Labels Vol35 Issue3 2013
Labels Vol35 Issue3 2013
Labels Vol35 Issue3 2013
LABELING
SPONSOR OF
LABELEXPO
EUROPE 2013
LABEL REVOLUTION
Longest-ever digital print run achieved by breakthrough
alliance with HP Indigo and Europe-wide converter network
DIGITAL PRESS
BUYER’S GUIDE
Toner and inkjet technologies compared
in this exclusive L&L report
UV LED
BREAKTHROUGH
Mark Andy and Flint demonstrate commercial
UV LED on Performance press
ADHESIVES &
COATINGS
Innovative coating
technologies open up
new applications
for PS labels
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4| CONTENTS
L&L CONTENTS
LEADER
LESSONS IN SHARING
FROM COCA-COLA
The Coca-Cola customization story which leads
this issue of Labels & Labeling is a supreme
example of the possibilities of networked
collaboration on the widest scale.
The ability to bring together a network of eight
digital label converters and 10 conventional
label converters across Europe to participate
in a complex project under conditions of total
secrecy shows a very useful model for future
brand projects. The result was a highly impactful
promotional campaign where consumers could
choose bottles with their own or their friends
and families’ names in 30 countries across
72 CARIBBEAN PIONEER the continent.
A meeting with L&L’s Mike Fairley set Trinidad & Tobago Label House on a course Significant challenges had to be overcome.
to success as a pioneering regional converter Firstly, a workflow had to be developed whereby
Coca-Cola’s existing label converters – using wide
web CI flexo and gravure presses – could leave a
panel on the labels which would be overprinted
by HP WS6600 digital presses. Labels would
have to be slit down to the correct widths for the
narrow web press, then sent back to the wide web
converters for final inspection, slitting and delivery
to the Coca-Cola bottlers dotted around Europe.
This in itself introduced issues of timing, since the
digital print would take months longer to produce
than the conventional print. All these logistics were
managed by Peter Overbeek, managing director at
Eshuis, using a specially developed web tool which
tracked everything from the delivery of files for
platemaking and the digital press RIP, to the final
point of delivery, and all to a punishing schedule.
The second major networking challenge was to
co-ordinate the key Coca-Cola red color between
94 UV LED BREAKTHROUGH conventional and digital presses and to ensure the
Mark Andy and Flint demonstrate commercial UV LED on Performance press digital presses in eight countries remained properly
calibrated across three shifts. This was achieved by
making the HP-delivered special color the reference
point for the whole project and by developing
REGULARS on-line calibration and maintenance protocols for
the digital presses – a first for HP in the industrial
print market on this scale.
09 INBOX – Industry appointments All this was achieved due to the vision and hard
work of the Coca-Cola Company marketing team,
10 News – Global industry consolidation continues with under Marit Kroon, and technical team led by
Exopack announcement Gregory Bentley, whose stories you can read in
this edition.
22 Installations – The latest machinery installed at label
converters worldwide
EPSON and SurePress are registered trademarks and EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered
logomark of Seiko Epson Corporation. Copyright 2013 Epson America, Inc.
LABELS&LABELING |7
MANAGEMENT
LISA MILBURN LABELS GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR
TIM GORDON PUBLISHING DIRECTOR BARRY HUNT LISA MILBURN
Technical editor Managing director
PUBLISHERS Having worked for over 30 years lmilburn@labelsandlabeling.com
Tarsus Publishing Ltd, Metro Building, on printing trade journals in the t: +44 (0)208 846 2740
1 Butterwick, Hammersmith, London W6 8DL, UK UK, Barry Hunt has written for
T: +44 (0)208 846 2700 | F: +44 (0)20 8846 2801 magazines around the world. He
ISSN 1478-7520 has contributed to L&L since 1990.
US OFFICE
Tarsus Exhibitions and Publishing Ltd,
175 N. Patrick Blvd. Suite 180, Brookfield, TIM GORDON ROGER PELLOW
WI 53045, USA Publishing director Labels group chairman
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Labels & Labeling (USPS No: 002-914) is published ALL THIS AND MORE...
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© Tarsus Publishing Ltd
stories by subject or and news articles from have to say at www. most important
All material published by Labels & Labeling is copyright and remains the property technology area around the world labelsandlabeling.com/ publications
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the publishers. The publishers do not necessarily agree with the views expressed blog
by contributors, nor do accept any responsibility for any errors of interpretation in
Stand alone digital printing or include inline UV LED pinning for supporting optimal text Stork Prints in-house ink production
converting and line definition
www.spgprints.com/dsi
INBOX|9
INBOX
NEWS
THE INSIDER
A ROUND-UP OF THE LATEST
GLOBAL LABEL STORIES
LED ON PERFORMANCE PRESS Poncet chief editor of Etiq & Pack, and John
Penhallow of Label Press International – the
trophies were to reward the finest labels
Partnership with Flint brings system of LED lamps and inks to market printed digitally and using the full potential of
this printing process.
Mark Andy has demonstrated a fully at least 20,000 hours, which compares
Provetiq took top prize in the industrial labels
commercial UV LED curing system on to 500-2000 for Hg bulbs. UV LED category for the marine detergent Clin Azur,
a Performance press at a recent UK consumes around 50 percent less Cogetiq in the category Cosmetics-Beauty
Open House. Introducing the Mark power, operates at 60 degrees Celsius for a Deodorant Stick label, and Stork Prints
Andy ProLED curing system on the (as opposed to 350degC) , and with no in the category ‘wine’ for a Dutch wine label.
6-color Performance Series P3 press, shutters or mirrors, has low maintenance Stratus Packaging gained two awards: in the
Greg Palm, vice president new business requirements. There is no requirement food category for an olive oil label and in the
development, said that compared to a for blowers or for ducting, decreasing category Best Use of Variable Data for the
conventional UV Hg system, LED offers ambient noise levels. wine label ‘Clos de la Bonneterie’.
‘more press uptime with fewer equipment The first ProLED pilot system has been For each winning label, the jury praised
failures, a faster and deeper cure for running 24/7 at a converter since October the print quality, visual impact and relevance
higher productivity, and is more energy 2012 with no downtime for system between the label and its product.
efficient with longer life bulbs and lower or bulb failure, said Palm. Early jobs The next digital label Trophies will take place
maintenance requirements. And because produced include paper labels, shrink in March 2014 in Paris.
it’s a solid state system, it offers instant sleeves and unsupported film labels,
‘on-off’ switching.’ direct thermal printing and pouches – ALLIANCE SEEKS COST-
Lack of heat and ozone also improve with no additional heat management EFFECTIVE RFID ANTENNA
the safety and comfort of the working on the press. There was a five percent PRINT TECHNOLOGY
environment, added Palm. increase in production speed.
According to Palm, LED bulb life is For full story see p.94 Mühlbauer and NovaCentrix have collaborated
to develop new advanced RFID antenna
manufacturing technology. Under the
EXPO DIGITAL WORKSHOP agreement, Mühlbauer will develop,
produce and market scalable antenna
CONVERTERS can compare jobs on multiple inkjet and toner presses production systems ‘APS’ for RFID inlay/label
manufacturers incorporating NovaCentrix’
at Labelexpo Europe PulseForge photonic curing tools and
optimized for use with NovaCentrix’ Metalon
A series of Labelexpo Digital Technology Raflatac, Flexcon and Herma will provide ICI copper oxide reduction inks.
Workshops will take place each show common paper, film and foil substrates Thomas Betz, member of the management
day in Brussels this September. Six of for the range of printed labels being board for Mühlbauer, said: ‘Based on our
the leading inkjet press manufacturers produced. For comparison with toner careful evaluation of the PulseForge tools and
will all produce a selection of food, technologies, Xeikon will be producing Metalon ICI inks, we believe partnering with
pharmacy and industrial labels using the the same label designs. the NovaCentrix team is in the long-term best
same sets of origination, on the same ‘A first for any print-related show, interests of Mühlbauer and our customers
range of substrates, during daily set-up the Digital Technology Workshops for realizing the most efficient RFID antenna
and demonstration workshop sessions. are aiming to raise the understanding manufacturing – directly before attaching
Press manufacturers participating in of inkjet quality, performance, head the chip.’
these inkjet benchmarking workshop technology, dpi resolution, color gamut, The first version of the APS 20000 reel
sessions are Durst, Domino, EFI potential applications and investment to reel antenna manufacturing line will be
Jetrion, Epson, Heidelberg Linoprint opportunities amongst the show’s designed to provide a capacity of 100 million
and Stork Prints. Origination, color and global visitors,’ said Mike Fairley, antennas per year. Bigger versions will be
die-cutter files for the different jobs are strategic development director at available upon request.
being prepared by Esko, while UPM Tarsus Labels group.
THE INSIDER
A ROUND-UP OF THE LATEST
GLOBAL LABEL STORIES
• Digital cutting
• Knife slitting
THE INSIDER
A ROUND-UP OF THE LATEST
GLOBAL LABEL STORIES
LUESCHER FILES
FOR BANKRUPTCY
Imaging specialist Luescher AG
Maschinenbau, based in Gretzenbach,
Switzerland, has filed for bankrupcy.
In a statement the company said the
'massive downturn in the graphics industry
on top of the financial crisis, the continuing
disappearance of printing shops combined
with an expensive Swiss franc and, over
the last nine months, a significant fall in
incoming orders, make it impossible to
LABELEXPO EUROPE 2013 is set to be the largest in the show’s
33-year history as it returns to Belgium on September 24-27 continue trading.'
www.SlitAndRewind.com
M
+1 530.778.0301 in ade
t
US he
A
NEWS
CRITERIA for judging follows standard
THE INSIDER guidelines set by industry associations
AHLSTROM has completed a seven million For the ninth consecutive year, Flint Group Packaging and Narrow Web. ‘Year after
euro investment at its plant in Stenay, France will be organizing a print competition year, we are amazed by the excellence,
with winners to be announced on the quality, and depth of design. Narrow web
AHLSTROM COMPLETES Flint Group stand at Labelexpo Europe – printing is truly an art and we’re proud to
PLANT INVESTMENT Brussels, September 2013. play a part in these masterpiece designs.’
Ahlstrom has completed a seven million The criteria for judging follows Niklas Olsson, global brand manager,
euro investment at its plant in Stenay, standard guidelines set by the industry Flint Group Narrow Web, added: ‘Our
France, expanding its product portfolio of associations FINAT and TLMI and Narrow Web Print Awards prove that
one-side coated papers for metalized labels include registration, smoothness of narrow web printers continue to excel in
and flexible packaging. dot/vignette, overall print quality, and the noble art of label printing – finding a
The grades produced on Stenay's Paper degree of difficulty. The judges also way to produce high quality, innovative
Machine 3 now span from 50 to 160 g/ review each label for creative use of inks labels that keep our industry strong and
m². These coated papers can be used for and color, rewarding prints that exhibit growing. We are extremely proud, as an
metalized beer labels and flexible packaging ‘extraordinary use of ink’. ink supplier, to be a part of this effort. We
applications such as biscuits, sweets, Flint Group will highlight a special urge all printers to use this opportunity to
coffee bags, pharmacy, pet food bag outer category for web packaging applications, benchmark their own quality standards in
liners, tea envelopes, tobacco pouches, as which encourages printers to this format of “friendly” competition.’
well as bundle wraps for yoghurt pots. demonstrate the enriched palette of The deadline for entries, which must
‘By lowering the weight of a paper used applications possible using narrow/mid be printed with Flint Group inks, is
for metalized labels, flexible packaging and web presses. August 15, 2013. For more information
other graphics and industrial applications, ‘Flint Group has paid tribute to more contact Niklas Olsson in Europe at niklas.
Ahlstrom responds to the need for lighter than 45 companies around the world olsson@flintgrp.com, or Deanna Whelan
papers to reduce the weight of packaging with this award,’ said Deanna Whelan, in the United States at deanna.whelan@
and labels and consequently lower their marketing manager, Flint Group flintgrp.com.
environmental footprint,’ said Daniele
Borlatto, EVP, Label and Processing.
Stenay's main brands for flexible
packaging papers include Gerbier HDS,
Gerstar HDS, Gerstar 404, Gerstar 604,
HERMA SUPPORTS
Gersan, Gervalux as well as Metalkote for
metalized labels.
REGIONAL CUSTOMERS
The Stenay plant is part of Ahlstrom's Herma has expanded its regional sales local partners in some cases. He will
Label and Processing Business Area, which organization across Europe. Jens Glatz be based at the company headquarters
operates a total of six production sites in has been named account manager for in Filderstadt, Germany. In Girona near
France, Germany, Italy and Brazil. customers in Austria, Scandinavia and Barcelona, Alberto Pons has been
South America – with the support of appointed commercial agent for Spain.
LABELS&LABELING
Verso strength and stability.
Available in a label paper.
LEADS
CUSTOM LABEL
REVOLUTION
A BREAKTHROUGH PROJECT involving
eight HP Indigo label converters across
Europe and mixing both conventional
and digital print technologies has
allowed Coca-Cola to rewrite the
rules on promotional marketing.
Andy Thomas reports
LABELS&LABELING
LABELS&LABELING |17
CAN DO
Along with the customized bottle labels
will come customized Coca-Cola cans, for
which Ball Corporation bought its Dynamark
decorating system to Europe. Up to 24
different pieces of artwork can be delivered
on each pallet, though these will be ‘sharing’
phrases and not individual names.
Gregory Bentley says Coca-Cola will also
have the ability to add personalized thermal
transfer print onto cans at major events.
‘We are using a special thermal transfer
ribbon to get the opacity we require,’ says
Bentley. ‘I would like a cut down version of the
HP Indigo press which I could put in the back
of a lorry to produce personalized labels on
location!’
wraparound labels. ink as flexo or gravure, and for its color Correct color management also
‘This was not an issue in Australia consistency. The presses were also required the use of a single source film
because the labels are laminated, so thought capable of handling the delicate supplier, in this case ExxonMobil. Two
the surface characteristics stay the cavitated BOPP films without damage. types of 38 micron BOPP were used: an
same whatever print process is used,’ ‘We knew that big volumes were opaque white (also printed with metallic
says Gregory Bentley. ‘In Europe our involved – much bigger than the normal silver ink) and a metalized.
labels are varnished, not laminated. The run through a digital press – which meant ‘ExxonMobil films are not necessarily
difference in surface smoothness, COF we had to optimize the workflow onto the better than the other films on the
and ink film weight with inkjet printing HP presses,’ says Bentley. ‘This meant market, but they are excellent and
would prevent the applicators working to using the minimum number of clicks, we needed a standard reference for
full efficiency.’ so we decided to only print Coca-Cola color measurement and performance
After extensive research, Bentley chose Red digitally. A special mix was delivered consistency,’ says Bentley. ‘Up to and
the HP Indigo printing process, primarily by HP and we specified a double hit to following this project we use five or six
because it lays down the same weight of deliver the required color match. ‘ different film suppliers in Europe.’
INCREASE YOUR
PRODUCTIVITY
REDUCE YOUR
MACHINE DOWNTIMES
LABELS&LABELING
LABELS&LABELING |19
DIGITAL NETWORK
Given the complexity of these workflows, Peter
Overbeek, managing director at leading Dutch digital
label converter Eshuis, offered to handle the entire
digital printing side of the project. Eshuis already
handled personalized shrink sleeve label production on
behalf of Heineken, but this was to be on an altogether
different scale.
It was a radical departure for Coca-Cola to outsource
print management on this scale, but given the unique
situation, Overbeek’s offer was accepted. L-R Marit Kroon, Coca-Cola marketing manager;
Overbeek quickly realized that only the latest HP Peter Overbeek, MD Eshuis; Gregory Bentley,
Indigo WS6600 press had the required technical Coca-Cola packaging innovations group
SOCIAL NETWORKING
The Coca-Cola label personalization project
comes as the company launches a new
ad strategy which emphasizes digitized
content on mobile screens, as well as
some crowdsourcing, as a way of engaging
younger consumers in a myriad of ways in
the experience of what it's like to drink a Coke.
INSTALLATIONS
(L-R) Jürgen Heinen and Jochem Heinen, both (L-R) Khalid Shah of Raqam International, Shyam Babu
managing partners of Label24.de of Nilpeter ME and Matthew Burton of AB Graphic
LABEL24.DE, GERMANY Label24.de was also attracted by the also picking up matrix errors and major
ESKO CDI SPARK 2420 modular structure of the Esko software registration shifts.
