come to the call of many label printers who have needed help with their workflows and flexo plate pr...

The BAPC is thrilled to announce that Jeff Hayzlett from the USA has agreed to speak at the 2010 conference. Jeff, a change agent, thought leader and sometimes cowboy is a renowned Marketing expert and is Kodak’s former Chief Marketing Officer. Hailed as a “Celebrity CMO” by Forbes Magazine and famous for his outspoken appearances on numerous television networks, Jeff Hayzlett is widely recognised as one of the most influential marketeers of our time. His first business book ‘The Mirror Test’ is now a major best seller, Jeff holds a mirror up to the face of your operation – first to see if its really breathing then to see how it can grow and then benefit from change. Jeff teaches audiences – through entertaining and timely anecdotes – “to adapt or die” and “win before you begin” providing relevant practical techniques. The big American, flying over especially to appear at the conference, joins a formidable team of speakers and presenters including Naga Munchetty, who will host the ...

In the AVT Stand, ROTOCONTROL will demonstrate features and benefits of the RSP Single Pass 100% Security Inspection Machine. At Labelexpo Americas 2010 ROTOCONTROL is set to unveil  the RSP Single Pass 100% Security Inspection Machine in the AVT Stand, and will be running live material demonstrations with the AVT Helios II 100% Vision System. Specifically designed for compliance with the most demanding security label inspection and finishing applications, the ROTOCONTROL RSP machine also features an extremely small footprint:  only 1.2 x 2.6 meters of floor space plus the moveable control panel.  The RSP machines are available in 340, 440 and 540mm web widths with all of the options normally associated with the RSC Slitter/Rewinder Inspection machines including large capacity separate unwind, shear and razor slitting cartridges, waste wind-up, strobe illumination and multiple shaft sizes. Marco Aengenvoort, Managing Director of ROTOCONTROL commented: "...

Wine labeling is one of the most dynamic niche markets today for all the product identification and decoration technologies – with pressure-sensitive solutions enjoying the most significant growth today and forecast to continue to take an increased market share around the world. The timely publication of AWA Alexander Watson Associates’ latest analysis of the wine labeling market, the AWAreness™ Report ‘ Global Wine and Wine Label Market & Technology Review 2010’ provides an up-to-the-minute overview of the opportunities. Label producers, material suppliers, and the wine producers themselves can benefit from the content of this new report from AWA Alexander Watson Associates – an international publishing and market research company whose specialization and expertise in the labeling market as a whole extends over many years. Outlining the overall structure of the global wine market and its defined geographical regions, the report drills down into wine labeling in those regions; ...

Serbian food company FOODLAND manufactured an excellent new product within its famous brand “ Bakina Tajna ” (Granny’s Secret) - home made country ketchup. Foodland’s production plant is situated at the foot of mountain Kopaonik, in a nearby and ecologically clean, uncontaminated environment of BRUS municipality, village Kobilje. PGS designed the label for ketchup. It is the first in the line of designed products and it announced the re-branding of Granny’s Secret old packaging design, which shall soon be replaced by the new one. Source: http://www.petergregson.com

Sweden’s Gripsholm Distillery has made its Kanon Organic Vodka available to the U.S. market. Kanon Organic Vodka is distilled from locally grown organic wheat and uses a unique organic distillation process. The vodka is packaged in a 750 mL bottle that is made from more than 60 percent recycled glass, and its distillery runs on wind and water power. Source: Glass Packaging Institute (www.gpi.org)

Since its introduction at LabelExpo Europe 2007, Nilpeter's inline CASLON system and digital front-end have undergone steady improvements . Typically, the system comprises a CMYK InkJet print engine with Xaar's Type 1001 greyscale print heads integrated with Nilpeter FA-Line flexo printing units and converting functions. It offers several process and special-colour options, including opaque white, using UV-curable InkJet and flexo inks . Commercial acceptance has begun to take off: Over the past few months Nilpeter's Italian distributor has sold two complete CASLON lines, and the US and UK subsidiary companies have each sold a system . This level of success reflects the global acceptance of digital InkJet printing for key applications within the labelling and packaging industry. It also raises an inescapable question: How do you integrate a digital solution with conventional printing methods? This was a key subject discussed at the second Digital Label Summit, held recent...

