Labelling Blog

Two Label Academy master classes offer visitors to Labelexpo Europe 2015 the opportunity to gain the printing knowledge of renowned industry experts. The master classes - Digital Label and Package Printing and Conventional Label Printing Processes - will take place concurrently on 2 October, the show’s final day. Delegates can register for both on the show’s website now. Labelexpo Europe 2015 to be held at Brussels Expo in Belgium runs from 29 September to 2 October. The Label Academy is the global training and certification program for the label and package printing industry. These master classes support its training modules in digital and conventional printing. Digital Label and Package Printing - is led by industry expert, Mike Fairley, director, strategic development, Labelexpo Global Series, with other digital printing specialists from HP Indigo, Xeikon, Domino, Esko, Avery Dennison and A B Graphic International. Starting at 09.00 this master class covers the full gamut of d...

Leading Spanish large format print production company Verdú Digital is the first in the region to streamline operations with the Esko Kongsberg C64 multi-functional large format digital finishing system. With an annual production of more than 180.000 m2 of canvas, vinyl and textiles, Verdú Digital has also invested in several Esko design and workflow software solutions to help it better service customers across Europe, including key clients in France, Portugal and Italy. Vicente Verdú, Commercial Director of Verdú Digital, explains the positive impact implementing the Esko solutions has made: "In the past, we've completed large format sign and display production manually or by subcontracting. Installing the Esko Kongsberg C64 Kongsberg cutting table, meant a radical change for the company. It not only brings time and cost savings, but we can now also accept more projects than we’ve ever been able to before.” To service its portfolio of over 8.000 clients, Verdú Digital...

Watershed Packaging are a fast growing adhesive label and flexible packaging producer with three production sites, including a recently completed  custom-built factory in Leeds. Watershed needed a slitting machine with fast set-up times to slit material used within its conversion operation. Watershed chose the Universal X6 for its automatic shear knife set up, ease of operation and closed loop tension control.  The X6 automation systems and fast, easy job set-up enable Watershed to respond quickly to customers’ requirements with minimal downtime and reduced waste. The Universal X6 slitting machine is designed for processing flexible materials. A typical specification includes digital web guiding, automatic knife setting (ComputaSlit), an additional tension zone through slitting, closed loop rewind tension control, constant geometry contact rollers, automatic core alignment (ComputaCore) and a running speed of 600m/min. The machine is designed to be simple to operate with a...

Kodak has received two of the 10 overall 2015 InterTech™ Technology Awards for its KODAK PROSPER 6000 Presses and newly-launched NX advantage for the KODAK FLEXCEL NX System . Since 1978, the Printing Industries of America (PIA) InterTech™ Technology Awards have honored the development of technologies predicted to have a major impact on the graphic arts and related industries. The KODAK PROSPER 6000 Presses and NX advantage for the KODAK FLEXCEL NX System were selected by an independent panel of judges based on their innovation and likelihood of advancing the performance of the graphic communications industry. Kodak far exceeded the printing industry’s expectations, emerging from this year’s competition as the only company to take home more than one award – a true testament to the priority Kodak’s R&D teams place on developing the industry’s most innovative and sustainable printing technologies.       These two 2015 InterTech™ Technology Award...

X-Rite Incorporated, has announced that the X-Rite eXact spectrophotometer with Scan Option was the recipient of the 2015 Printing Industries of America InterTech Technology Award for Innovative Excellence. Since 1978, the InterTech Technology Awards have honored the development of technologies predicted to have a major impact on the graphic arts and related industries. “We are honored to be a recipient of this prestigious award,” said Ron Voigt, X-Rite’s President. “eXact with Scan Option continues X-Rite’s legacy of innovation and provides printing and packaging firms with much-needed capabilities for improving color accuracy, efficiency, and the ability to more easily comply with industry standards.” The X-Rite eXact spectrophotometer with Scan Option is a next generation handheld color measurement solution that enables printers and packaging converters to truly understand, control, manage and communicate color across the entire color workflow, avoiding reprints and rework....

iSys Label and iSys–The Imaging Systems Group Inc., the Canadian developers and manufacturers of short to mid run digital label printers, are pleased to announce an additional GHS BS5609 material has passed Section 3 certification for use in the EDGE 850 digital label printer. The recently approved substrate is matte white polyester from UPM Raflatac, with part number LS276R. Rolls of material can be purchased from iSys-appointed converters in the United States. Randy Rickert, Director at iSys Label, says “we’ve developed a strong relationship with UPM Raflatac over the years and are pleased to announce the addition of their substrate to our Certified Media Library. This material will provide our users with access to more solutions when printing BS5609-compliant labels.” In order to print fully-compliant drum and chemical labels; the facestock, adhesive and printed graphic all need to meet the requirements for sections 1, 2 and 3 of BS5609 standards and be independently tested an...