Esko has installed the first CDI Spark suite. ‘We were able to invest in exactly ‘The Vectra 330 is equipped with core
2420 flexo plate imager in Europe the elements that we needed today,’ said loader, bowl feeder and core and tail
at Germany’s Label24.de, a division Heinen. ‘If we need more capability in the gluing and is suitable for running 76mm
of Druckerei Heinen GmbH in Bad future, upgrades are easy. For example, and 25mm mandrels.’
Münstereifel. we might consider adding HD Flexo or Kalid Shah of Raqam International
The unit was installed in mid-February optimizing our prepress workflow with added: ‘I am looking forward to the new
2013 by Esko, its distribution partner automation tools from the Esko suite installation. The new slitter rewinder
Dantex Deutschland GmbH and as we gain more experience with the with camera system will give me
Hartmann Polymer, replacing a system.’ greater quality control and the Vectra
film-based production system. turret rewinder will allow me to convert
Dantex worked with Hartmann Polymer RAQAM INTERNATIONAL, DUBAI non-stop at the end of press, effectively
on the installation at Label24.de, as well AB GRAPHIC OMEGA HSR SLITTER by-passing the finishing department on
as staff training. REWINDER some jobs.’
Label24.de is using 635 x 762mm Dubai-based Raqam International
Torelief DWF 80 NM polymer plates, also has purchased an Omega HSR slitter ABBEY LABELS, UK
supplied by Dantex Deutschland. The rewinder from AB Graphic, sold through XEIKON 3300
plates are cut to size prior to imaging the finishing and converting specialist’s The UK’s Abbey Labels has made its
based on the required format. Middle East distributor, Nilpeter ME. first move into digital production with the
Jochem Heinen, managing partner of The HSR is a high-speed slitter installation of a Xeikon 3300 press.
Label24.de, said: ‘We tested both the CDI inspection rewinder that benefits from The company has previously operated
Spark and an inkjet film imager. In our larger unwind/rewind diameters and runs UV flexo presses, and has spent a
opinion, Esko is the only manufacturer at speeds up to 300mt/min. The sale lengthy time researching its move into
that could meet our challenging of the 430mm-wide model to Raqam digital. Having narrowed down the
requirements for digital imaging. International also includes a 330mm-wide equipment choice, visits were made
‘This is an investment in the future. Vectra ECTR turret rewinder. to both Labelexpo and Drupa 2012 to
We needed to make a change since it is Shyam Babu, managing director of finalize the decision.
certainly not clear how much longer film Nilpeter ME, said: ‘We are delighted Tom Allum, chairman of Abbey Labels,
imaging will be a viable technology in the with this first sale in the Middle East. AB said: ‘We had been examining the
manufacture of labels and tags.’ Graphic International offers a wide range potential for digital and the equipment
Heinen added: ‘With the CDI, we have of finishing equipment that is a perfect available for some two or three years.
been able to boost our label quality combination with ours. We wish Raqam Question marks about speed of digital
significantly. Our imaging operation International every success.’ devices, print quality, and the space
is also now much safer, and we can AB Graphic’s Matthew Burton said: required to set up a digital operation
deliver a standardized image quality that ‘We are delighted with this kick-start sale were constantly on our minds.
delights our customers. under our new cooperation with Nilpeter ‘The latest range of equipment from
‘Possible errors can been seen during ME. The HSR on order will be equipped Xeikon did seem to solve our speed
preview before incurring the expense of with our Fleyevision 100 percent print queries, and the dramatic improvements
plate imaging. And we no longer have face inspection system. This comprises in print quality in recent years ticked all of
issues with deterioration of screens with an intelligent camera that replaces the boxes in that area of concern.’
gradation.’ traditional missing label detection while The addition of a digital press has
LABELS&LABELING
LABELS&LABELING |23
enabled the company to create new TIPOLITOGRAGFIA ZARDINI, ITALY CENTRAL DE EMPAQUES SA, MEXICO
business opportunities and carry out new GALLUS ECS 340 OMET VARYFLEX 2
work. ‘I would say that 90 percent of the Macchingraf, the Gallus sales and service Central de Empaques SA (Cemsa), part
work is new work – some from existing partner in Italy, has sold a Gallus ECS of Grupo Industrial EEC and founded in
customers, but most of it from new 340 to Tipolitogragfia Zardini following Guatemala City in 1981, has installed an
customers,’ said Allum. its purchase of a TCS 250 in November Omet VaryFlex 2 line at Cemspack, its
‘The new work is being mainly last year. new paper cup production facility near
generated from our new updated The Verona-based company prints and Mexico City.
website. The ability to produce short runs converts labels and carton packaging, The 670mm-wide Omet press, which
or multiple sorts of color labels without as well as business cards, folders, has five UV-flexo printing units, a single
the associated cost of plates has allowed brochures and other printed products. rotary die-cutting station and a delivery
the company to compete for many orders Macchingraf said the latest order signals conveyor, has been specified with a
that were just out of reach with flexo its trust in both Gallus and its Italian Martin Automatic MBX butt splicer to
pricing.’ partner, which was signed up at Drupa allow continuous running.
Local food producers are one such 2012. According to Carlos Alfredo Rivera, who
market that Abbey Labels said has The sale was confirmed at a recent provides technical assistance for both the
benefitted from digital printing. Abbey three-day event staged by Macchingraf to Guatemala and Mexico plants: ‘The Omet
Labels is British Retail Consortium-regis- promote Gallus technology to the Italian was chosen after a series of production
tered for food production work, and Allum label printing market. tests in which it produced the best
said: ‘This has been a tremendous help Over the three days, around 150 combination of quality and speed for the
to us in generating business from the representatives of 80 companies in Italy type of work we produce at Cemspack.’
food sector. Local food producers have attended the event, which included live The decision to fit Martin Automatic
been especially keen to use our services: demonstrations of a Gallus ECS 340 ancillary equipment was made following
they don’t need millions of labels in most flexo printing machine with seven printing good experience with similar technology
cases – more often they might need a units, foiling and die-cutting, and a from the American manufacturer on an
few hundred labels of several different Heidelberg Linoprint L digital press. earlier Omet press.
sorts. This makes them ideal customers In addition Gallus Screeny plates, Cerm Rivera continued: ‘The Omet/Martin
for digital label printing.’ software and supporting products of all combination fulfills our requirements
The Xeikon 3300 is supported by an other business partners of Macchingraf for reduced waste levels and minimized
AB Graphic Digicon 2 converting line. ‘It were on display. maintenance costs. Running cartons at
is a great addition to the Xeikon. The new Customers had the chance to meet high speed requires a well-built machine
finishing line has allowed us to provide and network with all the partners who because the working environment is very
a wide range of embellishment options exhibited during the event. tough. We customarily operate the line
such as lamination, foiling, varnishes, Macchingraf chief executive officer at 200m/min, without any loss of quality,
and spot colors to the labels. Due to Alberto Mazzoleni said: ‘We are really and our carton waste has fallen by five
the special die-cutting system on the satisfied with the event's results, and percent since installation.’
Digicon we can use our existing stock of the number of attendees confirmed the The specification includes a corona
over 5,000 cutters which we have stored interest in this business. Macchingraf's treater, contactless web cleaner, a
for our flexo work. This has made us commitment to new technologies is a decurler, a de-nesting delivery, and a
very flexible for both new and existing step forward to complete our offer to the waste extraction system.
customers.’ Italian market.’ The Martin Automatic MBX butt splicer
was supplied as an OEM fitment. As
specified, it has a maximum splicing
JULY 2013 | L&L
24 | L&L
INSTALLATIONS
the shelf next to each other and it’s important that the customer
notices no difference between them. With our HP Indigo
presses, we are able to achieve this.’
Sohm notes the difficulty in defining an ‘average’ digital run
length. ‘We are seeing increasing variations in what would have
been long runs in the past. It is possible to have a job of 50,000
meters that comprises 200 variations to accommodate different
scents, flavors, languages and so on.’ Jobs that the company
used to print as a long run once a year are now shorter runs
produced several times a year. Handling more jobs – but not
necessarily more labels – can create challenges for a company.
‘The expense for data-handling, clearance, customer care and
such is the same whether the job is worth 300 euros or 5000
euros,’ said Sohm. ‘The administrative costs and the speed are
crucial because the customer wants the delivery very fast.’
Carini has a highly automated workflow. The HP SmartStream
Labels and Packaging Print Server Powered by Esko plays an
important role linking prepress with the presses and integrating
with the overall management information system.
(L-R) Edgar Sohm; Alon Bar-Shany, VP and general
manager, HP Indigo Division; Thomas Sohm AVVO LABELS, SOUTH AFRICA
ROTOCONTROL RSC SLITTER REWINDER
speed of 213m/min, so is comfortable with Cemspack’s South Africa’s Avvo Labels has placed an order for a Rotocontrol
working speed of 200m/min (although top speed of the MBX RSC slitter rewinder.
is 243m/min). The maximum web width of this particular The order was led by Rotocon, the local agent for Rotocontrol
MBX model is 670mm (minimum 335mm), and it can handle and marks the 25th Rotocontrol finishing machine sold in South
1,828mm diameter rolls that weigh up to 1,135kg. The system Africa. Vishnu Lalbeharie, owner of Avvo Labels, said that both
uses an inertia-compensated festoon, a patented splice the technology and local after-sales service were the compelling
unit that gives a diagonal butt splice, and a two-position features that led to the order.
cantilevered unwind that uses Martin’s own lift and load system. In operation since 1985 out of Durban, Avvo Labels specializes
Controls, which are integrated, include those for automatic roll in up to eight color self-adhesive labels, barcode labeling,
unwinding, splicing, and – importantly – web tension control. multi-colored garment labels, computer labels, blank labels,
Speaking for Martin Automatic, Ed Pittman said: ‘We are wrap-around and shrink sleeve labels, and are suppliers of
delighted to have supplied another splicer to Cemsa, and know thermal transfer printers and ribbons.
that it is already making a contribution to waste reduction and The RSC features a cartridge slitting system, vertical inspection
improved productivity. There are quite a number of Martin/Omet zone, automatic tension control and job save.
combinations running carton board and they are all valued as
a cost-effective alternative to traditional sheet-fed offset with PRESSON LABELS, NEW ZEALAND
offline converting. The installation at the company’s new plant NUOVA GIDUE COMBAT M1
in Mexico City is another good showcase for inline flexo carton New Zealand self-adhesive label specialist Presson Labels has
production.’ installed a Gidue Combat M1 press. The 8-color UV, 370mm-wide
press features chill drums, a servo-motor in-feed, pre-register and
ETIKETTEN CARINI, ITALY the SnowBall waste matrix rewinder.
HP INDIGO WS6600 It is able to run a range of different substrates including
Leading Austrian converter Etiketten Carini has installed an self-adhesive labels, sleeves and wrap-around labels.
HP Indigo WS6600 digital press, its third WS6000-series press Kevin Aisher, Presson Labels director, said: ‘Our market is
supplied by HP preferred partner Chromos AG, of Dielsdorf, extremely demanding, therefore we needed a quick change press
Switzerland. to be flexible on delivery time as well as quality.’
‘Even though we doubled our digital capacity with the
WS6000 digital presses, we needed more,’ said Edgar Sohm, K-1 PACKAGING GROUP
managing director, Etiketten Carini. ‘We’ve seen digital print EFI RADIUS MIS
runs getting longer, and there are more jobs, too; the WS6600 K-1 Packaging Group is to replace two MIS/ERP systems with
press will enable us to meet these new demands.’ EFI Radius software for its packaging and label operations in
Carini’s digital presses account for 24 percent of jobs, with City of Industry, California.
the remainder generated by the company’s eight conventional Many K-1 customers purchase some combination of folding
presses. Two near-line finishing machines from HP finishing cartons, labels and flexible packaging and the mix of products
partner AB Graphic International handle the output from the creates a number of repetitive, manual processes that come with
three HP Indigo presses. running multiple, disparate systems. K-1 Packaging president
‘We print to a high-quality on a wide variety of substrates,’ Mike said: ‘EFI Radius is designed specifically for packaging
Edgar Sohm continued. ‘Coated and uncoated papers, films, workflows and will make our entire management process
transparent stock, mono-films and more recently metallic cleaner and more streamlined. It's going to allow us to capitalize
and silver films are among the stocks we regularly print. In a on the huge opportunity we have to become a tighter, more
supermarket, all the jobs – conventional and digital – are on knowledgeable organization.'
LABELS&LABELING
Some decisions
LABELS&LABELING |25
JULY 2013
© 2012 Hewlett-Packard Development |L&L
Company, L.P.
LABELS&LABELING |27
ENVIROMENT NEWS
There are encouraging signs that the label industry is taking the from virgin fiber would have increased carbon dioxide emissions
question of liner recycling more seriously, with UPM Raflatac by 428 tonnes.
recently signing a cooperation agreement with the French Dr Thomas Baumgärtner, managing director of Herma, and
subsidiary of Aliplast for release liner recovery. head of its self-adhesive materials division, said: ‘Last year,
Aliplast is an Italian company specializing in the collection Herma's entire fleet generated about 410 tonnes of carbon
and treatment of recovered plastic films. This partnership dioxide, based on the vehicles' imputed mileage and realistic
expands Aliplast’s recycling services to polypropylene (PP) and average consumption figures.
paper-based release liners through UPM Raflatac’s RafCycle ‘We can therefore claim a carbon-neutral footprint for the 74
waste management concept. Herma cars. Given that we produce only a fairly small quantity
Aliplast now collects, sorts and distributes all types of release of waste liner – because it is a constituent of our self-adhesive
liner to different recycling processes, avoiding landfill or materials – achieving carbon neutrality is an impressive
incineration. achievement.
Large collection bags are installed by Aliplast for use by ‘It illustrates that even relatively small-scale recycling can make
self-adhesive label end users like drinks bottlers and companies a big impact.’
from the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Aliplast In 2010, Herma became the first self-adhesive material
collects the bags regularly and directs them to its two sorting specialist in the industry to participate in the C4G initiative,
centers near Strasbourg and Lyon. After sorting, the waste is which was established specifically for this type of recycling. The
transported to its final place of re-use. quantity of release liner collected by C4G throughout Europe in
PP, including UPM Raflatac’s ProLiner PP30, is re-used as 2012 reduced carbon dioxide emissions by round 7,000 tonnes.
a raw material in the manufacture of wood-plastic composite Across the EU, the annual consumption of silicone-coated
products at the UPM ProFi factory in Bruchsal, Germany. Other release liner stands at about 360,000 tonnes. The largest portion
wrapping films are recycled into various packaging products by is attributable to companies that apply labels.
Aliplast Italy. ‘The potential carbon dioxide savings are therefore enormous,’
Aliplast also collects paper-based release liners for fiber re-use. adds Baumgärtner.
The recovered paper liners are re-pulped and de-siliconized, and ‘That's why we take every opportunity to encourage our
the pulp is used for papermaking at UPM’s paper mills. self-adhesive material customers, namely the label printers, to
The RafCycle concept therefore makes use of labelstock point their own customers towards the C4G recycling initiative.
by-products from all stages of the labelstock lifecycle: process It makes good sense for both the climate and the participating
waste from coating and slitting operations, matrix and start-up companies, which would otherwise have to bear the cost of
waste from printing and die-cutting, and liner waste from label disposing of the release liner.’
dispensing at the end of the cycle. As L&L went to press, Avery Dennison launched a matrix
Also in Europe, self-adhesive label specialist Herma has recycling tool on its website to help its converter customers divert
recycled some 185 tonnes of surplus release liner from its and process scrap. The tool is located at: label.averydennison.
material production process through a Europe-wide recycling com/en/home/solutions/sustainability.html.
initiative, helping it offset the carbon emissions from its 74-strong ‘Many of our customers are actively improving their
fleet of cars in 2012. sustainability footprint,’ said Rosalyn Bandy, sustainability
Silicone-coated release liner is encountered wherever labels manager, Avery Dennison Materials Group. ‘We have created this
are applied, and in large quantities in the consumer goods, food matrix recycling tool as a response to those looking to reduce
and logistics industries. It is conventionally discarded as general their impact by sending less waste to landfills.’
refuse. The interactive map features a directory that indicates locations
Thanks to the cooperation of European release liner of non-landfill operations or energy-from-waste facilities. Most
recycling organization Cycle4Green (C4G) and Austrian paper of these operations process discarded pressure-sensitive scrap
manufacturer Lenzing Papier, waste raw materials are recovered materials generated by label presses into clean, renewable
and used to produce new label paper and release liner, both of energy sources. One such method is fuel pellets, which can be
which are used by Herma. a direct substitute for coal but with a lower carbon and overall
A certificate from C4G shows that Herma committed around emissions footprint.