Castorani is an Italian winery estate since 1793, co-owned by Formula 1 driver Jarno Trulli. One of their premium wines is ‘Podere Castorani’, produced only from the finest Montepulciano D’Abruzzo grapes, and recently won the prestigious “Diploma di Gran Menzione 2010” award.  As the brand was losing market share, Cartils has been asked to refresh the label presentation ensuring a more contemporary look while keeping tradition and quality as key values for their “Podere Castorani” brand. A new label material was selected to guarantee an increased premium look and feel. The historical icon of the farm was made simpler with increased stand out and the logo “Podere Castorani” was made bolder and embossed to improve legibility, relevance and shelf impact. Looking into the corporate brand architecture, there was an inconsistency with the lack of a unifying driver as well as the confusing relationship between the “Podere Castorani” company and the product name, a great concern for...

Sure and flexible data acquisition with the ((rfid))-Foam label by Schreiner LogiData. Contactless acquisition, marking and tracking of items: RFID technology has firmly established itself in the logistics sector. But its use on metallic surfaces in particular continues to pose a major challenge. When the RFID labels are directly attached to metal, readability drops nearly to zero. The ((rfid))-Foam label by Schreiner LogiData solves this problem with a spacer made of a special foam. The ((rfid))-Foam label separates the RFID antenna from the metallic substrate by means of a spacer and thus enables trouble-free read/write operations. The spacer consists of high-grade industrial foam and is particularly durable and resistant. The RFID label itself has an adhesive area which enables direct attachment to a metallic surface. The flexible, low-cost ((rfid))-Foam label can be equipped with a wide range of chip technologies and inlay sizes. This makes the label equally suitable for m...

During next 2011 the following events will take place: Preliminary 2011 EVENTS PROGRAM International Sleeve Label Conference 2011 April 13-14, 2011 -  Amsterdam, The Netherlands,  Okura Hotel                Mergers & Acquisitions Executive Forum 2010 - Resin and Fiber Based Packaging, Coating, and Converting Conference March 29 (evening) - 30, 2011 - Chicago, IL, USA,  Hyatt Rosemont O'Hare                Global Release Liner Industry Conference 2011             March 31 - April 1, 2011 - Chicago, IL, USA,   Hyatt  Rosemont O'Hare Updates will be published at  http://www.awa-bv.com/?c=event    On the other hand, here is a list of the remaining events for this 2010: Remaining 2010 EVENTS PROGRAM Label Release Liner Industry Seminar 2010 September 13, 2010 - Ch...

Two versatile grades of Label-Lyte™ oriented polypropylene (OPP) filmsdesigned to increase label production will debut at Labelexpo Americas 2010, in Chicago, September 14-16. Label-Lyte 50LL539 (clear) and Label-Lyte 60LH538 (opaque) films for pressure-sensitive labels deliver a re-engineered, enhanced solution for printers and roll stock laminators. Both grades are designed to comply with EU directives limiting the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during manufacture. The new grades are two-side coated, multilayer, biaxially OPP label facestock for pressure-sensitive applications requiring durability and aesthetic appeal. They are designed for low static in unwinding operations to enable high productivity, low scrap and reduced machine adjustments. Labelexpo Americas 2010 will be held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Label-Lyte films will be on display in Hall F, Booth 5722. The new Label-Lyte films will also be showcased at PACK EXPO International 2...

