Labelling Blog

Screen announces the appointment of Rotocon as specialist reseller for the Screen Truepress Jet L350UV digital label press across Southern Africa and Mauritius. With over 30 years' experience, Rotocon is the region’s leading supplier of a broad range of equipment and services to narrow-web printers and converters in the region. The innovative Screen Truepress Jet L350UV press adds digital label printing to the Rotocon suite of products for the first time and the company will provide full sales and support for the new press to its customers.   Mark Sherman, Area Director, Screen Europe and Michael Aengenvoort, Director, Rotocon The Truepress Jet L350UV is a high-quality and ultra-reliable digital label press that delivers flexibility, low cost of ownership and a swift return on investment. The high-speed press prints at up to 50 sqm/minute on a 350mm web. Using Screen’s high-definition CMYK+W UV inks and featuring advanced colour management technology, the Truepress Jet L

Epson today announced that sales of its SurePress inkjet digital label press had reached one hundred worldwide. The hundredth unit was installed by Kanae Co., Ltd., based in Nagano, Japan. Epson launched the SurePress L-4033A in October 2010, steadily raising the product’s performance on the basis of ongoing discussions with customers, and building up a strong sales and service network worldwide. In December 2012, Epson increased sales further after launching the SurePress L-4033AW with white ink. Sales have steadily accumulated and the 100 units sold to date have contributed to Epson’s current market share of approximately 10%.*   (Mr. Tsuyoshi Kitahara, Chief Operating Officer, Industrial Solutions Operations Division, Seiko Epson Corporation, and President of Kanae Co., Ltd.)   SurePress achieves magnificent color reproduction on a wide variety of label substrates thanks to Epson’s original Micro Piezo inkjet technology and original soluble inks. It has also been prai

“The highest possible standard in platemaking” – that is the Flex-Punkt philosophy. It is a claim that goes hand in hand with very high quality demands. And when it comes to photopolymer flexographic printing plates, it is a challenge the company is rising to with its KODAK FLEXCEL NX Wide System . “Nowadays, we are so flexible in our operations that we can simply ask our customers what they want. Because we can do anything,” explains Günther Weber. “Anything” is the way the Managing Director and sole partner of Flex-Punkt Druckformen GmbH describes the wide range of flexographic printing plates the company produces. This business, which is active in the prepress sector, uses direct laser engraving technology to manufacture elastomer endless sleeves and plates as well as photopolymer sleeves and plates in-house, and can supply the latter products mounted on either sleeves or cylinders. Since it was founded in 1994, the company’s main role has been that of service provider to packagin

On 8 May, 2014, Brigl & Bergmeister signed the purchase agreement to acquire 100% shares of the paper mill Uetersen from Stora-Enso Group. With a capacity of 240,000 tons per year, the paper mill, (formerly known as Feldmühle Papierfabrik), manufactures one side coated specialty papers (labels and flexible packaging) as well as high quality ‘’two side coated’’ graphical paper and board on 2 paper machines. The acquisition results in creation of a leading global supplier of specialty papers with an extensive product portfolio. The synergies which can be achieved as a result of this merger will also ensure that Uetersen in Schleswig-Holstein will remain an attractive employer in the region. In 2011, B&B with its paper mills in Niklasdorf (Austria) and Vevče (Slovenia) was purchased by the Roxcel paper trading group as their first move into the paper production. Meanwhile, the group has acquired the waste to energy company ‘’ENAGES’’ in 2012, to ensure the secure and envi

The Label Printers participated as a Presenter at the recent Sustainable Waste Management Conference, hosted by the Lake Michigan States Section of the Air & Waste Management Association. The Label Printers’ George Tommasi (Director of Human Resources, TLP’s Illinois EPA Compliance Representative, and the TLMI L.I.F.E. [the Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute’s sustainability program] team leader) participated as a Presenter at the recent Sustainable Waste Management Conference, hosted by the Lake Michigan States Section of the Air & Waste Management Association. Mr. Tommasi was invited to present at the Conference to both: a. discuss the success of TLP’s sustainability program (a winner of back-to-back Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Awards and TLMI) Environmental Leadership Awards , as well as the Flexographic Technical Association’s (FTA) 2012 Environmental Excellence Awards honorable mention), and b. give conference participants the “small business” per