185 tonnes of surplus liner from its self-adhesive material The interactive tool is based on Avery Dennison's own
production to the silicon-coated release liner recycling initiative information and was developed in collaboration with key
in 2012. converters, recyclers and key channel partners. Recycling may
Compared with recycling, manufacturing the same quantity not be available in all areas.
JULY 2013 | L&L
28 | L&L
“I checked out all of the options. Primera just made the most
sense. It’s a professional solution that gives me the capability to
digitally produce labels in any size and shape. Now that I’ve
got a system installed, I can see that my payback is going to be
faster than I’d even hoped. If you’re a label shop that wants to
get started in digital, Primera is definitely the way to go.”
Small, big,
or Bigger
HOW SIZE AFFECTS YOUR SUCCESS in the label business. By Bob Cronin, The Open Approach
LABELS&LABELING
I bought a Rotatek machine four years ago.
I have been amazed by its high quality offset, its
advanced mechanical construction and its ink
stability - from the beginning of
the print job right through to the end.
There's no doubt that Rotatek aims to be the best
in the market by constantly innovating
and by putting the printer in pole position.
M. JEAN-JACQUES FOUCHÉ
Deputy Director of Imprimerie GIP
Libourne Cedex - France
WWW.ROTATEK.COM
32 | L&L
LABELS&LABELING
34 | L&L
Smart Technology
CAROL HOUGHTON rounds up the latest news in smart and intelligent labeling
SMART FIGHT AGAINST COUNTERFEITS challenges of using paper as a substrate – turning it into a smooth
Increased smartphone usage has led AlpVision to enable flexible surface while still being 100 percent paper and recyclable.
consumer-level product verification This now makes paper a viable substrate for many printed
electronics devices where it may not have been suitable before.’
AlpVision has updated its product authentication app for the Powercoat is a cellulosic paper formulation and coating process
iPhone, which allows users to detect the company’s Cryptoglyph which enables passive and interactive circuitry to be integrated
‘invisible’ mark printed on a label or pack using regular visible ink with existing printed products. This facilitates electronic functions
or varnish and standard printing processes. Enhanced algorithms – from embedded RFID tags to condition-sensitive sell-by dates on
now allow for better detection of labels on curved surfaces, such fresh produce – to be incorporated in graphics.
as vial labels and labels on wine and spirit bottles. It is said to offer excellent printability and ink adhesion properties
The invisible Cryptoglyph image contains encrypted information whilst the surface reduces the consumption of expensive silver
which originally required an off-the-shelf scanner, along with an inks and supports high-resolution fine patterning (down to five μm)
authentication application installed on a computer, to decrypt it. of any solution-based electronic layer.
Since 2012, consumers have been able to scan the safety feature Powercoat is also said to eliminate other issues encountered
using an iPhone and receive positive authentication within three when printing with conductive inks on conventional papers, such
seconds. as yellowing/color fading and alterations to the physical charac-
The iPhone app was originally introduced for AlpVision’s teristics of a substrate during sintering – the process which fuses
Fingerprint technology, which tracks and authenticates mass conductive inks to the substrate.
moulded products. It is currently available for the iPhone 4/4S/5 Due to its thermal stability, it can withstand the sintering cycle
and other mobile operating platforms on request. at 200 deg. C for five minutes, as well as photonic sintering. This
AlpVision recently demonstrated the app at IP Protect Expo allows for higher printing speeds, therefore decreasing production
2013 in London. Dr Fred Jordan, AlpVision co-founder and CEO, costs whilst improving productivity and efficiency.
commented: ‘Conference participants were surprised that a tool It is suitable for roll-to-roll processing and has already been
so deceptively simple could be used to perform product authenti- used in disposable labeling and packaging, amongst many other
cations and perform well. applications. According to Arjowiggins, the applications are limited
‘Brand owners are searching for ways to multiply the number ‘only by the imagination and existing interactive technologies.’
of authentications throughout the supply chain. Smartphones are The company added: ‘PowerCoat proves paper is just as reliable
therefore becoming the tool of choice for product authentication [as plastic] for printed electronic applications. It outperforms even
and counterfeit protection.’ the best plastics and is recyclable and sustainable. This novel
paper has excellent smoothness [as low as 10 nanometers], and
higher thermal stability than most PET/PEN plastics’.
PAPER, THE NEW PLASTIC
Arjowiggins recognized for its PowerCoat formulation
for printed electronics METAIO OPENS NEW R&D OFFICE
Hardware supplier invests in future of Augmented Reality
Arjowiggins Creative Papers has received an IDTechEx award for
its PowerCoat technology, which allows paper substrates to be Metaio is to open a new office in Dallas, Texas, as part of a
used for printed electronics applications. company-wide initiative to invest resources into research and
The judges commented: ‘Powercoat from Arjowiggins Creative development of Augmented Reality (AR) core technologies.
Papers was selected by the judges because it addresses the
LABELS&LABELING
36 | L&L
NEW PRODUCTS
1 2
1 2
LP130E LASER MARKING SYSTEM QCANYWHERE
PRIMERA TECHNOLOGY GLOBAL VISION
Primera Technology has launched its new LP130e laser Global Vision has launched the QCanywhere suite of cloud-based
marking system, an optimized version of the company’s quality control apps, aimed at addressing the need for
previous DL500e durable label printer, but now offering 25 company-wide access to quality control systems to help protect
percent faster print speeds. brand integrity.
It is designed to enable fast in-house production of labels QCanywhere can be accessed from any device and allows brand
and tags for use in a wide range of severe and harsh-duty owners and stakeholders across multiple industries to inspect
applications, including the US Department of Defense’s IUID documents regardless of geographic location. Reports can be
program labels, UDI labels for medical devices and healthcare generated and shared by e-mail to collaborate on quality and
equipment, automobile VIN and under-hood part number dramatically reduce approval cycles and time-to-market. Global
plates, warning and instruction labels, aerospace and solar Vision says the cost of each inspection is just one USD.
panel labels, serial tags for outdoor equipment, automobile ‘The introduction of QCanywhere has revolutionized the way
parts, building materials and others. companies can inspect documents, artwork and print,’ said
Text, graphics and linear or 2D barcodes can be marked onto Reuben Malz, president of Global Vision. ‘QCanywhere enables
special laser-ablateable substrates that can be up to 130mm deeper collaboration between different internal teams as well as
(5.1in) wide. third party suppliers. By sharing QCanywhere reports through
It uses a high-powered laser for marking instead of inkjet or e-mail, you can bring key decision makers into the process, which
thermal transfer inks, which generally have less durability than translates into a more secure and faster way to bring your product
laser-marked materials, Primera said. The base for the marking to market. Since it is cloud-based, it is truly mobile, allowing users
system is a specially-designed laser diode along with high- to review reports anywhere using a laptop, tablet or smart phone.’
precision, matched optics. Applications (QCapps) in the suite include QCtext to compare
Labels and tags produced with this technology are typically documents; QCartwork to compare artwork files; QCspell to spell
used to replace metal plates or labels produced by resin check PDFs; QCbraille to translate Braille; QCprint to inspect
thermal transfer that are laminated in a secondary process but printed materials; and QCbarcode to both inspect and grade
are still not durable enough for many applications. barcodes.
As such, finished labels and tags are extremely robust and do Global Vision is offering Labels & Labeling readers a free
not require lamination to withstand extended exposure to UV seven-day trial by visiting QCanywhere.com and using the promo
light, chemicals, liquids and temperatures of up to 300 deg C. code QC7day.
Bar Graphic Machinery is launching two new slitter rewinders in Features on the BGM Elite Digiflex include fast changeover for
order to provide improved productivity in digital converting and maximum productivity and flexibility, automatic print positioning
flexible packaging finishing. (APP) system for highly accurate plate registration and automatic
The 160m/min BGM Elite Digiflex full servo flexo die-cut to die registration (ADR) to reduce set-up waste for a more
re-register slitter rewinder has been developed to convert and cost-efficient re-register print and die-cutting production process.
finish pre-printed digital, inkjet, or flexo media. This highly A digital servo drive also provides constant communication
flexible system can print, apply additional coating, semi rotary between all the servo axes for high performance and functionality
or full rotary die cut, slit and rewind all in register in one or including advanced diagnostic features.
multiple passes.
LABELS&LABELING
38 | L&L
NEW PRODUCTS
LABELS&LABELING
40 | L&L
Digital press
buyer’s guide
THERE HAS NEVER BEEN SUCH A WIDE CHOICE of color
digital press technologies available to label converters.
Andy Thomas presents a buyer’s guide
LABELS&LABELING
Watch the N600i
at Reynders Etiketten
l
13” wide
l
50-75m/min (146-246ft/min)
l
Native resolution 600x600 dpi
l
In-line finishing option
l
Esko workflow
www.N600i.com
E: N600i@domino-printing.com
LABELS&LABELING |43
BEIJING FOUNDER
The EagleJet 5-color UV inkjet digital label press is available in
two models, the 1400 and 2800, both of which come bundled
with variable data layout software. Imaging resolution is 360dpi
on a print width up to 420mm up to a speed of 25m/min. The
press is 4-color plus white. DURST
The Durst Tau 330 is a digital UV inkjet label press designed for
COLORDYNE short and medium runs covering web widths from 16.5 cm (six
The Colordyne CDT-1600 C – available in roll or fan fold – is a and a half in) to a maximum 33 cm (13 in), with printing speeds
high speed label and tag printer with throughput speeds up to of 48 m (157 ft.) per minute. Tau 330 is available for print widths
12 inches/second. Colordyne printers are powered by Memjet up to 200 mm and 330 mm. Its standard color configuration
technologies. Capable of printing two inches to eight and a half CMYK can be completed with full opaque white and optional
inches wide, the CDT- 1600 C meets industrial label demands orange and violet color, thus offering up to 90 percent coverage
and is designed for in-house label production and private of the Pantone color gamut.
labeling.
EFI
DOMINO The EFI Jetrion inkjet press range now consist of three
The Domino N600i UV inkjet press prints up to 75m/min (246ft/ basic models. The 4900M and 4900M-330 are both modular
min) at 600dpi print resolution onto a range of standard paper stand-alone UV inkjet presses, differing only in web width – 8.3in
and plastic label stocks. The grayscale printhead uses a six pl and 13in respectively. Both run at up to 70 ft/min driven by a
drop size to achieve fine detail. Fiery XF front end. The 4900ML additionally includes in-line laser
The N600i uses piezo drop on demand ink jet technology die cutting and matrix stripping – an upgrade option on the ‘M’
with durable UV curable inks. Automated functions include the modular presses.
Domino CleanCap automated print head cleaning and capping
station; the Domino Actiflow, continuous ink circulation system; EPSON
and Domino Stitchlink, automated print head alignment system. The 6-color Epson SurePress L-4033 inkjet digital label press
uses Epson’s proprietary micro-piezo inkjet head technology.
To deliver a wide color gamut for accurate reproduction of
spot colors, Epson’s SurePress AQ ink-set includes green
and orange. SurePress AQ Ink offers excellent adhesion to
standard label substrates without the need for pre-treatments or
coatings. The ink is water based. The press prints at five m/min
at resolutions up to 720 x 1440dpi on a maximum web width of
330mm.
MATAN
The SprinG3 is an industrial digital
thermal transfer printer, delivering short
runs of durable full color graphics at
a high speed. Ideal for labels, decals,
membranes, license plates, traffic and
other signs. Up to five years outdoor
durability and printing up to 6-colors in
single pass.
ISYS
Two toner-based models are available
from Isys. The Edge 850 is designed as
a low-cost solution for in-house printing
on demand, for example water bottle
labels or stickers for a special event.
Users can print a custom design on
die-cut substrates and labels are durable,
lightfast, water resistant and scratch proof.
The Apex 1290 is a digital production
press for short-mid run label production. STORK Prints' DSI stand-alone
Quick changeover technology is coupled digital printing unit
VIPCOLOR
The VIPCoor P485 is designed to generate in-house
custom labels for SKUs, bar coding, localization and
targeted marketing promotions. Targeted at small to
medium enterprises.
WEIFANG DONGHANG
The Donghang UV 4-color digital label press uses
piezoelectric drop on demand inkjet technology.
Its core RIP software, developed by the company,
supports a wide range of file formats. Also features a
self-developed cyclic ink supply system made up of
ink-pump and print control systems.
XANTE
The Xante Excelagraphix L850 Digital Narrow Web
Press is a complete digital inkjet print system using
Memjet printhead technology.
It also features an easy-to-use interface with seven in
SCREEN’S TruePress Jet L350UV color LCD touchscreen display, an aerosol extraction
system and automatic feed/cut.
RAPID The System is driven by the iQueue Multi-User
The RapidX2 is a free standing commercial printer which takes pre-die Workflow that makes it easy to manage complex
cut or raw roll stock, prints at up to 1600 dpi and feeds to rewind or digital files, match critical spot colors, select
in-line finishing equipment. It can be mated with Rapid’s modular D2 linescreens, dot shapes, and screening angles for
semi rotary die cutter, ROP hot foil over-printer and RS slitter-rewind. CMYK and spot color elements.
D2 comes standard with re-register, semi-rotary actuation, lamination, Users can also apply imposition, track ink usage,
coreless matrix waste removal and production speeds to mate with most estimate job cost and run variable data/bar codes at
digital printing technologies. Rapid’s F2 semi-rotary spot flexo printer/ full speed.
varnisher further enhances the line.
XEIKON
SCREEN Xeikon 3000 Series architecture is based upon a full
The Truepress Jet L350UV is a single-pass UV inkjet printing system rotary press with a variable repeat length. That delivers
which can accommodate a printing width of up to 322 mm and media productivity which does not depend on the number of
widths from 100 mm to 350 mm at a printing speed up to 50m per colors nor the dimensions of the labels. The QA-I dry
minute featuring grayscale printheads with a minimum droplet size of toner, specifically developed for labels and packaging,
three picoliters and resolution of 600 dpi. It also incorporates Screen’s allows the use of standard substrates, provides high
color management and screening technology. This functionality enables light fastness and is compliant with FDA standards for
extremely smooth gradations. indirect and direct dry food applications.
The system is designed to use Screen’ s proprietary Truepress ink, The press comes in a number of models: Xeikon
providing coverage of a wider gamut than previous process color inks. 3030 is an entry level digital printing press; Xeikon
Cleaning of the head area can be executed automatically after 3030Plus offers higher productivity; Xeikon 3300 is the
processing is finished. This enables an immediate start to printing work flagship press and claimed the fastest digital press
the next time the system is started up. printing CMYK and one-pass opaque white.
The Xeikon 3050 is an entry level press for printers
SHANGHAI TAIYO MACHINE COMPANY that require a wider web width, while the Xeikon 3500
The Taiyo IJP inkjet press uses the Kodak Stream imaging unit and combines width and speed to make this press the
prints in CMYK with waterbase inks. Imaging resolution is 600 x 600dpi most productive and widest of Xeikon’s digital labels
at speeds up to 152m/min. The press uses Kodak’s CS410 Stream press series.
operating system and workflow.
STORK PRINTS
The Stork Prints DSI is modular in design offering
configurations from stand-alone digital printing
to complete lines with in-line semi-rotary
converting. There is also modularity in print
positions, allowing up to 10, and in printing
width, ranging from 135mm to 530mm.
Stork Prints develops its own brand inks
in-house, delivering high resistance to
light and impressive scratch-proofing.
SWIFTCOLOR
The Swiftcolor SCL4000D desktop printer
is designed for high speed and print quality
on applications such as short run shipping
case marks, address stickers, baggage tags,
barcode, cosmetic, health care product,
THE TAIYO IJP inkjet press
prescription medicine package, gourmet
foods and bottle labels.
LABELS&LABELING
48 | L&L
FINISHING FINISHING
In-line or off-line finishing: Off line - iTech AXXIS Digital Label In-line or off-line finishing: Both options available
Finisher. If in-line, what finishing is available?: Die-cutting
Press options: Corona Web Inspectrion
FINISHING FINISHING
In-line or off-line finishing: Off line - iTech Centra HS Digital In-line or off-line finishing: Off-line
Label Finisher
LABELS&LABELING
There are label printers
that are just as good as these.