Avery Dennison released the results of its point-of-purchase (POP) tire label material research conducted in conjunction with Crain’s Communications, Inc.  An online survey solicited insight from a large global rubber and tire manufacturer database. The results demonstrated this audience’s growing interest in the importance of high performing tire tread labels. “New government regulations require tire manufacturers to include more information on tire tread labels, including details about fuel efficiency, safety and durability,” said Mark Pickner, director, Durables, Label and Packaging Materials, Avery Dennison, North America. “The label material must perform to high legibility and adhesion standards to convey these messages.” Avery Dennison conducted this research study as part of development of innovative label solutions for the tire industry. The research, based on the responses of more than 100 individuals, found 79.49 percent of respondents agreed that tire tread labels ar...

ROTOCON, a provider of consulting and service to South Africa label converters in the narrow web industry today announced the sale of AVT's newly-developed Helios S inspection solution with workflow links to Rotolabel for their Cape Town manufacturing facility. The order was led by Pascal Aengenvoort, sales director of ROTOCON. The AVT Helios S inspection solution Helios S is designed to boost inspection capabilities and pave the way towards the future of inspection and process control. Deploying a cutting-edge vision concept and the latest illumination technologies, Helios S is recognized as the leading inspection system in the market today. Robust and reliable, the system handles even thick embossed metalized substrates as well as highly-reflective holographic foils and laminates. Acquired by the Bidvest Group in 2008, Rotolabel today represents the Labelling Solutions division of Bidvest Paperplus - a leading supplier of printing, communications, packaging, labelling ...

To meet the two-digit market growth from carbonated soft drinks consumers, Oman Refreshment Company (ORC), a franchisee of PepsiCo International, has recently acquired a new production line from Sidel, the leading global provider of PET solutions for liquid packaging, which will enable the Omani bottler to increase its production capacity. ORC operates in different categories of the food and beverage market in Oman. The carbonated soft drinks category is the company’s main focus, which includes Pepsi, Mountain Dew and 7UP, to name but a few. ORC has an 89% market share of this category. According to industry estimates, carbonated soft drinks were the most consumed beverage items in Oman with 362.4 million litres recorded at the end of 2014, and a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.3 per cent over the next five years. Since February 2015, ORC has been operating a Sidel MatrixTM Combi12 line which produces carbonated soft drinks in a 2.25 litre format at a speed of...

Asahi Photoproducts, a pioneer in flexographic photopolymer plate development, today announced that British Daventry-based Creation Reprographics has been using the premium quality Asahi AWP™ flexographic plate system for the past three years with excellent results. Designed for high quality print performance, the AWP™ water wash plate outperforms the best digital plates currently available for flexo. For the first time, a digital photopolymer plate can hold extremely small stable dots – smaller than those of solvent processed plates – and its stability on press is superior to solvent plates, with numerous associated environmental and waste reduction benefits. Matt Francklow, Owner of Creation Reprographics, said: “Sustainability is truly coming to the fore in print. With this high quality water wash plate, it’s the final check for retailers. At Creation Reprographics, we have positioned ourselves in the premium segment of the market, competing head on with gravure in Europe and ser...

It sounds like every beer lover’s dream: fresh drafts of favorite craft beers poured direct from a tap in your own home. This summer that seemingly farfetched dream became reality with the introduction of an innovative countertop beer dispenser from St. Louis-based SYNEK™. SYNEK is a standalone home appliance that refrigerates, pressurizes and dispenses beer for the home consumer. The system is made possible by a custom-engineered flexible pouch that holds and preserves a full gallon of beer. The pouch is the result of a year-long collaboration involving SYNEK and Mondi’s Consumer Goods Packaging business in North America. “Because of the delicate nature of beer, the dispenser’s pouch is a critical draft system component,” says Markus Hoedebeck, vice president of product development, Mondi Jackson (Mo.). “The pouch is designed to handle the intense pressures produced by beer, which is well in excess of pressures in boxed wine bags, and also to preserve the beer’s freshness for over...

MPS Systems North America, Inc. (MPS) has announced Outlook Group Corp. in Neenah, Wis., has purchased and installed one of its EF flexo presses. According to Denny McGee, president of MPS America, Outlook Group Corp. purchased a 17-inch, 10-color EF Press with APC (Automated Print Control). The EF is MPS’s flagship press. It is a highly automated, multi-substrate flexo press that excels at label production and flexible packaging printing, and is known for its superior print quality, automation features, ease of operation and flexibility. Representatives from Outlook Group Corp. and MPS stand in front of Outlook Group’s new EF Press with APC, which it purchased from MPS. From left, Denny McGee, president, MPS America; Lee Feldmann, press operator, Outlook Group; Dave Struensee, press operator, Outlook Group; Brett Peters, senior process engineer, Outlook Group; and Kees Nijenhuis, vice president, MPS Systems North America.   Brett Peters, senior process engineer at Outloo...