KODAK SONORA XP Process Free Plates deliver quality, productivity and sustainability to a company committed to reducing its environmental impact. Graficasette entered the printing business in 1977. Today it is an industrial printworks with headquarters in Bagnolo Mella, near Brescia, Italy, which employs twenty people and produces sales brochures, catalogues, gadgets, magazines, pre-printed forms, posters and fine books as well as cardboard cases, boxes, cardboard posters, shopping bags and many other articles. Graficasette was looking for a quality plate that was also sustainable and found the ideal solution in KODAK SONORA XP Process Free Plates . When the press is started up, the dampening solution is absorbed and prepares the un-imaged coating for removal. The press eliminates the coating after the first few prints.   By eliminating all processing, KODAK SONORA XP Process Free plates increase productivity, simplify operations, eliminate the costs associated with purchase

MAXStick Products Ltd., an industry leading supplier of liner-free, removable adhesive label products is proud to announce the release of a new MAXStick Liner-Free Label Printer. Equipped with our signature platen roller, the LLP1800 MAXStick Liner-Free Label Printer is crafted by Martel Instruments, a global manufacturer of custom printer solutions. Utilizing the latest innovative printer technology, the LLP1800 offers an “easy open” label roll feature as well as a wide array of customizable features such as Wi-Fi support, Bluetooth capabilities, numerous international character sets, barcodes and several different modes of operation. The new printer is designed to handle 58mm label media and can accommodate MAXStick liner-free rolls up to a 48mm diameter. “Manufactured to extremely high quality standards at our UK plant, the LLP1800 can be fully customized and is available globally in any order quantity,” said Joanne Hockaday, Martel Instruments Commercial Manager. “The combina

  Aset-Bidoit continues innovating and now offers a new paper in exclusivity, "voluto!" Tense, its very good shape memory gives a perfect visual effects on  embossing, debossing and shaped hot foils. Moreover, its "Soft Touch" aspect gives it a soft and textured touch that will delight lovers of simple and quality papers. Thicker (110gr) and ultra white, it has a better fit and a better final result once placed on the bottle. This paper allows  to venture in creativity on unrealizable technical platforms so far with textured paper called "open" (absorbent), which absorbs the varnish. With “Voluto”, all the techniques can be done. Source: aset-bidoit.com

The 11th edition of Label Summit Latin America drew its highest ever number of attendees as it concluded in Medellin last week. 747 senior level delegates including label and package printers and brand owners joined together to analyze the application of best practices and new technologies to accelerate business opportunities and economic development across the Andean region. Held in Colombia for the first time, the two-day event which featured a packed conference program, table-top exhibition and networking function, is the largest gathering for the label and package printing industry in Latin America. Delegates came from right across the continent with attendees from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Uruguay and Venezuela. Over 50 leading industry suppliers exhibited with companies including Arclad, Avery Dennison, EFI, Flint Group, Mark Andy, MPS, Nilpeter, Omet, Prati, RotoMetrics, Sun Chemical, UPM Raflatac and Xeikon. The event’s mood

Esko’s ( www.esko.com ) Kongsberg C digital finishing platform has been awarded as Best Large Format Finishing System by the European Digital Press Association (EDP). Marian Zincke, Esko Vice President, Digital Finishing Business, says, “We are delighted with this industry recognition. We already knew the Kongsberg C leapfrogs competitive tables in many ways but it is reassuring to see this acknowledged by the EDP association. We believe the “C” in Kongsberg C stands for Capability, Capacity, Consistency, Choice and a Complete solution. Since its launch it has been received with great enthusiasm by our customers.” Esko Kongsberg C provides the highest versatility for all sign, display and packaging applications. One of the most noticeable new features is the innovative composite traverse technology that provides the fastest throughput along with the highest quality and precision in cutting and routing compared to all other systems of the same size. New models available include the