They just happen to cost
ten times more.
pro511DW
Digital Web Press
pro511DW
Digital Web Press
DIMENSIONS DIMENSIONS
Roll/web width: 200 - 340mm Roll/web width: 13 in (330mm)
Print width: 333mm Print width: 8.3 in (210mm)
Press running speed: Up to 75m/min (246ft/min) Press running speed: 80 fpm (25m/min) (120 fpm in draft mode)
SUBSTRATES SUBSTRATES
Substrate thickness, minimum: 100 micron Substrate thickness, minimum: 0.003 in (76 microns)
Substrate thickness, maximum: 200 micron Substrate thickness, maximum: 0.012 in (304 microns)
Types of printable substrates: Standard paper, PE and PP Types of substrates that can be printed: Paper, films, foil,
Any substrates that are unsuitable: None known specialty media. All standard label stocks.
Any substrates that are unsuitable: None
FINISHING
In-line or off-line finishing: Yes, both FINISHING
Finisher: Grafisk Maskinfabrik and AB Graphic International In-line or off-line finishing: In-line
Press options: Corona, AVT vision web inspection, full color If in-line, what finishing is available?: Die-cutting, slitting,
variable data printing backscoring and more
Press options: EFI Digital StoreFront web-to-print, EFI Radius
ERP systems
LABELS&LABELING
Stand number
6F90
INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY
IWATSU EM-250W
SANKI SOF-330
Partnerships Available
T: 31 ( 0 ) 20-6733566
E: inquiry@lintec-europe.com
www.lintec-europe.com
LABELS&LABELING |53
DIMENSIONS DIMENSIONS
Roll/web width: 80 - 330mm Roll/web width: 200 to 330 mm
Print width: Up to 315mm Print width: 308 mm
Press running speed: Up to 5 m/min Press running speed: Up to 15 m/min in full color, up to 21
m/min in Enhance Productivity Mode full color
SUBSTRATES
Substrate thickness, minimum: 100 micron SUBSTRATES
Substrate thickness, maximum: 320 micron Substrate thickness, minimum: 12 microns
Types of substrates that can be printed: All standard label Substrate thickness, maximum: 350 microns
stocks Types of substrates that can be printed: Any type of substrate
Any substrates that are unsuitable:
FINISHING
FINISHING In-line or off-line finishing: Both available.
In-line or off-line finishing: Off-line finishing If in-line, what finishing is available?: Partnership with
ABGraphics, offering all label finishing types
INK
tions.”
our expecta
,
— Tom Allumn,
Chairma
Ltd.
AbbeyLabels
code
Use this QR e.
to read mor
You want to feel confident about choosing your digital label press.
Selecting the right digital press is a difficult Xeikon simply ticks all the boxes:
process – which one will be right for your ✔ High profitability
business both now and in the future? ✔ Superb print quality
You need to be able to rely on the ✔ Unique flexibility
experience, know-how and excellence ✔ Unrivalled sustainable technology
of Xeikon equipment.
Xeikon International BV
T. +31 (0) 117 37 50 20
info@xeikon.com
www.xeikon.com
LABELS&LABELING |55
DIMENSIONS DIMENSIONS
Roll/web width: Upto 702mm as standard, Larger is possible Roll/web width: 3in - 12.9in (76mm - 327mm)
Print width: 702mm as standard, Larger is possible Print width: 3in - 12.6in (76mm - 320mm)
Press running speed: 80m/min, 160 possible (Extra cost) Press running speed: Up to 9.14 m/min
SUBSTRATES SUBSTRATES
Substrate thickness, minimum: N/A. Unit fits to flexo press Substrate thickness, minimum: 0.006 in (152 microns)
Substrate thickness, maximum: N/A. Unit fits to flexo press Substrate thickness, maximum: 0.013 in (350 microns)
Types of printable substrates: Paper, Plastics, Metallic Types of printable substrates: Papers (Matte, Semigloss, High
Any substrates that are unsuitable: No, but pre-treatment may Gloss, tag stock, textured), PET's, vinyls, foils, teslins
be needed Any substrates that are unsuitable: Thermal transfer
materials, PE, Shrink Wrap
FINISHING
In-line or off-line finishing: Unit fits to existing press to use FINISHING
in-line In-line or off-line finishing: Off-line
Press options: Unit fits to existing press If in-line, what finishing is available?: None
Press options: None
DIMENSIONS DIMENSIONS
Roll/web width: 6.0in- 8.5in wide (152mm - 216mm) Roll/web width: 250mm
Print width: 6.0in- 8.24in wide (152mm - 209mm) Print width: 220mm
Press running speed: Up to 9.14 m/min Press running speed: 25 m/min (600 1200 dpi)
50 m/min (600 dpi)
SUBSTRATES
SUBSTRATES
Substrate thickness, minimum: 0.006 in (152 microns)
Substrate thickness, maximum: 0.010 in (254 microns) Substrate thickness, minimum:
Types of substrates that can be printed: Papers (Matte, Substrate thickness, maximum: 0.6mm
Semigloss, High Gloss, tag stock, textured), PET's, vinyls, foils, teslins Types of printable substrates: Self-adhesive paper/film and
Any substrates that are unsuitable: Thermal transfer materials, non self-adhesive Paper/film
PE, Shrink Wrap Any substrates that are unsuitable: Testing is available
FINISHING FINISHING
In-line or off-line finishing: Off-line In-line or off-line finishing: Both
Press options: ERP Systems
Matan Nilpeter/FFEI
Name/model of digital press SprinG3 Name/model of digital press Caslon
Print head technology used: Thermal Transfer Print head technology used: Xaar 1001
Digital print process: Thermal Transfer Digital print process: Inkjet
DIMENSIONS DIMENSIONS
Roll/web width: 320mm (12.6in) Roll/web width: 340mm (13.5in) / 420mm
Print width: 307mm (12.08in) Print width: 330mm (13in) / 410mm
Press running speed: Up to 270m/hour (885ft/hour) depending Press running speed: 25-50m/min resolution dependent
on media, resolution, energy level
SUBSTRATES
SUBSTRATES Substrate thickness, minimum: 25 microns
Substrate thickness, minimum: Substrate thickness, maximum: 250 microns
Substrate thickness, maximum: Types of printable substrates: All standard label substrates
Types of printable substrates: Tnermal transfer materials
FINISHING
FINISHING In-line or off-line finishing: Available both as standalone (FFEI)
In-line or off-line finishing: Roll to roll and in-line with flexo press
If in-line, what finishing is available?: Flexo press finishing line
Press options: Corona, web cleaner
Image quality/resolution: 600 x 600dpi native Image quality/resolution: HD Color Technology; 600 x 600
dpi or 1200 x 600 dpi
DIMENSIONS
DIMENSIONS
Roll/web width: Up to 432mm
Print width: Roll/web width: Continuous: Plot Width 8.0in–12.6in (203
Press running speed: Resolution dependent mm–320 mm)
Print width: Plot Width 8.0in–12.6in (203 mm–320 mm)
SUBSTRATES Press running speed: Continuous: 30 ft./min. (9.14 m/min.);
Cut Sheet: Letter – Color 36 ppm, Mono 40 ppm; A3 – Color 19
Substrate thickness, minimum:
ppm, Mono 21 ppm
Substrate thickness, maximum:
Types of printable substrates: Paper - coated, uncoated
SUBSTRATES
Any substrates that are unsuitable: Thermal transfer materials,
PE, Shrink Wrap Substrate thickness, minimum: Continuous: 64 gsm to 216
gsm; Cut Sheet: Media Tray – 64 gsm to 216 gsm
FINISHING Substrate thickness, maximum: Continuous: 64 gsm to 216
In-line or off-line finishing: Sheeter/fanfold options gsm; Cut Sheet: Media Tray – 64 gsm to 216 gsm
Types of printable substrates: Paper, PET, Polyester, Vinyl,
Teslin
Any substrates that are unsuitable: BOPP, Tyvek
FINISHING
In-line or off-line finishing: Off-line
If in-line, what finishing is available?: Rewinder with built-in
slitting functionality
LABELS&LABELING
what appears simple is often
the most difficult to realize
[tauruslab.net]
Qualitaly!
58 | L&L
Image quality/resolution: 2400 dpi Image quality/resolution: 600 x 600dpi, 600 x 1200dpi
DIMENSIONS DIMENSIONS
Roll/web width: 8.5in (216mm) Roll/web width: 350mm
Print width: 8in (203mm) Print width: 322mm
Press running speed: 16.25 fpm (4.9m/min) Press running speed: 50m/min
SUBSTRATES SUBSTRATES
Substrate thickness, minimum: Substrate thickness, minimum: 0.09mm (3.6mil)
Substrate thickness, maximum: 9 pt. Substrate thickness, maximum: 0.35mm (13.7mil)
Types of substrates that can be printed: PVC, PET, paper, Types of printable substrates: Paper and film type self adhesive
wovens, magnetic material
Any substrates that are unsuitable: BOPP FINISHING
In-line or off-line finishing: Roll to roll and Roll to inline
FINISHING If in-line, what finishing is available?:
In-line or off-line finishing: Offline - FX1200 Digital Label
Press options: Corona and web inspection later options
Finishing System -- produces any size and shape without dies
If in-line, what finishing is available?:
Press options: FX1200 Digital Label Finishing System
LABELS&LABELING
Appleton Papers, Inc. is now Appvion, Inc.
New Name. While our name has changed, our drive to innovate has not.
As a leading global manufacturer of direct thermal paper,
Appvion creates unique label solutions through our application
Swiftcolor VIPColor
Name/model of digital press SCL-4000D Name/model of digital press VIPColor P485
Print head technology used: Print head technology used: Inkjet
Digital print process: Dye-based Inkjet Digital print process: Inkjet
DIMENSIONS DIMENSIONS
Roll/web width: Roll/web width:
Print width: 4.26in (108.35mm) Print width: Up to 8.5in (215mm)
Press running speed: Up to 7.9in (200mm)/sec Press running speed: Up to 25ft/min (7.62m/min)
SUBSTRATES SUBSTRATES
Substrate thickness, minimum: 155 micron Substrate thickness, minimum: Not supplied
Substrate thickness, maximum: 255 micron Substrate thickness, maximum: Not supplied
Types of substrates that can be printed: Exclusive roll/fanfold Types of printable substrates: Paper, tag amd synthetics roll
paper or fan fed
Any substrates that are unsuitable:
FINISHING
In-line or off-line finishing: FINISHING
If in-line, what finishing is available?: Optional auto-cutter In-line or off-line finishing:
If in-line, what finishing is available?: Manual media ciutter
LABELS&LABELING
There’ll be magic in the air on Tuesday 24 September, when the tenth annual
Label Industry Global Awards takes place at The Event Lounge in Brussels.
It’s perfect opportunity to network with industry professionals over good
food and entertainment whilst celebrating the magical efforts of your peers.
The menu has been chosen and the Ticket prices include transportation Table of 10
(to and from The Event Lounge), €1,200 + VAT
entertainment is booked, now we are welcome drinks and a three course Individual seats
just waiting to receive your reservation! meal with wine. €140 + VAT
Image quality/resolution: 360dpi x 360dpi Image quality/resolution: 1600 x 1600 & 1600 x 800 dpi
DIMENSIONS DIMENSIONS
Roll/web width: Max 450mm Roll/web width: From 2in up to 8.5in
Print width: 70mm-420mm Print width: Up to 8.5in
Press running speed: 25m/min Press running speed: 60ft/min (18m/min) at 1600x800
30ft/min (9m/min) at 1600x1600
SUBSTRATES
Substrate thickness, minimum: Not supplied SUBSTRATES
Substrate thickness, maximum: Not supplied Substrate thickness, minimum: 0.003in (76 microns)
Types of printable substrates: Paper/ps label/PET/BOPP/PVC Substrate thickness, maximum: 0.012in (305 microns)
Any substrates that are unsuitable: No Types of printable substrates: Water based inkjet media of
various types and uncoated papers
FINISHING Any substrates that are unsuitable: Non-inkjet coated medias
In-line or off-line finishing: Both
If in-line, what finishing is available?: Stamping/die-cuting/ FINISHING
laminating In-line or off-line finishing: Off-line
Press options: Corona/web inspection If in-line, what finishing is available?:
Press options: Rewinder
Xeikon Xeikon
Name/model of digital press Narrow web version Name/model of digital press Wide web version
Xeikon 3030; Xeikon 3030Plus; Xeikon 3300 Xeikon 3050; Xeikon 3500
Print head technology used: 1200 dpi LED array Print head technology used: 1200 dpi LED array
Digital print process: Xeikon dry toner Digital print process: Xeikon dry toner
Image quality/resolution: 1200 x 3600 dpi Image quality/resolution: 1200 x 3600 dpi
DIMENSIONS DIMENSIONS
Roll/web width: 200 mm upto 330 mm (7.9in - 13in) Roll/web width: 250 mm upto 516 mm (8.9in - 20.3in)
Print width: Min 200mm (7.9in); max 322mm (12.7in) Print width: Min 250mm (8.9in); max 508mm (20in)
Press running speed: Press running speed:
Xeikon 3030: 9.6 m/min - 31.5 ft/min (@ 1200 dpi, 5-color) Xeikon 3050: 9.6 m/min - 31.5 ft/min (@ 1200 dpi, 5-color)
Xeikon 3030Plus: 15 m/min - 45ft/min (@ 1200 dpi , 5-color) Xeikon 3500: 19.2 m/min - 63 ft/min (@ 1200 dpi , 5-color)
Xeikon 3300: 19.2 m/min - 63 ft/min (@ 1200 dpi, 5-color)
SUBSTRATES
SUBSTRATES Any substrates that are unsuitable: Unsupported film PET 12µ
Substrate thickness, minimum: 23µ - 1 mill ; 20µ BoPP; Shrink sleeve material
Substrate thickness, maximum: 550µ - 22 mill
Any substrates that are unsuitable: Unsupported film PET 12µ FINISHING
; 20µ BoPP; Shrink sleeve material In-line or off-line finishing: Both options are available
If in-line, what finishing is available?: UV varnish, lamination,
FINISHING semi- and full rotary diecut, slit and rewind/stacker.
In-line or off-line finishing: Both options are available Press options: Sheeter, measuring drum, Alpine Fuser drum,
If in-line, what finishing is available?: UV varnish, lamination, spot color pack
semi- and full rotary diecut, slit and rewind/stacker.
Press options: Sheeter, measuring drum, Alpine Fuser drum,
spot color pack
Sticky
BARRY HUNT examines the latest developments in adhesives and coatings
AVERY DENNISON
HERMA to show new launches Fasson
adhesives at Labelexpo Wash-off labels
LABELS&LABELING
Industrially manufactured screen printing plates – the basis for
automation and standardisation in the label print shop
Using high-quality work materials with min- But why are standardisation and automa- With the Process Efficiency Package (PEP),
imal tolerance fluctuation and consistent tion an issue for a label print shop? As a Gallus Screeny offers a concept with an
properties forms the basis for all stan- result of ever shorter delivery deadlines unbeatable advantage – the possibility of
dardisation and automation. Alongside hot/ and last-minute changes in the production manufacturing a finished screen printing
cold-foil embossing, screen printing is one sequence, a label print shop today must forme within 30 minutes. Processing is the
of the finishing options in label printing, always be able to manufacture screen same as for other photopolymer printing
and screen printing plates of reliably high printing formes as quickly as possible using plates as used for letterpress and flexogra-
quality are key to producing first-class automated processes. phic printing. All the work stages are clear-
labels. Put simply, a press can ultimately Standardisation and automation mean: ly defined and can be carried out quickly
only deliver quality if top quality tools and Fewer process steps with just a few simple accessories. With
consumables are also used. With screen Greater production reliability PEP, the imaging, exposure, washing out
printing plates it is important that the Higher productivity and printing accessory maintenance stages
screen fabric and photopolymer layer are These factors enable a print shop to supply are automated. All product lines of Gallus
always of the same standard, as fluctua- more labels by the promised dates, even Screeny screen printing plates can be used
tions in quality in one of these two areas where deadlines are tight or are changed at for manufacturing the rotary screen printing
inevitably lead to printing problems. short notice. forme with PEP.
Automation
Graphics Fusing &
Increase of process reliability through Automatic
Digital imaging squeegee Printing
automated workflow developing
sharpener
Automatic process chain
FEEL
Gallus Screeny effect | Neon Gallus Screeny effect | Sparkle Gallus Screeny effect | Grip
www.gallus-group.com
Better business prospects with rotary screen printing?