Avery Dennison has introduced a line of new syringe labeling products to its pharmaceutical portfolio. The portfolio extension features safe, compliant label stock solutions, which meet manufacturers’ high standards for syringe and tight mandrel pharmaceutical applications. “According to the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, the global pharmaceutical segment is projected to grow to more than $1 trillion by 2018, with focused growth in the oncology, diabetes, pain and autoimmune therapy areas,” said David Collins, marketing director, specialty, Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials - North America. High value drugs used to treat these ailments are commonly packaged in pre-filled syringes or vials and require labels that will remain securely in place during storage and use, and function according to the needs of the product. “Choosing the right label solution can help customers avoid costly failures at the packaging line,” said Collins. The new Avery Dennison syrin...

Esko announces the launch of its Software Suite release 14.1, a comprehensive update of its full Suite of software solutions. Besides a range of functional updates for each of the Suite’s applications, Esko Software Suite 14.1 will be rolling out with Software as a Service (SaaS) and Subscription options that give users greater flexibility, scalability and a lower total cost of ownership. “SaaS and Subscription models for software are becoming the de facto standard in the software industry,” explains Bernard Zwaenepoel, Esko’s SVP Software Business. “Esko has worked hard to keep pace with customer needs and industry trends, and to bring more value to customers with our Suite 14.1 release. While we have been offering a subscription model for some time for certain software modules, this release broadens the scope of that effort across more Suite 14.1 modules and responds to customer requests for increased cloud-based delivery of Esko software solutions. While perpetual software lic...

Vogue International, the makers of OGX hair care products collaborated with WS Packaging Group, Inc. and Avery Dennison (NYSE:AVY) to reduce the environmental impacts of pressure-sensitive labels on packaging. “Vogue International is committed to reducing our environmental impact and increasing transparency while maintaining our commitment to sustainable practices,” said Jamie Kontz, Marketing and Product Development Manager. “We encourage our suppliers and business associates to also make an effort toward practices that are not only commercially sound, but have a positive impact for future generations.” “Improvements in sustainability require collaboration across the value chain,” said Laura Clark, Avery Dennison FMCG Director, North America. “Vogue’s leadership in improving the environmental profile of packaging is driving the value chain to work closer together.” According to Vogue, using the Avery Dennison Greenprint TM methodology, a life cycle-based environmental performanc...

For a highly potent analgesic, Schreiner MediPharm developed an innovative functional label with ten detachable parts. This sophisticated label design for easy documentation and tracking of medications belongs to the proven Pharma-Comb product family. Reliable patient care depends upon clearly labeled medicines and comprehensive documentation of their administration. The Pharma-Comb product family helps ensure precise, efficient documentation of medications in patient records, and simplifies routine medical care in practices and hospitals. Pharma-Comb labels include one or more detachable parts that are printed with important information and, if necessary, also allow the physician or nurse to add additional hand-written data. Schreiner MediPharm provides diverse solutions that can be tailored to nearly any specific application. For a highly potent analgesic filled in small plastic containers and drawn using a pipette, a pharmaceutical customer needed a label with a particularly l...

Esko plans a big splash at Labelexpo Europe, the world's largest event for the label and package printing industry. On display right at the show floor entrance will be the full range of Esko solutions that help label and packaging converters build consistency and flexibility in their production workflows, no matter their size, the degree of complexity of their businesses or the printing technologies used. Esko will be located on stand 4C20. Labelexpo Europe 2015 takes place September 29th till October 2nd at the Brussels Expo in Belgium.   “Labelexpo Europe is always a great show for us,” states Armand Gougay, VP EMEA at Esko, “We will be taking advantage of this event as part of our ongoing commitment to understand what keeps printers, converters and brand owners awake at night, and advise them on best practices to address these pain points. We will share our expertise and suggest how to improve profitability by implementing smart prepress, automated workflow, best in cla...

Litográfica y Tipográfica América S.A. de C.V. (LYTASA) has recently upgraded its Colordyne Technologies 3600 Series Laser Pro digital printing press with the new Aspen Memjet engine upgrade. The upgrade allows all Colordyne Production Class platforms to print at speeds up to 275 feet (84 meters) per minute with a print resolution of 1600 x 1375 dpi. Javier Simon, president of LYTASA , said the printing press has worked well since being installed in January 2014, but the upgrade allows them to provide an even higher level of service to their customers. “We chose to install the upgrade because it significantly improved the production capacity of the machine – it’s more than the speed increase from 160 feet per minute to 275 feet per minute – we found the elimination of RIP times to be most beneficial to our business as we specialize in variable data,” Simon said. “The upgrade has also improved the overall operator experience and control of the equipment.” Installed in April 2015, ...