The HERMA Group continued its unbroken expansion in the 2013 fiscal year, again achieving growth in sales in its business with self-adhesive materials, labels and labelling machines: the total revenues of 261.2 million euros represent a year-on-year increase of 6.4 % (from 245.6 million euros). “Having recorded the highest annual sales in company history to date in 2012, sustaining this success in 2013 was particularly challenging against the background of the weak economic recovery. We pulled it off and, with sales setting another record, we have again shown stronger growth than the market as a whole,” commented managing directors Sven Schneller and Dr. Thomas Baumgärtner. In doing so, the self-adhesive specialist benefited from the comparatively acceptable economic conditions on the domestic market this time around. Whereas Germany's gross domestic product edged up slightly, by 0.4 %, 2013 as a whole was a year of slowdown in the eurozone and many other foreign markets important

Two intelligent labels were developed to monitor the time and temperature of frozen products and to monitor the oxygen content in modified atmosphere packed fresh chilled food within the project IQ Freshlabel, coordinated by ttz Bremerhaven. Controlling the post production life cycle of food is an important element of food supply chains. Improper handling of product during transport, storage and in households results in quality defects, increases risk of microbial growth, subsequent spoilage and increases wasting of food.   IQ-Freshlabel developed intelligent labels to monitor the time and temperature of frozen products and to monitor the oxygen content in modified atmosphere packed fresh chilled food.(© ttz Bremerhaven) Previous investigations showed that there are still many unexploited application areas for time-temperature monitoring using smart labels. In the IQ-FRESHLABEL project, novel intelligent labels for indication of temperature abuse of frozen foods were develop

2013 was a year when economic growth at last accelerated for the global label and product decoration industry, with demand at 3.5% over prior year. There was a return to sustainable business levels in the developed European markets, but the North American market lagged behind global growth through a decline in demand for glue-applied systems. Growth in the emerging markets of China, India, and South America also slowed, but continued to be the powerhouse for overall global growth. The migration from established pressure-sensitive and glue-applied label formats to sleeving technologies continued, and positive growth in in-mold labeling was also in evidence.   World Demand for Labels 2013 Source: AWA These trends, along with raw material pricing, M&A activities in the industry, choice of labeling substrate, and perceptions of the market’s future directions are at the heart of AWA Alexander Watson Associates’ new Global Labeling & Product Decoration Market Update 2014.

MAX International Converters, Inc.  announces that they will be debuting new parking applications for MAXStick Liner-Free labels at the 2014 International Parking Institute Conference and Expo in Dallas, TX. The conference will be held June 1-4, 2014 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. MAX International plans to showcase the complete line of MAXStick Products with a variety of applications geared towards the parking industry as well as the latest mobile printer technology. MAX International Converters will be in Booth #1404 at the conference. MAXStick is the world’s first liner-free, repositionable adhesive, direct thermal label product crafted for everyday use in an assortment of industries including food service/hospitality, warehousing, retail, libraries, reusable plastic containers and medical diagnostics. MAXStick is an environmentally friendly labeling solution that is recyclable, Silicone-Free and BPA-Free. It is currently available in s

Faustel, Inc. reached a 10-year high for the fiscal year ending March 31. The privately held company emerged from the deep recession that hit the capital equipment industry even stronger than the prior years. Looking ahead to fiscal 2015, the converting equipment manufacturer expects a continuing upturn in activity. Expansion into new markets has helped Faustel create opportunities with new customers and diverse industries.  The areas of Lithium ion electrodes and battery separators, reverse osmosis membranes and medical device manufacturing have all seen significant recent growth.  Originally created to serve multi-national companies with operations in Asia, Faustel’s manufacturing facility in Xiamen, China is an integral part of the company’s ability to take on these emerging markets. To address the uptick in business Faustel expects to increase its staff over the next year. Job seekers can check the company website for a current list of job openings in engineering and operation