V
For sure! f
Screen printing is ideal wherever a high Other attractive surface effects using spe- Food that has gone bad is dangerous, but
degree of coverage, precise detail and col-
our intensity are required to obtain brilliant,
cific material/coating combinations appeal
to customers’ sense of touch and sense of
thermochromatic inks can prevent it from
being consumed. Under the influence of
G
high-quality print products. Of all printing
processes, screen printing is still the one
play with surfaces ranging from velvety to
rough. Touch-and-feel is the magic word.
heat, the visual appearance of these spe-
cial inks changes. This effect can be used, a
that can apply the thickest ink layers and for example, to check whether the storage
coarsest pigments to the substrate. This
is because the ink is applied directly to the
Rotary screen printing and combination
printing offer decorative labels a wide
temperature of frozen food has always
been maintained correctly. Just by looking,
r
substrate through the mesh openings in range of different special effects to capture consumers can identify whether a frozen
the screen printing plate (such as Gallus
Screeny).
the attention of end users. product is still fit for consumption. o
Applying coarse pigments using screen
printing makes labels more difficult to i
forge. Rotary screen printing ensures
maximum security and protection against
counterfeiting for high-value products due
y
to screeny, inks and coarse pigments.
O
a
e
m
Screen printing is used first and foremost The following effects can be applied to T
for decorative and functional labels. End the substrate using Gallus Screeny screen p
users’ attention has to be attracted and printing plates: n
d
their curiosity stimulated when they are
making their first purchase. Success is only No-label look Matt metal
O
assured by using an attractively designed Tactile reliefs Velvety material p
label that appeals to as many of the senses Grip feel Pearly lustre
as possible (look, feel). For consumers Sparkle (Iriodin) T
making a repeat purchase, labels must Rough Fluorescent inks s
come with striking, easily recognised sandimation Luminescent inks h
features, such as tactile relief work, to Rubber imitation Scented coatings p
G
quickly confirm to end users that they have Frozen foam Scratch ink
J
purchased the desired product. Screen and Tactile wood Thermochromatic
H
combination printing succeed in attrac- structure inks 9
ting the attention of end customers by S
using outstanding effects. Screen printing As well as purely decorative applications,
enables unique design features that grab screen printing is also used to achieve T
consumers’ attention when making an what are sometimes essential technical t
a
initial or repeat purchase. functions. In many countries, only labels
Gallus Screeny for no-label-look effect w
One particular feature of screen printing is that have been printed with the legally
its ability to produce what is known as the required information in Braille can be sold C
no-label look, in which transparent labels to the pharmaceuticals sector. Braille sym- o
are applied to the packaging. This creates bols can be applied to labels by means of To produce all these decorative and func- l
the impression that the print image has screen printing. tional effects requires high-quality screen
been printed directly onto the packaging, printing formes, as a print image can only
thus producing an elegant and extremely When a label is exposed to climatic influen- be as good as the printing forme used for
high-quality feel. The greater colour con- ces (such as UV light, rain), screen printing it. Whether ultra-fine line motifs or relief
trast and higher colour intensity achieved is currently the printing process that gives printing, Gallus Screeny offers the market’s
on the transparent self-adhesive material the print product the most reliable resis- most comprehensive range of rotary
also grabs buyers’ attention at the point of tance to weathering. screen printing plates in this sector.
sale.
www.gallus-group.com
LABELS&LABELING |65
trends
adhesive stays with the shredded label flakes to give 100 percent
recycling of the PET material.
"Solvent-based PSAs, especially those
UPM Raflatac offers RC 7W, a temperature-sensitive, clear acrylic based on acrylics and vinyl acrylic
adhesive for wash-off film labels in PET bottle-to-bottle recycling.
The clear or white PP facestocks are washed off in a hot caustic polymers, now tend to be identified
solution and separated from ground-up PET bottles by gravity to with speciality applications where
leave pure, food-grade polyester suitable for bottle-to-bottle use.
The non-bleed adhesive is said to provide excellent performance in there are no suitable alternatives
high-speed dispensing and retains its high and lasting clarity even
in wet conditions.
without a loss in performance"
PUTTING ON THE PRESSURE as a tolerance to challenging conditions. At one time the
Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are always tacky and excellent initial tack and final adhesion of solvent-based
comprise three main types: permanent, semi-permanent with adhesives, plus their heat resistance, were unmatched
post-application repositioning, and removable. The main by water-based acrylic adhesives or normal rubber
technologies are based on acrylic polymers and solvent-coated and hot-melt adhesives. A major drawback is that, like
rubber/resin solutions. They in turn result in solvent-based rubber/resin solutions, solvents require recovery and/
adhesives, water-based acrylic adhesives (also named dispersion/ or incineration to meet today's stricter environmental
emulsion adhesives), and permanent hot-melt adhesives. Their legislation.
formulations and properties embrace everything from deep-freeze ‘Solvent-based PSAs, especially those based on acrylics
labels applications to PSAs that are compatible with repulping or and vinyl acrylic polymers, now tend to be identified
compostable processes. with speciality applications where there are no suitable
Adhesives made from organic solvents are noted for their fast alternatives without a loss in performance,’ says Michelle
bond strength, good heat, chemical and UV resistance, as well Tettamani of ICAP-SIRA, an Italian coatings manufacturer.
COATINGS IN BRIEF
NEW ADHESIVES PRODUCT ROUND-UP
Kocher+Beck GmbH + Co. Rotationsstanztechnik KG, www.kocher-beck.com, Hotline Germany +49 (0)71 27 97 85-0, United Kingdom +44(0)1530
81 2400, USA: Flex Tooling Division +1 913 529-4336, Hard Tooling Division +1 770 623-6111, Russian Federation +7 (495) 660 02 28
50 years of...
Passion
and Excellence
OMET Srl
See us in Hall 6 H90 www.archipelago.omet.it
LABELS&LABELING |69
COATINGS IN BRIEF
A ROUND-UP OF THE LATEST
ADHESIVE AND COATING STORIES
IN-HOUSE COATING
Over the years, label converters have
shown fluctuating interest in using
siliconizing and adhesive coating
techniques to produce all or part of
their labelstock needs. A combination
of economic uncertainties and some
key technical advances have helped
boost more in-house label production.
While attempts to reduce bought-in PULSE launches adhesive for linerless labels
labelstock costs remains a major reason,
other factors may include overcoming or even window patterns.’ He adds that water-based acrylic adhesives are a firm
supply-chain limitations, as well as the non-contact curtain technology allows favorite among many small-to-medium
opportunity to develop customized users to make clear adhesive coatings sized in-house coaters. The operators
pressure-sensitive products. In each case without streaks or imperfections. Slot can prepare their own ready-to-use
the trick is to keep equipment busy, while dies offer another coating option, adhesives. Hot-melt PSAs are more
tightly controlling waste costs. handling coating weights from one to complex so are usually supplied by
‘By coating your own stock, you can 150 gsm for small to large volumes. specialist adhesive suppliers. However,
create a specialty label that gives you a In-house coating has long been they do not require high-energy drying
competitive edge. Even better, in many a speciality of Montreal-based ETI ovens and recent advances – combined
cases you can add a hot-melt coating Converting Equipment. It recently with today's high performance UV-cured
station directly in-line to the printing introduced a pattern unit for applying silicones for use with paper or filmic
press,’ says Mike Budai, coatings and hot-melt adhesives with clean edges at liners – have widened their usage.
laminations manager at ITW Dynatec. high speeds. It follows a similar pattern In terms of quality control, in-house
‘The options include controlled coater for acrylic adhesive, which coaters can readily access standardized
continuous or intermittent patterns, is also retrofittable to ETI's Cohesio bench-top units to measure a label's peel
which can be in strips, bars, rectangle dual-unwind coating modules. The adhesion to a surface, tack levels, and
control. Other in-house coating products involves a great deal of skill. We can see
include the Miniliner retrofit module for it as an enabling technology that, for
producing 12-micron die-cut PET release example, allows label converters to just
liner; a linerless system based on the as easily choose laminates for labeling
Cohesio with inline die-cutting; and the frozen chickens as they can to label an
higher-volume Labeline with UV flexo automotive component. All this from a
printing, facestock and liner coaters, technology that largely lurks unseen in
laminator and die-cutters. the background.
With their simple formulations,
LABELS&LABELING
See us on stand 9H68
72 | L&L
Trini Labels
LABEL HOUSE GROUP has led flexography’s development in Trinidad, influencing label production in the
Caribbean by managing challenges unique to island business. Danielle Jerschefske reports
The Republic of Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) is comprised of two promotional products for such fierce rival brands as Coca-Cola
larger islands and a few small ones within an archipelago a few and Pepsi. It’s a Trini thing: isolated development, talented
miles north of Venezuela. Its industrial-focused economy, which people and manufacturing to an international standard.
stems from a lucrative export infrastructure for oil and natural
gas reserves, distinguishes the nation from its more service- GLOBAL NETWORKING
oriented Caribbean neighbors. There were no phone lines outside Port of Spain when Lewis
To cultivate the petroleum business, the T&T government has opened for business 35 years ago, and local farm goats
invested in public education, so the island has a skilled and regularly visited the building with intermittent electrical power
eager workforce. The ‘Trini’ people are a healthy rainbow of and two small Mark Andy presses. As the island matured
Indian, African, White and others of varying heritage. through the 1980s, Lewis joined leading Americas trade
David Lewis, founder and CEO of the Label House Group, groups TLMI and FTA to expand his industry network and gain
says, ‘A Trini label can be used as a passport to the whole technical knowledge.
diverse community of the Caribbean. From island to island, He says, ‘I joined TLMI in order to connect with the suppliers
there are wholly different business principles influenced by that could help develop flexography in Trinidad & Tobago and
French, English, Spanish, Dutch and indigenous people. This the region. At the time, there weren’t any PS labels on the
makes local suppliers unique, the customers different, and island. Beer labels were printed litho. The technology network
the employees special. Successful island business requires had much to offer us.’
acute knowledge of the client’s culture and a strong balance in Lewis lured associates to Trinidad with a promise for new
managing expectations and maintaining credibility.’ business, to witness the annual Carnival and the opportunity to
Lewis established Label House Limited outside Trinidad’s conduct research and development in secluded confidential-
capital city Port of Spain in 1978. Today the Trini converter ity. This benefit was valued by potential customers then, and
produces labels for a great number of international, regional is a key reason Label House has such a broad and prominent
and local brands in a wide variety of market sectors – water, customer base today.
juice, carbonated beverages, motor oil, beer, personal care and Quickly a global network including expert partners at Mobil,
food, gourmet and liqor. Sun, Flint and SKC gave Lewis and his team real guidance.
The business is trusted to produce labels and other Steve Lee of RotoMetrics, the 2012 R. Stanton Avery Lifetime
LABELS&LABELING
LABELS&LABELING |73
www.pac kprintsummit.com/miami
LABELS&LABELING |75
T&T HISTORY
In 1889 the two islands of Trinidad and
Tobago became a single crown British
colony after many years of Spanish rule.
T&T obtained independence from the British
Empire in 1962, eventually becoming a
Republic in 1976.
LABELS&LABELING
78
Mike Lane is the new CEO at Lofton BRAND COMMITMENT commitment at the very basis of what
Label located south of St. Paul, ‘For Lofton, the essence of our brand we do, then the employee knows that’s
Minnesota. He brings the label is commitment,’ Lane says. By putting what they have to understand. If the
converting operation 27 years of sales commitment at the core of its business commitment is to get it right, then as an
and marketing experience at Cargill, proposition, Lofton employees are employee, I know I’m not going to run that
the huge, privately held international empowered to make the right decisions 40-pound paper. I’m going to go to my
producer of food and agricultural during critical situations throughout the supervisor and get the customer service
products. His objective is to refresh the label manufacturing process. rep and sales person involved. We have to
Lofton Label brand promise and use Press operators and shop floor staff stop things, but we get it right.’
it as a strategic tool to drive customer are considered part of what Lanes calls The underpinnings of the Lofton Label
satisfaction. ‘the emotional group’ involved in making brand promise is about commitment
While CEOs and executive teams labels. One example: an operator is throughout each area of the business
direct the intellectual vision of a delivered a substrate with paper facestock – from labels, to labeling equipment
company and create the framework and polypropylene liner as specified, and service. The team’s executives are
required to fulfill the mission and values but believes the material has a different actively communicating to all employees
of the business, workers throughout the weight than the one typically used for the the importance of the label converting
rest of a group perform everyday tasks repeat order. The operator has a decision business as a ‘part player’ within the
that build on the company’s defined to make: run what’s in hand, or not. supply chain.
purpose. Lane explains: ‘You could say it’s
When calling on Lofton Label two and an intellectual decision, but it’s also REVIEW & REORGANIZE
half years ago as a brand consultant, emotional. The operator is likely Lofton Label participates in 28 vertical
Lane uncovered that the converter had contemplating confrontation with markets – chemicals, GHS, health and
not only a brand problem, but also a superiors. He is wondering if his boss will beauty and food for the likes of Hormel
business problem. At that time, there say, “Just run it” so it’s out the door on and Deli Express to name a few. A new
was a wavering connection on all time. At that point, the mission statement structure given to the sales team created
sides of the business with annual sales is the farthest thought in the mind of the a national segmentation in the department
of 20 million USD in decline. Lofton employee.’ and camaraderie across the sales force.
Label’s customer-facing teams were The label is a vital component in The reps were placed in teams of two –
fragmented and capital investment ensuring the productivity of production one as a hunter and the other a nurturer.
and overhead spend required closer lines in the world of consumer-based Three sales teams conduct the majority of
attention to detail. brands. Packaging lines cannot be put business in producing labels plus inside
Enter Lane. In three years, Lofton in a holding pattern because a label is and equipment sales. Customer service
Label has embraced a new brand not performing to spec or hasn’t been was reorganized to align with sales reps.
promise and is reorganized to move delivered on time. Luther Galchutt, Lofton’s vice president
forward stronger than ever before. Lane explains: ‘If we’re all about of sales, manages Lofton’s long-term
LABELS&LABELING
AM I ALWAYS IN A
MARGIN WAR?
WHO ISN’T?
AM I
WINNING IT?
EFI Jetrion 4900 Series
DIGITAL LABEL
PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
Run lengths shorten. Profits shrink. Time to change the game. The EFI™ Jetrion®
4900 series printers are the leanest way to produce labels. You go from a print
file directly to a finished roll without interruption. Which means you improve
efficiency, productivity and profitability as you remove cost from current jobs. Is
it time to get digital printing and digital finishing in a single system? Oh yeah.
relationship with 3M. The global giant for low-volume custom orders,’ says
has a long history of ordering custom Gaughan. The company also uses three
work from the converter, which is often 16-inch Mark Andy presses, including a
supported with the sale and service small 4150.
of Universal Labeling Systems and The degree to which digital printing will
Quadrel Labeling equipment. Lofton replace flexography as a print technology
Label produces thermal labels used in in the label industry is a regular
Zebra and Dantax high speed and fully discussion. The converter first invested in
automated print and application units. HP Indigo technology in 2010, has grown
Once the organization placed the the business steadily and plans to add a
brand focus of commitment at its core second HP Indigo prior to the end of the
for customer-facing employees, it was fiscal year in September.
time to review bottom line impacts more Says Lane: ‘When investing in
thoroughly and ask the question: Can new equipment, you must have the MIKE LANE is the new CEO at Lofton Label
the business survive with the revenue justification.
coming in against the cost? 'Our current level of sales growth
Film converting of flexible materials year-over-year is five times the reported
and pouches is about 30 percent of GDP.’
Lofton Label’s flexographic production Still, the converter is looking at what
volume. The company is breaking into it can do to improve production while
the pharmaceutical industry (where limiting the amount of additional capital
margins are five to 10 percent higher) required to enhance performance. Lane
with complex multi-laminated foil says: ‘If we can do more things right, and
constructions. not have the mistakes and the charge
Lofton uses a variety of flexographic backs, we can keep production flowing
presses to manufacture flexible in flexo. Operating with well maintained,
packaging. Mike Gaughan, vice depreciated equipment provides a
president of production, explains: ‘We competitive cost advantage on the flexo
have a 24-inch Aquaflex press with a side of the business. It’s amazing how
configuration that is fantastic for films you can compete this way.’
and flexible materials, and we compete Lofton Label’s renewed ethos is
great with it.’ Flexibles are also converted conveyed through the brand’s promise
on a Mark Andy XP5000, he adds. of commitment, connecting the entire
A small percentage of Lofton’s label organization. With a shared promise,
work is run on two tried and true Webtron the revitalized converter team is
presses with four color stations plus progressively exceling and driving
a varnish. ‘The Webtrons continue to profitability in the right direction.
offer solid performance for small runs LOFTON Label plant
LABELS&LABELING
DO I HAVE A BUSINESS
ANALYSIS TEAM?