The global launch of the Nilpeter PANORAMA product-line, including the 5-colour DP-3 UV-Inkjet unit will be a major attraction at LabelExpo 2015 (Hall 7, Stand No. 7B35). The press combines Nilpeter's expertise in web handling technology with advanced inkjet printing and workflow.   This integrated approach to single-pass digital printing from a single supplier offers users many operational benefits, including high performance and very high effective up-time, through close integration of digital print and label converting. Designed for fast setups and quick job turnarounds, the PANORAMA product-line is highly productive in the fastest growing of all label sectors. It produces a variety of label jobs in short-to-medium run lengths with minimum wastage. Users are well placed to meet brand-owners’ demands for high quality labels in smaller quantities, in line with global trends towards product diversification. Nilpeter has adapted several of its inline finishing modules ...

At this year’s Labelexpo Marabu will be showcasing its advanced label and direct printing solutions for the cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical industry, including its well-established ink series for rotary and flatbed screen printing. Along with screen printed 3-D metallic effects or digitally printed metallic shades with the new Mara® Jet DI-SX Plug&Print inkjet ink for the EcoSolMax 2 generation of Roland printers.   High-quality no-label-look with rotary label printing or flexo printing machines         Product packaging needs high-class labeling for decoration, inscription, or designation. Ultra RotaScreen UVRS has been developed for all common rotary label printing machines, and is perfectly suited for combination printing with UV letterpress and UV offset. When combined with UV flexo printing, Ultra RotaScreen UVSF is the right choice. The ink is silicone-free which ensures the compatibility with the overprinted UV flexo...

The Sidel SB010 Universal 2eco, chosen for its flexibility and reliability, coupled with the technical support that Rio Bucovina knew Sidel was capable of providing. Rio Bucovina, the Romanian producer and distributor of natural mineral waters and soft drinks, recently reduced energy usage by up to 47% by installing a new Sidel SBO10 Universal 2eco blow moulder at its production facility in Vatra Dornei.  At the same time, it also collaborated with the Sidel Services™ packaging team on a stylish new bottle design for its still water. Through developing the new design, which included adopting the international 29/25 short-neck bottle standard across the range of sizes, the weight of the bottles was reduced by up to 45%. Rio Bucovina is now producing the lightest bottles in the Romanian market. Longstanding partnership with Sidel Rio Bucovina is a major player in the Romanian fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) market where it figures in the top three produce...

Michelman is pleased to announce it has been named a 2015 Top Workplace by the Cincinnati Enquirer. 100 companies and organizations in Cincinnati are recognized each year as “Top Workplaces” based solely on surveys about the workplace completed by their employees.  Michelman, headquartered in Cincinnati, is a global developer and manufacturer of environmentally friendly advanced materials for industry, offering solutions for the coatings, printing & packaging and industrial manufacturing markets. The fast growing company has production facilities in North America, Europe and Asia with laboratory facilities in Shanghai, Singapore, Luxembourg, Germany, India and the USA. The company recently opened its new Advanced Materials Collaboration Center at its Blue Ash campus that includes six new laboratories with state-of-the art equipment, bright and accessible open space and meeting rooms designed to allow application teams to collaborate on projects, and office space for sta...

The new trail currently being blazed by Pixartprinting in the world of online printing services is Upload & Print, a concept which brings the company and its clients closer together. " We want to extend the production capabilities of each of our clients, acting as a metaphorical large, hi-tech printer on their desk" Andrea Pizzola , Sales & Marketing Director at Pixartprinting explained. "The user only has to create and upload the print file, as if the device from which it is uploaded were connected directly to our production department. With just one click our clients have cutting-edge printing services, the best on the market, at their disposal ". It is well known that Pixartprinting has always focused a great deal of attention on technological innovation,particularly on the production side of the business, which uses latest generation machinery, often honed by manufacturers and provided to Pixartprinting before its full release or tailor-made for the n...

Asahi Photoproducts, a pioneer in flexographic photopolymer plate development, today announced the appointment of Mr. Paul Chant as UK Branch Manager. Chant joins the business at a time when Asahi Photoproducts is experiencing growth and expansion within the UK Flexographic market. He brings 28 years of experience from within the industry, having worked in the label, flexible packaging and reprographic sectors at senior manager and director levels. Chant previously worked for Asahi in a technical sales support role and now rejoins the company with responsibility for the entire UK business. Akiro Kato, MD Asahi Photoproducts Europe (right) welcomes Paul Chant (left) to the company. Chant comments, “I am delighted to be back with the company at such an exciting time. It is clear that recent appointments to the UK-based technical support team have really strengthened the business unit and have played a major role in recent growth and success. The A.Q.U.A. service is a clear diffe...