Full array of solutions on display at FESPA Digital 2014. Esko ( www.esko.com ), is demonstrating software solutions, from prepress through automated workflows for production and finishing, designed specifically for sign & display businesses at FESPA Digital 2014. Esko is located on stand B2-238 (Munich, Germany, 20-23 May).   “Esko is well-known in the sign & display graphics industry for our industry-leading Kongsberg cutting tables and i- cut software,” says Armand Gougay, Esko Vice President EMEA. “Our line of cutting tables are demonstrated at the show. But for true business success in today’s highly competitive market, sign & display companies must evaluate their entire workflows, removing as much time, errors and cost from the processes as possible. That’s where Esko's expertise in prepress and workflow automation can be applied. We are excited to present a wide array of software solutions at FESPA to help drive both business growth and profitability for

Michelman will be featuring its new DigiPrime® 4453 digital press primer formulated for use on Xeikon digital presses at the Xeikon Café event taking place May 20-22, 2014 in Antwerp, Belgium, Europe. The company will be part of the In-Mold Label Track at the Café. DigiPrime 4453 is a water based, water resistant primer that promotes adhesion of Xeikon electrophotographic toners to most paper and film substrates. It is particularly effective for difficult applications such as in-mold label printing. The new primer is approved for direct and indirect food contact in both Europe and the USA with limited restrictions depending on end-use. Customers can contact Michelman for a detailed Food Contact Declaration of Compliance. DigiPrime is Michelman’s flagship brand of digital press primer, and is designed to improve ink receptivity, rub resistance and image quality on printed materials. As a 100% aqueous product, DigiPrime is a safer option for operators and the environment than so

Indonesian printer PT Aneka Rupa Tera (ART) continues to add capabilities and capacity to its growing label business. The company recently installed another flexo press in their Surabaya facility. As with previous installations, they again equipped the new press with non-stop roll change equipment from Martin Automatic. Eko Kurniawan, General Manager, says that the company is expanding to meet the needs of the market. "More importantly, we are adopting a lean production system, which is in line with our mission to have more efficient production and less waste consumption. Martin Automatic technology is a great asset that we have in improving efficiency and waste reduction of our production. Its reliability enables our operators to focus more on the printing process and consistency in the printing quality." Aneka Rupa Tera was founded in 1985. From a small shop with 3 flatbed machines and 10 workers, ART has grown to include rotary letterpress, flexographic, digital, offse

Entry-level digital cutting system offers the reliability, precision and ease of use Kongsberg tables are recognized for. Esko ( www.esko.com ) announces that it has extended the world-leading family of Kongsberg digital finishing tables by introducing the new Kongsberg V series . Kongsberg V cutting tables deliver reliability, precision and ease of use for companies in the packaging and sign & display markets looking to complement their offerings with productive digital finishing. Built on the robustness of the Esko Kongsberg family, the new V series offers standard configurations for the best possible finishing quality of a highly diverse range of packaging and sign & display applications.   “The Kongsberg V series joins the well-known Esko Kongsberg X series and the recently launched large format C series platform,” says Marian Zincke, Esko VP Digital Finishing. “The launch of the V series extends our family of digital cutting solutions to make them accessible to co

ESMA’s Knowledge Hub Focuses on opportunities for functional, industrial and specialist printing. Want to know where the market gains and growth are in industrial printing? ESMA, the leading, non-profit association in Europe for specialist printing manufacturers of screen and digital print technology will detail how it shares its wealth of expertise via its Knowledge Hub at FESPA Digital 2014, on May 20-23 2014, Munich.     At its press conference on May 20 at 2pm in Room B11, Jon Bultemeyer from Marabu and chairman of ESMA, will provide an update on the new directions ESMA is taking - including a closer look at what the Knowledge Hub can offer from product information and expertise to understanding market drivers and challenges. Mr Bultemeyer comments: “This industry is fast-growing and vibrant with a huge number of opportunities and we look forward to highlighting what our Knowledge Hub can offer. We are also keen to demonstrate how we can help operations maximise their