I WISH.
AM I SURE OF
EVERY DECISION?
EFI RADIUS
ERP/MIS SOLUTION
The EFI Radius integrated ERP/MIS solution is the perfect fit for packaging operations that produce
labels, flexible packaging, folding cartons and extruded materials. It gives immediate access to the
critical information you need to enable higher revenue growth and improved profit margins. With
EFI Radius, packaging companies regularly outperform their peers running other solutions. Last
year, our customers achieved 9% or greater profit margins at twice the rate of other packaging
companies. See it for yourself.
QUICK FACTS
In 2012 SAScoat served 70 customers in
35 countries. Geographically, this was split
50 percent in Europe, the Middle East and
Africa, 25 percent Americas and 25 percent
Asia Pacific.
Production is 30 percent filmic substrates
and 70 percent paper.
The company has 140 employees and runs
two shifts, six days a week.
SAScoat does not employ expatriates to PHAN-THIET at night
run any part of its business.
Global Release
Liner Conference
DANIELLE JERSCHEFSKE reports on the annual AWA Global Release Liner Industry Conference & Exhibition
2013 held in Denver, Colorado in March. The conference brings together key industry players to educate,
discuss, debate and share valuable information on the release liner market
GLOBAL Brazil’s growth in the last three years no improvement to the level surface.
AWA’s president and CEO Corey has been less than expected. This is Shrinkage was controlled nicely, which is
Reardon opened the conference by attributed to investments focused on the a good indication of dimensional stability
sharing a global market overview. 37.6 domestic market, especially leading into of the cellulose.
million sq meters of release liner was the hosting of the 2014 World Cup and Hamilton said: ‘The cost of the
produced and used around the world 2016 Summer Olympics. technology, once it’s matured, is
in 2012. North America represents a 30 Mexico is growing faster and has been expected to be no more than a percent
percent share and Europe 32 percent. outperforming Brazil in the last three higher than standard soft wood
Reardon said: ‘In only a year or two Asia years, partly because of its export focus. cellulose.’
Pacific will surpass the western world in The country has free trade deals with
liner consumption.’ 44 other nations, more than any other TRENDS
Release liner is experiencing growth country in the world. Film was highlighted as a fast growing
above seven percent in Asia. Said segment in Asia and in Brazil for PP
Reardon: ‘Note that the Asian market is NORTH AMERICA and PET liner particularly. To support
not homogenous like North America and John Smedley, sales director for North that, during a Silicone and Release
Europe. There’s more disparity in growth America UPM specialty papers, said: Liner Panel chat, professionals from
amongst the market’s countries with ‘Supply chain efficiency will be a key Dow Corning, Avery Dennison, Flexcon
China and India leading.’ differentiator for PS material stakeholders and Bluestar Silicones agreed that the
For comparison, the global growth rate in the coming years, as well as technical industry is starting to see more of a
of release liner is about four percent. The service and managing globalization. significant breakthrough with film liners in
Middle East and Africa, looking mostly at Smedley highlighted the need for the label world.
Kenya and South Africa, experienced a global consistency in material supply Additionally, Chris Velasquez of Dow
four plus percent growth rate. Reardon saying: ‘End users want to be able to Corning said: ‘Flexible packaging is
explained that growth in South America take a material from one market and use driving properties that silicone can bring
is difficult to track exactly since it’s the same stock to run the same brand to packaging, so we see that as a growth
primarily driven by Brazil. label on a press in a different country.’ opportunity.’
Forty percent of global liner material is International converters servicing Value chain compression, referring to
glassine. Last year the industry saw UPM global brand conglomerates, too, converters investing in their own coating
invest in glassine production in China. would like to have more consistency in and converting lines, was mentioned as
Polyolefin coated papers represents 34 running performance. However, with the a trend to keep an eye on. Converters
percent of the global liner material share complexity of the global paper supply that have made such investments in
driven largely by China. chain, to fulfill this wish will require machinery from the like of ETI Converting
significant unraveling. are looking for three things: innovation,
LATIN AMERICA cost reduction and sustainability.
Roberto Ribiero, manager for Asterisco NANO CELLULOSE Release liner recyclability was
Consultoria E Participacoes, reviewed Stirling Consulting president, Robert addressed in a workshop conducted by
the characteristics of the release liner Hamilton, reviewed a pilot trial using Calvin Frost of Channeled Resources
market in Latin America specifically. The nanotechnology to improve release liner Group. The main question: is liner
Latin American market consumed 1.77 base paper performance. Conducted recycling an obstacle or an opportunity?
million sq meters of release liner in 2012 at the University of Maine Process While there was no ultimate answer
where growth is expected to continue Development Center, the objective of the found for Frost’s question, it was
at around five percent over the next five research is tri-fold: to improve the level beneficial to have stakeholders from
years. sheet surface, to improve the bonding each part of the release liner value
Ribiero said: ‘The growth of pressure within the fibers and to increase the chain involved in a discussion on how
sensitive material in Latin America hydrogen fibers within a paper sheet. to tackle recycling as an industry. What
is derived from labels for wine.’ It’s A typical papermaking fiber has a is clear is that there needs to be a value
worth mentioning too that 27 percent diameter of 15-40 microns. Cellulose proposition for recycling release liner. It
of converters in the region produce 80 nanofibrils have a diameter of .02 needs to be seen as a valuable material
percent of total annual labels consumed microns. The minute size of the rather than waste.
in the whole of the market. nanofibrils reduces the energy input The industry has seen innovation and
Brazil and Mexico were said to from the mechanical refining of the pulp/ collaboration surrounding this topic over
represent 60 percent of the Latin cellulose product. the last couple of years, but the objective
American economy. In 2012, Mexico In the end, the trial found the remains unclear, education needs to be
experienced GDP growth at six percent technology to provide extremely good done and change needs to be made.
while Brazil had only three percent. release properties. However, results gave
LABELS&LABELING
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North American label manufacturing executives convened a chart that showed a 29 percent reduction in GHG emissions
at the 2013 TLMI annual Converter Meeting in Palm Beach, for PepsiCo’s Naked brand of juices distributed in 100 percent
Florida earlier this year. To kick the event off, Alan Beaulieu, recycled content PET bottles.
a principal at ITR Economics – who has now presented at the Jim Raguckas, label purchasing manager at Nestle Waters
yearly meeting an unprecedented three times – shared his North America (NWNA), echoed Socci’s promotion of rPET.
valued insight. NWNA moved its Resource brand spring water to 50 percent
Beaulieu told the group to expect a consumer-led small rPET bottles in 2012
recession in 2014. He said: ‘The next 'good years' will be from Raguckas said: ‘Plans are in place to continue incorporating
2015 through 2018.’ Those interested in selling their business rPET in the NWNA brand portfolio.’
were advised to do so during this time, and for cash. When it comes to recovering and reusing materials,
It’s anticipated that the good years will be followed by a economy of scale can be a barrier. There is a limited supply
significant downturn in 2019 where cash flow will be critical of post-consumer PET, and a much lower price for the plastic
to business survival. However, the dip will be less impacting down the value chain.
than what much of the world felt in 2009. A global depression A key issue the industry is working to overcome is the
is forecast for the decade of the 2030s when the US will have contamination of PET during the recycling process. Already
interest rates well above the Jimmy Carter years. For this in 2011 the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) and the
reason, and because banks have saved an incredible amount National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR)
of money in recent years, now is the time to borrow. flagged pressure sensitive labels for contaminating PET
‘Borrow until you can’t sleep at night,’ said Beaulieu. thermoform containers in Canada.
‘Modernize your facility now, and automate as much as you can.’ The associations have since established a protocol for recycle
Beaulieu warned the group about wage inflation: ‘You’re compatibility of PS labels and their parts – adhesive, facestock
going to have to spend more money on training people with the and inks. The protocol tests for effective release properties in
right attitude and aptitude. Poaching will begin. the wash water process and haziness in the recovered plastic.
‘Profit sharing is a great way to enhance profitability and is a PET loses value significantly when it’s not pristine, which affects
way to make sure that your best people stay. Don’t get left with the economic viability of recovery.
the “C squad” trying to compete.’ Raguckas said: ‘We are testing and validating more recycle
friendly materials for PS labeling, ones that allow release in the
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS MANAGEMENT PANEL wash water bath and also eliminate or reduce ink bleed in the
Darrell Hughes, Avery Dennison VP and GM of label and recovery stream. This is a ‘must have’ for our brands.’
packaging materials, North America, hosted a panel discussion The label industry in North America has responded, and
on package recycling which included big name brand owners. leading materials suppliers offer stocks designed to be more
It was apparent that end users are knowledgeable about the compatible with existing recycling methods. L&L’s new website
issues at hand and are making hard business decisions to has additional information.
support corporate sustainability goals. Both brand owners told delegates that their companies
Edward Socci, director of advanced research at PepsiCo, will continue testing reduced weight paper stocks and will
opened with a presentation on recycled content PET (rPET) move forward with LCAs of recycled content substrates. The
bottles. He shared LCA results comparing the environmental reduction, elimination or reuse of materials used to package
impacts of rPET versus virgin PET packaging. Socci presented labels for distribution was encouraged.
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Family is bigger
than business
STUART KELLOCK, managing director of UK converter Label Apeel, takes a frank look at the pressures of
running a business with family members
If you see the letters FB, you probably Michelle, my wife took a sabbatical from I set rules: only two years, only
think Facebook. For me this is the teaching to do maternity cover for our interested in a sales job and I wanted a
acronym I used so I didn’t have to say the sales manager. So here I am, having company car.
words I disliked most, ‘Family Business’. spent 20 years trying to distance myself I ended up with less money, on the
The reason I used to shrink away from from the family business moniker, back worst printing press ever, with a new
these words is because of how FB’s are where I started working with the family. set of bike clips. Welcome to the heady
perceived. Probably even more than that It’s not my family that were at fault; world of family business!
is the fear of how I was perceived as a they’re wonderful people. It was the idea Twelve months after joining we ran out
second generation family business owner. of how I was perceived for taking the of work. It was 1992 and what was left
It might be me, but doesn’t everybody family shilling. of the hosiery and knitwear industry was
think that second generation family heading east. I stepped up as salesman.
business owners are a bunch of FROM COP TO PRINTER In my head I’d be ‘super rep’ in an RS
freeloaders? Can someone who has It was never my plan to work for the Cosworth, prowling Britain looking for
climbed their way up the corporate FB. The aim was to get into the police label opportunities, driving, eating and
pole really have respect for the silver force. That didn’t happen, so I did an talking on a massive mobile phone. No
spoon-fed halfwit in front of them? I don’t apprenticeship as a film planner and chance! No mobile, not even my own
know. The only thing I do know is that platemaker. When the apprenticeship landline. I used dad’s. No company car
the fear that someone might think these ended I had a fateful conversation with either. Instead, I got to drive mum’s Mini
things of me has driven me to work hard my grandmother over her ham, egg and Metro and dad’s Volvo estate, but both
so I can bury the idea that Label Apeel is chips that changed everything. I found came with the warning: ‘Don’t drop any
a ‘family’ business. myself moving from ‘Only sad losers crumbs.’
It’s actually been a long time since work for their parents’ to ‘Yeah seems like I realized I had to do make the best of
Label Apeel was a true family business a good move.’ I still don’t know how she a bad situation.
with more than one member of my family did it, but the die was cast and I knew As Label Apeel grew I ended up in a
in it. Well, that was until January when that I had no way out. business with both my parents and my
JULY 2013 | L&L
92 | L&L
sister and, at its largest, 40 staff. People all its forms has the potential to be both discover just how lonely that could be.
often think working for a family business negative and positive and thankfully we
is a wholesome, round the kitchen table were able to ride the positives. BACK TO 2013
affair. Ours wasn’t. We often treated Passion is a very difficult energy to Now Michelle has joined, I’m able to
the people who worked with us badly. control and peoples’ passions are truly appreciate the benefits of working
In short we treated our employees as different. My parents started the business in a family business. Being able to
if they were members of the family. In to create stable futures for their children. share thoughts and misgivings is a very
fact the only people we treated worse Their passion was to look after us. My rewarding thing and something that I
than the staff were each other. Stand sister was driven by the financial success missed. We haven’t yet had a falling out
up rows in the middle of the office and of the business. My passion was to prove and I doubt we will. The difference is that
the sight of people storming out was myself, to scour myself of the blemish Michelle and I share a common passion
not unusual. I resigned on at least three of being daddy’s little helper. I was the and we have a common goal. If the kids
occasions. Yet we were successful, only one with what you might consider a ever want to join us then that may be a
we had full order books, good profits negative motivation. It was about me and different matter. I only hope they’re not
and maintained a core staff over a long how I was perceived. as cruel to me as I was to my parents.
period of time. This led to the ultimate bust up where I For those who are wondering, my sister
sacked my sister, and my parents decided and I are again firm friends and she’s in
PASSION AND ENERGY REQUIRED to retire. business with her husband. My parents
At the time I wondered how we At last I had the opportunity to make my were angry for about six months but we
could make a success out of such mark on my own. I discovered that the were with them the Christmas after they
a dysfunctional management setup. ownership was less than I had probably retired. Mum passed away a month ago
Although we lacked good management hoped for. I missed the trips to the pub and her retirement was too short and
practice, we did have two key with dad. I missed sharing the joy when dogged by illness. Dad and I still enjoy a
ingredients – passion and energy. We we won a new customer with my sister pint together and he loves thrashing me
cared about the product to the point and I missed the kind words from mum at at chess. I suspect that I have been lucky
of obsession and beneath the fighting the end of one of those awful days. Now to discover that family is bigger than
we cared about each other. Passion in I was on my own and I had eight years to business. It certainly was in our case.
SWISS
QUALITY
www.pantecgssystems.com
gs systems
LABELS&LABELING
94 | L&L
LED breakthrough
at Open House
MARK ANDY’S UK Open House saw a breakthrough demonstration of fully commercialized
UV LED curing on a flexo press. Andy Thomas reports
Mark Andy held a four day Open House at its refurbished UK paper labels, shrink sleeves and unsupported film labels,
demo center in April, attracting 200 visitors from 60 countries direct thermal printing and pouches – with no additional heat
and showcasing for the first time a fully commercialized LED management on the press. There was a five percent increase in
curing system on a UV flexo press. production speed.
A stunning demonstration of the new Mark Andy ProLED ‘The first commercial label was printed at 250m/min on a 13in
curing system on a 6-color Performance Series’ P3 showed 9-station press,’ said Palm.
how quickly this technology has come of age – and how it can Because LED operates on a narrow wavelength, it requires
match the performance of mercury lamp-based systems at a specially formulated inks, coatings and adhesives, which have
greatly reduced overall cost and level of energy consumption. been developed and implemented by Flint Group, Mark Andy's
Introducing the ProLED system, Greg Palm, vice president partner in the 18-month UV LED initiative.
new business development at Mark Andy, said that compared Flint’s EkoCure ink system has been extensively tested and
to a conventional UV Hg system, LED offers ‘more press uptime successfully passed standard adhesion and abrasion resistance
with fewer equipment failures, a faster and deeper cure for tests, according to Niklas Olsson, global brand manager Flint
higher productivity, and is more energy efficient with longer life Group Narrow Web. EkoCure is a full ink set including Screen
bulbs and lower maintenance requirements. And because it’s a White, gloss and semi-gloss inks.
solid state system, it offers instant ‘on-off’ switching.’ The initial investment for a ProLED system is higher than for
To demonstrate how little heat the LED lamps generate, Palm conventional Hg, but Greg Palm said ROI is usually less than 12
put his hand against the compact lamp head while the press months. ‘This is because energy consumption typically falls by
was running. Taken together with a high level of curing control, 75 percent, maintenance costs fall by 85 percent, and it has a
ProLED is therefore well suited for thin or filmic substrates. 50 percent smaller carbon footprint.’