The SERVAL , is a compact two rewind shafts slitter rewinder with short web pass between the unwind and the rewind station, designed to fulfil the needs of label printers who are using narrow web machines. All the accessories and the control panel are incorporated in the machine allowing a short time for installation and commissioning. The cantilevered design gives the best access for loading and unloading reel. We offer an high performance and economical machine with high quality equipments. This machine is in the range of narrow web DCM-Usimeca which already includes rotogravure printing machine BIVA, machine for the production of shrinkable SLEEVE, doctoring machine BABYCAT and sleeve cutting machine SLEEVECUT. Source: http://www.dcm.fr/

Short run demand continues to dominate discussions in the label printing industry and Mark Andy has a strong, proven solution. As a leading supplier of flexographic print and finishing technologies, Mark Andy Inc. has spent extensive R&D efforts to design a completely new solution to meet the specific demands of short run, while addressing a variety of other converter business challenges as well. Costs, setup times and ease of operation are all arguments used to position digital printing as the sole solution for short run projects. The technology of the Performance Series by Mark Andy shatters these perceptions. Central to the Performance Series' design for short run printing is its revolutionary print station/print deck design. A unique plate roll system allows for repeat sizes as small as 5 ½ inches, extensively reducing plate costs. Ink costs are also lowered due to the small amounts required for shorter production runs (as little as 6 oz. ink per station). New web path de...

At the Pack Expo, Krones AG, Neutraubling, Germany, will be exhibiting a demonstration unit featuring new tube modules for shell-and-tube heat exchanger systems. It’s not least the combination of smooth and cross-corrugated tubes that ensures maximized flexibility in terms of product viscosity. This design feature is crucial for handling products of different viscosities, from water-viscous to highly viscous. The combination of smooth and cross-corrugated tubes, moreover, offers an equally high degree of flexibility in terms of output adjustment: the system’s volume flow can be regulated from 100 to 30 percent to suit the product involved. A second generation of modularized labelers Modularized labelers have more than proved their worth in actual operation. Almost 500 modularized machines sold, with over 2,000 labeling stations, bear eloquent witness. As the company who originally developed the very first modularized machines, Krones has now design-enhanced the technology involv...

During the last few years Ashe Converting Equipment and Kelva web cleaning have installed a number of machines requiring web with a much higher level of cleanliness that is usually required in normal converting operations. Both companies have seen a rise in the requirements for machines working in clean, or semi clean room environments, and needing absolute web cleanliness and both are well served to do this with the experience gained. The increases have not been isolated to one industry, the medical industry, automotive and photovoltaic all have been at the front of an expansion and interest for these types of machines. Ashe have worked with web cleaning specialists to produce machines with this equipment fully integrated into the range of machines ashe already produces for the web converting industry, the Ashe machines are already well suited to this type of work and many installations over the years have proven this. Already standard on all of its machines are the totally ele...

Avery Dennison has promoted Jeroen Diderich to the post of vice president, sales, for Roll Materials Europe Division, based in Leiden, The Netherlands.   In his new position, Mr Diderich will work to optimise customer and sales service with the marketing, supply chain, and operations teams, both regionally and globally.   He is responsible for driving profitable growth for Fasson labelstocks in Europe, with particular reference to the emerging geographical markets, as well as for increasing the overall market share of self-adhesive labelling. Mr Diderich joined Avery Dennison in 2003 as director, supply chain, and was promoted to vice president, supply chain and operations, two years later.   In the ensuing years, he has been instrumental in implementing Enterprise Lean Sigma, for which he received an Avery Dennison Leadership Excellence Award in 2009;  and – having brought divisional safety performance to a world class level – he was also recogni...

  North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN) is a nonprofit organization that creates innovative employment initiatives in a distressed Chicago neighborhood. The organization has developed Beeline all natural honey, a blend of honey from local beehives. The honey ranges from pale amber in color to a dark golden tone, depending on the season, and is packaged in 16 oz. glass jars featuring minimalistic, modern cut and stack labeling. Source:  GPI (www.gpi.org)