‘Lack of heat and ozone also improve the safety and comfort of ProLED lamp systems are available as both an OEM and
the working environment,’ added Palm. retrofit option. Future developments will include low migration
According to Palm, LED bulb life is at least 20,000 hours, versions of the inks and more powerful drying systems.
which compares to 500-2000 for Hg bulbs. UV LED consumes
around 50 percent less power, operates at 60 degrees Celsius FAST DIE CHANGE
(as opposed to 350degC) , and with no shutters or mirrors, has The Open House featured demonstrations of combination
low maintenance requirements. There is no requirement for printing on a 430mm (17”) wide 8-color P5 Performance Series
blowers or for ducting, decreasing ambient noise levels. press, fitted with a combination of UV-flexo print stations, a
The first ProLED pilot system has been running 24/7 at a removable Screen print station, DMS rotary hot foil stamping,
converter since October 2012 with no downtime for system and the new Quick Change Die Cut (QCDC) unit first seen at
or bulb failure, said Palm. Early jobs produced include Labelexpo Americas last year.
LABELS&LABELING
LABELS&LABELING |95
ROTOFLEX
Rotoflex showcased its VLI and the VSI inspection rewinders
and the redesigned URC 2.0 control system which allows both
machines to handle virtually all types of substrate tensions and
web management at high speed.
Launched at Labelexpo Chicago, the VLI line has multiple
slitting, multi lane counting, dual rewind, multiple web guiding,
and missing label or matrix detection. The Open House unit
was fitted with a Nikka inspection camera. The unit is optimized
for unsupported film as well as PS substrates.
Kevin Gourlay, Rotoflex business director, said a new digital
die cutting unit will be unveiled at Labelexpo Europe.
In March Rotoflex announced a strategic alliance with
Canadian systems specialist Scantech, which will bring
GREG PALM, VP new business development horizontal inspection rewind equipment to the Rotoflex portfolio.
Mark Andy, places his hand on a UVLED lamp Under the agreement Rotoflex will market, sell and support
Scantech equipment designs worldwide exclusively under the
Rotoflex brand name.
QCDC replaces the traditional method of lifting a heavy die The new horizontal machines will continue to be built in the
cylinder up and over the machine frame and then lowering it company’s Toronto, Ontario-based facility. Two new rewinders
into the die station. The operator simply opens an access panel will be launched under the Rotoflex banner at Labelexpo
in the press side frame, wheels a cart into position, aligns the Europe in September.
guide rails, and slides out the old die cylinder. The die cylinder
for the next job is then wheeled into place on another cart, the
rails aligned, and the new cylinder slid into place. The door EMBRACING DIGITAL
is closed and the operator can register the new die in position Mark Andy has a long tradition of experimenting with digital printing, first
from a comfortable working height of 965mm (38"). There is in an alliance with (pre-Punch Graphics) Xeikon, and then integrating a
no heavy lifting or leaning over the press involved, virtually Dotrix 4-color inkjet module onto a 2200 press frame (the DT2200).
eliminating risk to operator or die. But with the launch of its fast change Performance Series presses, Mark
The QCDC reduces set up time and waste, and increases Andy has maintained that conventional print can compete with digital
production speed and die life, said Mark Andy. Changeover down to run lengths of well under 1,000 meters.
time, from when the press stops to when it produces its next To fill the ultra-short run gap this leaves, the company launched to the
saleable label, drops from a typical 10–15 minutes to less than European market its SRL 4.0 digital printer, a Mark Andy badged version
one minute. Mark Andy calculates that on a two-shift operation of OKI’s 4-color LED toner-based print engine. Capable of printing an
of a 330mm (13”) press, the QCDC can produce up to 29 image up to 320mm wide on a 327mm wide web at speeds up to nine
percent more jobs per year. meters/min, the SRL can handle a 305mm diameter roll, for roll-to-roll
QCDC is available on any new Performance Series P5 or production, or it can work from sheet to sheet. It does not require the
P7 machine, and may also be retrofitted to the more than 250 stock to be pre-coated, and can re-register a job to print pre-die cut labels.
already installed worldwide. Mark Andy recently received an Supported substrates range from self-adhesive paper and light card up
to 216-gsm, to supported and unsupported film stocks including PET,
FTA Technical Innovation award for this technology.
Teslin and HDPE up to 150-micron. The SRL uses a PDF workflow with
The P5 at the Open House ran a 7-color job including die
automatic image imposition.
cut, rotary screen and cold foil at speeds in excess of 85mpm.
The crossover point for the SRL 4.0 is reckoned by Mark Andy to be in
The screen unit was then removed and the die was changed
the region of 3-600 meters, or 5,000–15,000 (100mm x 90mm) labels.
in the QCDC unit. Two additional jobs were then shown in Complementing the SRL is the SRC (Short Run Converting) unit. The
quick succession, demonstrating accurate matrix stripping at SRC can handle web widths up to 330mm, and has semi-rotary die
speeds up to 161 m/min and a 28 micron OPP running at over cutting and a self-wind laminating facility. It re-registers to an eye-mark,
200 m/min. has razor slitting for multi streams, edge trimming, and a waste matrix
Interesting to note, that because the Stork Screen unit is rewind.
driven on both sides, the P5 can run both Rotamesh and As well as production runs, Mark Andy says the SRL can also be used
Rotaplate screens. for proofing on production substrates.
STAMPING
its mark with Newfoil VILA converts its labels off-line
using an AB Graphic Digicon
DUTCH LABEL CONVERTER Vila Etiketten is investing heavily in both digital and conventional production
processes, including the latest Newfoil hot stamping technology. David Pittman reports
In a modern facility in Breda, The Laros says many of its customers have ws6000, a ws6600 and a ws4500 are printing
Netherlands, label printer Vila Etiketten multiple units installed, although Vila and converting labels both for Vila’s own
is building an operation which meshes Etiketten is its biggest customer. customers and from trade business.
the best of conventional and digital The number Vila Etiketten operates ‘We are still in the early stages of the digital
processes to enhance and grow its has dropped from the 20s to 16 as printing evolution, and while inkjet is coming,
operations. it has invested in new systems and we believe HP Indigo is the best for us, and
This includes the first Newfoil Servo technologies over the years. The label the quality is good.’
2500, installed towards the end of printer’s manager Ton Reichardt says ‘Hot foil and digital were previously in
2012, which takes Newfoil Machines’ this number could drop even further competition with each other, but now they’re
established hot foil stamping thanks to the efficiency gains offered being used together to add value to label
technology and upgrades it with by servo motors over stepper motors, work,’ says Reichardt.
servo-driven motors for continuous adding that servo technology was ‘We’re not running everything at full
motion. needed in the hot foil stamping market speed though as speed depends on many
Newfoil Machines has launched a many years ago, but took time to variables, such as pressure and temperature,
series of high-speed hot stamping research and perfect. so it’s about managing these variables to
embossing and converting presses Laros says a key benefit of a achieve the optimum result.
with improved performance. The servo-driven machine is the reduction ‘It also has an effect on our workforce as
Servo 2500 is the smallest of these, in machine downtime and improved an operator could previously run two of
and features a 160 x 160mm fully reliability, with Reichardt adding: ‘It the older generation machines but as they
adjustable printing and cutting die, and offers production at double the speed, have got faster, so they require a dedicated
a 500mm diameter roll capacity with a where the old model is capable of person to monitor each press.’
175mm web width. The servo control producing 9,000 labels an hour. Further investment extends across the
permits up to 18,000 cycles per hour. This follows the upward trajectory of company’s operations, from pre-press to
The standard 2500 model can carry printing presses, which are operating infrastructure. It is currently developing its
out 9,000 cycles per hour. at much faster speeds, so we needed own in-house MIS/ERP system to integrate
Rini Laros, operational manager at this development for hot foil stamping data and workflows from across the
Starfoil, Newfoil’s representative in The to keep pace.’ company’s operations, down to integrating
Netherlands, says it has sold more This has been particularly notable in its ordering and delivery system with DHL
than 150 hot foil stamping systems into digital printing, where increased speed to provide customers with a more rounded
the Benelux region over the years with has been joined by an improvement solution, and had LAN connections installed
most still operating. in quality to match more established during a factory overhaul in 2005 prior to its
This includes a number to Vila printing processes. investment in connected hardware, such as
Etiketten, which has been a long-time Vila Etiketten has invested in a trio its HP Indigo presses.
customer of Newfoil, running its of HP Indigo presses. Housed in a Investment will continue, and Reichardt
equipment since the mid-1990s and climate-controlled room built as part says: ‘We’ll buy a new servo version every
operating more than 20 at one point. of the company’s factory expansion, a year, maybe more, to overhaul our fleet.
LABELS&LABELING
98 | L&L
Labelmakers invests in
materials manufacturing
THE JAC-STICK OPERATION of Dutch-based Labelmakers group is seeking efficiencies by producing its
own label stocks for the retail and logistics markets. Nick Coombes reports
Established in April 2011 with a staff of 18, Jac-Stick is one of six The company has previous experience of Martin Automatic
companies within The Labelmakers Group in The Netherlands, machinery at its Telrol label printing plant, where the company
the others being Telrol and Peha Labels Biolabel, HACCP Label, estimates Martin saves the equivalent of one day per week
and LMG Ribbons. While the others print and convert labels in reduced downtime. ‘We could see the benefit of Martin
using flexo and digital technology, Jac-Stick is the Group’s technology on one of our printing presses, and were convinced
production facility for coated and laminated label stock and high the return on investment at Jac-Stick would be fast – and so it
volume finished labels. is proving,’ adds Hadaoui.
Jac-Stick’s 12,000 square meter plant, which was Asked if Jac-Stick supplied all the substrates for the two
purpose-built on a greenfield site in Almere, close to the Telrol printing plants within the group, Hadaoui comments: ‘They
and Peha Labels facilities, houses two ETI converting lines consume around 40 million square meters a year, which
capable of handling webs up to 572mm (22.5 inches). Each approximates to 80 percent of our capacity at Jac-Stick. It puts
is fitted with two Martin MBSF (‘F’ for Film) automatic unwind/ us in the fortunate position of being able to select the best and
splicers, and a Martin LRD rewinder at the delivery. most economical solution for each job.’ With The Labelmakers
The ETI lines have coating, laminating and siliconizing Group turnover set to top 45 million euros in 2013, of which
capabilities, and in addition are fitted with gravure and flexo Jac-Stick will contribute around 20 percent, there are good
print stations, each capable of laying down two colors. The reasons for the directors to be optimistic.
gravure unit can run water based inks at an impressive 120 m/ As Ton Jacobs concludes: ‘Running a successful business
min, and is also used for the application of special coatings and in today’s market is all about revenue, and that comes from
acrylic adhesives that offer an alternative to hot melt glue. After performance and efficiency. That is why we chose Martin
processing, the web is then die cut and rewound in one pass. Automatic and will continue to work closely with them.’
The decision to specify Martin Automatic technology was
straightforward, according to company director, Ton Jacobs:
‘The processes we undertake here require the quality that only
continuous running can offer, so proven reliability was essential.
Our research revealed that Martin has a track record that is
second to none.’
The ETI lines run mostly self-adhesive blank and printed
labels, including use of thermal substrates, with run lengths
varying from 200,000 to four million running meters per order.
The work produced by Jac-Stick is for the food, retail, and
logistics
markets, plus a number of ‘specials’ that are typically 500,000
meters and upwards – clear evidence of the plant’s need for
continuous operation on a 24/7 basis.
‘Our aim is to offer the maximum number of operations inline
because we are shipping work in massive volumes,’ comments
director Hoessein Hadaoui. He adds: ‘Our annual capacity at
Jac-Stick is around 55 million square meters a year, or about
one million a week, so the savings in time and waste offered by
the Martin equipment is a vital part of our production efficiency.’
Visit our website to learn how we can make colors fly on your
The answer was simple – we don’t. Instead of trying to improve our own shop, we
have launched a completely new one that is driven by the best in the business –
amazon.com. Our books are now sold by us (at www.labelsandlabeling.com/books)
but distributed directly by amazon.com worldwide.
Super Nova
turns to film
WET GLUE SPECIALIST NOVA DENMARK has installed its first in-line press as soft drinks manufacturers
adopt wraparound labels. Andy Thomas reports
Founded as a commercial print operation back in 1904, the Adds Jørgen Jensen, quality and environment manager:
Nova group is today the biggest wet glue label converter in ‘One unexpected problem we came up against is that in
Scandinavia, serving the beer, spirits and soft drinks markets. the flexible packaging industry delivery times are very long
The original company was acquired by the Norwegian Nova compared to wet glue papers, so we have to plan film
Print Group in 1994 and later by the German-based Bagel Group, purchases long before we can see incoming orders. This
a large scale privately held enterprise which owns a group of makes logistics a challenge, particularly as BOPP has a shelf
converters specializing in wet glue labels across Denmark, life of just six months.
Norway, Germany and Finland. ‘White film, for example, is on a four week delivery and two
Although still heavily committed to the wet glue label industry, months for metalized. Buying without definite orders added to
the Nova group has responded to the market trend towards a short shelf life – that is the challenge for our industry! We as
wraparound BOPP labels with the installation of its first in-line converters are adapting to use film but the flexible packaging
press.
‘We were putting this work out to a sub-supplier and two to
three years ago we decided to take it in-house and started
looking at narrow web presses,’ says Torben Flindt, plant
manager.
‘For these relatively small print runs, Nilpeter had the right
machines for the job, and we bought the first FA-6 press in
Denmark.’
Nova Denmark’s wraparound label business has grown rapidly
since then, and today accounts for 20 percent of total production.
‘All soft drinks houses turned to wraparound labels, first in
Denmark and now starting in Norway,’ says Flindt.
www.redchili.ch
all tasks…
Our engineers ideas about clever production-technology? These (out of many) solutions
show it: Our Booklet-Production Unit for Gallus R 160 and R 200 machines glues
and laminates prefabricated Booklets (accurately) onto the simultanously printed web
and die-cuts them at the same time. The Processing-Machine Graficon BM 350 per-
forms, depending on the configuration, the following tasks: Screenprinting,
lamination, varnishing, diecutting and finishing
of preprinted labels or the production of
Booklet-Labels. The high-performance
Sheeting-Machine Graficon BSM Graficon Maschinenbau AG
CH-9301 Wittenbach/SG
340 cuts sheets from reels, in stepless Switzerland
formats or controlled by a scanning Phone +41 71 292 16 16
Fax +41 71 292 16 00
mark, and stacks the sheets as per the www.graficon.ch
customers request. info@graficon.ch
D I G I TA L I N K J E T S Y S T E M
Focus Label Machinery Ltd: Kendryl Park • Chapel Lane • Bingham Nottingham • NG13 8GF • England • Telephone: +44 (0) 1949 836223 • Fax: +44 (0) 1949 836542
E-mail: admin@focuslabel.com • Web: www.focuslabel.com
LABELS&LABELING |103
ELCAM
Matrix and missing
label detection
value chain has not adapted. For them we have to be a sub- delivery of another,
larger order.’
Although digital printing is not on Nova’s roadmap, the FA-6 press could be
retro-fitted with a digital printing unit if the market moves that way.
Erhardt+Leimer GmbH
Albert-Leimer-Platz 1
86391 Stadtbergen, Germany
Telephone +49 (0)821 24 35-627
Telefax +49 (0)821 24 35-100
info@erhardt-leimer.com
www.erhardt-leimer.com
EFFICIENT sheetfed operation at Nova Denmark
JULY 2013 | L&L
www.electro-optic.de
Perfect fit
magenta4.com
Silver Line –
THE all-round flexible die.
Stanztechnik
Chameleonic multifunctional!
Focus on digital
FOCUS MACHINERY has introduced a hybrid conventional/digital press which fits easily into existing flexo
Flexo press specialist Focus Machinery several months of research, site visits and from companies which do not want a
launched at drupa the d-Flex hybrid meetings with a number of well known standard 6-color label press. I see more
flexo/digital printing and converting suppliers,’ says Cotton. ‘We selected and more opportunities here for a hybrid
system using a 4-color UV inkjet module Industrial Inkjet because of the robust flexo/digital press, particularly where you
built and supplied by UK-based Industrial industrial properties of the Konica Minolta are going to be using large volumes of
Inkjet (IIJ). heads and because IIJ had expertise metallic or white ink along with variable
‘We had been aware of the rise of digital, not just in building inkjet modules, but in
but it was hard to see where it would fit software integration as well. Combined
with our typical customer base,’ explains with our expertise in engineering WHAT IS LIFE?
Anthony Cotton, technical sales manager integration it was a perfect match’, What is the service life of a UV inkjet print
at Focus Machinery. head? ‘When a printhead needs replacing
Cotton says the hybrid approach STANDARD WEB WIDTH it is usually because it’s been damaged
– integrating a CMYK inkjet module The d-Flex is available in three standard rather than parts failure,’ says John Corrall.
onto a modular converting base – was web widths of 142mm, 282mm and ‘Damage occurs for a number of reasons.
the best solution. ‘These are small to 352mm. A wide range of configurations If the UV lamps are positioned too close,
medium sized label printers who will not is offered including the number and stray light can cure the ink on the nozzle. Bad
be buying an HP Indigo or Xeikon. They sequence of flexo units and optional chill maintenance can be another problem. You
want to use standard tooling, so where drums. Converting options include cold should be using specific super-soft wipes.
they already have the dies and no plates foil, lamination, sheeter, corona treater, These are readily available but you can’t use
just any wipe. Many feel soft but are rough
are needed, this becomes an excellent web cleaner and anti-static bar.
at a microscopic level and will damage the
solution for doing very small runs, or for Using KM1024i print heads the press
head. Bad inks can also be a problem and can
variable over-printing using the re-register has a native resolution of 360 x 720dpi
take out a head. But generally, when we make
capability. Very important for these and print speed to 80 m/min depending
a service call every six months we are just
printers, our unit is not a dedicated inkjet on selected resolution. ‘This kind of speed checking that the alignments are good. There
press. It is also a standard flexo press with means in-line production makes sense,’ are no parts to wear out. One customer has
all the standard finishing and converting.’ says Cotton. operated for over three years fault free and the
Why was Industrial Inkjet chosen Cotton reports widespread interest in only problem came when he changed inks.’
as Focus’ partner? ‘We went through the d-Flex ‘A lot of our new enquiries are
JULY 2013 | L&L
Jackie Marolda, vice-president and senior consultant at AWA
Alexander Watson Associates, said: ‘While linerless labels remain a
small part of the overall label and product decoration industry, cost
and environmental pressures on prime labeling applications and
growth in hand-held variable information label printers will certainly
drive additional applications.
‘Opportunities exist throughout the value chain for suppliers of
adhesives and facestocks, as well as converters and end users, to
capitalize on this emerging sustainable labeling method.’
LABELS&LABELING |107
"IIJ does a lot of color matching work for HOT OFF THE PRESS
us. We send a file to color calibrate and IIJ A ROUND-UP OF THE LATEST
GLOBAL LABEL STORIES
generates an ICC profile. But the customer
INDIAN FLEXIBLES GIANT
file needs to be accurate for this approach to COMPLETES EXXONMOBIL
work – specific inks on specific materials at a FILMS ACQUISITION
Jindal Poly Films Ltd (JPFL) has completed
particular resolution." the acquisition of ExxonMobil Chemical’s
global BOPP films business for 235 million
US dollars.
imaging. White UV inkjet ink is an option bottles, tubs and tubes, as well as for JPFL signed a framework agreement for
but is three to four times more expensive label printing. A well equipped laboratory the acquisition in October 2012, with the
than flexo inks.’ tests inks from different manufacturers for deal signed on May 3, 2013. The transaction
Is CMYK inkjet proving a limitation? compatibility with the KM inkjet heads. is expected to close by the end of July.
‘No. Our enquires are about how can we One R&D project is looking at direct The deal covers five BOPP production
make money from short runs rather than printing of margarine tubs just before locations in the US and Europe, including
Pantone matching,’ affirms Cotton. filling using multiple UV inkjet print Georgia and Oklahoma in the US, and
‘IIJ does a lot of color matching work stations running at speeds up to 80 m/ in Italy, The Netherlands and Belgium in
Europe. The transaction also includes
for us. We send a file to color calibrate min. ‘The price of these systems is
a technology center and sales office in
and IIJ generates an ICC profile. But coming down and we are getting beyond
Rochester, New York, and an office in
the customer file needs to be accurate the stage where it is just interesting R&D,’
Luxembourg.
for this approach to work – specific says Corrall. ‘And there is more realism
JPFL already operates the world’s single
inks on specific materials at a particular about what people want to achieve. This largest site for production of BOPP and
resolution.’ project already has backing from a major BOPET films at Nasik, India. Its current
Focus and IIJ are continually running equipment manufacturer.’ combined capacity of BOPET and BOPP is
tests on new ink/substrate combinations. A key element of IIJ’s research is 337,000tpa, and its annual sales turnover as
‘With experience we now find ourselves controlling the depth of the ink layer. of March 2012 was 452 million US dollars.
using less ink than when we started,’ ‘Inkjet does not have to feel like screen JPFL is a part of the diversified BC Jindal
says Cotton. - in fact it’s easy to thin the ink out,’ says group, with interests in flexible packaging,
Adds John Corrall, managing director Corrall. ‘A lot depends on the material as photographic products, thermal power
at IIJ: ‘Four-color inkjet is getting better well. The ink whets out on a high energy generation and steel products. The flexible
all the time. Color gamut is increasing surface so the ink film can be thinner. On packaging producer has a network of agents
, and we are not looking at 6-color the other hand, some customers want to and distributors around the world, from
systems yet because that would put exploit the screen-type feel and the gloss Australia to Venezuela.
the price up significantly. We’ve spent of UV inkjet inks.’ The acquisition will make JPFL one of the
a lot of time with substrates and color Corrall sees some interesting leading manufacturers of flexible packaging
matching and can generally get a good applications coming through which films globally, with a combined capacity of
match to most pantones. We measure could be adapted by label converters, approximately 445,000tpa for BOPP films.
the colors and say “we can get this close particularly in security printing. One
- can you live with that delta E?”’. For the application involves reading the AWA IDENTIFIES
majority of PMS colors we can get within information on RFID tags, pulling variable LINERLESS OPPORTUNITIES
a Delta E of 2. data from a database then automatically The market for linerless pressure-sensitive
Color management is built into the printing and verifying. Another is UV labels is set to grow as costs and
Global Inkjet Systems RIP, which also fluorescent inkjet inks, currently being environmental pressures open up new
includes a new multipage PDF variable used for high security applications in applications, according to AWA Alexander
data tool. This allows full speed print of passports, where photographs are Watson Associates.
multi-page colour PDF documents. digitally replicated and verified with a UV In its The Linerless Label Market 2013,
light pen. AWA states that linerless pressure-sensitive
INDUSTRIAL INKJET Certainly, there is no shortage of labels are enjoying a resurgence of
Industrial Inkjet recently moved to a new inspiration walking round IIJ’s R&D interest in a packaging marketplace that is
demo and technical support center in the facility, and it points the way to a very characterized by cost and environmental
midst of ‘silicon fen’, the UK’s center of interesting future for inkjet in the package pressures.
high tech excellence around Cambridge. print sector. The report examines the market segments
IIJ is the sales and technical support where linerless labels are successfully used
center for Konica Minolta inkjet heads and today, and assesses market demand, drivers
builds these into modules in a wide range and emerging trends, as well as issues and
of configurations for OEM integration.
CASE STUDY challenges for converters and users.
The company also acts as a pilot line for One IIJ customer in Sweden, Lundens Eliminating the costs, and the waste and
Tryckeri , is using a hybrid analogue/ recycling issues related to label release liner,
Konica Minolta’s latest head technologies.
digital press in an interesting way – to lay linerless labels demand a different approach
‘This is particularly true in a market like
down a primer with a flexo unit before the to coating, conversion, and application, and
labels, where the challenge is to find what
inkjet module, allowing the company to The Linerless Label Market 2013 provides
that market needs in terms of inkjet heads
print consistently on cheap and otherwise an insight into the current technology
and inks,’ says John Corrall. platform.
unusable media. ‘Their target was to be
Since moving to the new site IIJ has The report also features a review of
economic with runs of less than 10,000
installed experimental inkjet rigs to test labels, but they break even up to 50,000 extant technology and a directory of system
a wide range of applications including now,’ says John Corrall. providers.
direct product decoration for glass
JULY 2013 | L&L
Nickel Printing Machinery Co., Ltd
INNOVATE
NOT COMPLICATE.
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generation high productivity, cost solutions
efficient label and packaging press
info@edale.com
Wausau Coated Products, Inc.
825 77th Avenue South | Wausau, WI USA 54401
www.edale.com Manufactured in the UK Customer Service: +1 715.848.2741
Email: info@wausaucoated.com
www.wausaucoated.com
LABELS&LABELING |109
German converter
establishes China operation
WOELCO CHINA has been operating quietly but with increasing success over the last 10 years, and is today
poised for significant growth. L&L China editor Kevin Liu reports
By what standard should one judge an company that you seldom find covered electronics. Among other accolades, it
enterprise successful? By its industry in print media or the internet. However, has been honored with a World Label
position? Or business scale? Profitability as soon as we entered the Woelco Association award and received Preferred
or growth rate? Innovation capability Changzhou factory, we found ourselves Supplier Status from the Bosch Group.
or brand influence? Or all the above- in a new world entirely. We were Woelco’s global strategy can be
mentioned? For many years Labels & firstly impressed by the rigorous and summed up by the simple but effective
Labeling journalists have been visiting practical German attitude to work. At '3x3' formula. This means to aim
large and small label printing companies the same time, although an exclusively at three markets – the automobile,
in China in order to dig out their success foreign-owned company, it has adapted communications and electronics;
stories and their core values. powerfully to the Chinese market. to target three end user business
At present, there are more than 6,000 This is not a huge plant, with around departments – technical, systems
label printing companies in China, of 30 employees and annual turnover of development and labeling; and from
which large-scale ones – with an annual approximately RMB 20m yuan, But it has three global production bases – the
turnover exceeding RMB 20m yuan powerful technical innovation capabilities, Ehningen plant in Germany, Mooresville
(3.22m US dollars) – account for less which are reflected in its comprehensive in the United States and the Changzhou
than 20 percent, with small and medium product lines. plant in China.
companies making up the rest. For The company focuses mainly on The move to China was guided both by
the future, enterprise integration and high-tech labels in the electronics, the trend of end user globalization and
restructuring will certainly accelerate. communication and automobile industries, to develop the potential of the Chinese
The rapid 10 year growth of Changzhou but can also provide a total solution from market, Woelco first established an office
Woelco Technology (hereinafter called the processing of label products to R&D in March 2003 in Shanghai, as a means
‘Woelco Changzhou’), a wholly-owned and production of complete labeling and of making contacts and understanding
subsidiary of German-based Woelco AG, identification systems. the Chinese market. When the time
provides a valuable lesson from which was ripe, it established Changzhou
those growing Chinese companies can MAKING CHINA HOME Woelco Technology Co., Ltd in 2006 in
readily learn. Woelco AG was established in 1962 the Wujin Jintong High-tech Industrial
L&L China recently visited the plant and in Ehningen, Germany. The company Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province,
interviewed general manager Jochen specializes in providing label and approximately 200km from Shanghai.
Schleiss and sales manager Eric Yang. system solutions for industries including From here the business could cover the
From the outside, this is a low profile automobile, communications and whole Yangtze River Delta region and
JULY 2013 | L&L
110 | L&L
LABELING SYSTEMS
Through cooperation with suppliers such
as Zebra Technologies and SATO, Woelco
has developed a complete automatic label
ID-system, the products including thermal
THE WAREHOUSE under the IMS management system
transfer printers, cleaning kits, thermal
transfer ribbons, barcode scanners and Label
conveniently extend from there across Woelco Changzhou is Gallus letterpress, Gallery label design software. Participating
the whole country. one digital proofing press and rewinding in the customer’s logistics and inventory
The rigorous and quality-targeted machines. Customized products include management brings more opportunities to
characteristics of German enterprise are special die-cut labels, anti-counterfeit sell these services.
evident in the location and construction labels and logistics labels. Moreover, Woelco sells its own proprietary
of the new plant. The work environment, brands of labeling technology. From R&D
the organization of the workshop and TRAINING FOCUS and production of manual labelers to fully
the management system all reflect top Most of the employees in Woelco automatic assembly-line systems, the
international standards. Soon after the Changzhou have a college degree company is able to manufacture various
establishment of Woelco Changzhou, or above; after joining, the company contact or non-contact types of labeling
it achieved the automobile industry’s encourages them to study further systems. For example, they can produce label
TS16949 quality control certificate and through industry seminars and applicators for special shaped glass, plastic
ISO 14001 environmental management exhibitions. The GM of Woelco and other cylindrical products. Woelco can
certification. Changzhou, Jochen Schleiss, also provide customized labeling systems.
Quality management is key to comments: ‘We have years of experience
Woelco Changzhou’s performance. An and a continuous record of innovation competitions inside the company to
Integrated Management System (IMS), in this industry. With the Chinese plant improve working skills, with employees
tracks continuous improvement metrics established, we are committed to encouraged to participate in trouble-
with the goal of increasing internal localizing the application of Germany shooting and decision making. The staff
and external customer satisfaction and technology. We will undertake internal incentive program includes supplying
improvement of all processes. and external training for our employees safe and modern working conditions for
Additional management tools are in order to constantly improve their employees.
already in place or being implemented expertise and operating skills.’ Some A combination of advanced
which cover such issues as workplace key staff are sent to the German manufacturing skills from Germany,
safety, risk management and headquarters for further training. scientific management concepts and the
environmental management. ‘In this way, we have gradually fostered professional talent training and selection
By virtue of these strict quality a team of highly qualified, practical system have allowed Woelco Changzhou
standards and continuous innovation, professional talents,’ says Schleiss. to integrate rapidly into the Chinese
Woelco Changzhou has grown rapidly ‘We believe it is very worthwhile to market in the past 10 years.
in the Chinese market, with a customer invest in employees and that they feed According to Eric Yang, Woelco
list including Bosch, Siemens, Nokia, back to us not only improvement of the Changzhou has already made its
HP, Benz and Benq. Recently, Woelco company’s technologies and R&D ability, mark in China and established itself
established an office in China’s largest but also spread positive energy among as a leading supplier of labels in the
automobile manufacturing base in employees via their understanding of domestic communication, electronics
Changchun, Jilin Province, in order to our company culture. This will boost, as and automobile industries. Now, the
provide better service to this targeted the next step, communications with our company is planning to purchase new
market. employees all over the world.’ printing equipment in order to broaden its
The main equipment operated by Woelco Changzhou frequently holds production possibilities.
LABELS&LABELING
DigiFlex.
www.digiflex-print.com
info@digiflex-print.com
+32-497-424-850
+972-9-768-2670
‘Future Proof’
Intercoat is a leading German manufacturer of self-adhesive
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We require an experienced Sales Executive to develop our
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ONE of the three Xeikon presses at CS Labels. The latest addition is a Xeikon 3500
CS Labels takes
digital lead
NOW EUROPE'S BIGGEST XEIKON DIGITAL PRINT HOUSE with the installation of a new Xeikon 3500, CS
Labels is intent on pushing the benefits and boundaries of digital printing. Andy Thomas reports
CS Labels has become the biggest single user of Xeikon A sizeable grant from the Government’s Regional Growth
digital presses in Europe following the installation of its third Fund aided the purchase of the latest press. ‘It is vital to monitor
Xeikon press, a wide format Xeikon 3500. The arrival of the new the availability of such grant options,’ says CS Labels managing
press was timed to coincide with the West Midlands business director Simon Smith. ‘The availability of this funding was an
expanding into an adjacent unit at its Willenhall Trading Estate important factor in our purchase decision, particularly with the
location. additional cash required to re-fit the new building. It ensures
The new extension to the CS Labels business allows the that our cash flow continues to remain positive and we don't
company to double its office space, add a board room, and overstretch ourselves in any one direction.’
expand studio facilities, as well as providing a dedicated facility
for its new Xeikon wide-format label press, and a temperature ALL DIGITAL PRODUCTION
controlled paper store for all its digital machines. Whilst two screen process presses are still in use, all
The installation of the 516mm wide Xeikon 3500 represents flexographic printing has now ceased at the business, some
a fifth machine purchase by CS Labels from Xeikon in just five five years on from the original Xeikon digital installation. Digital
years, with two of the early presses traded back during previous printing of labels now makes up some 90 percent of the
upgrade cycles. The new Xeikon 3500 machine provides an throughput.
additional 50 percent printing capacity at the company. Has moving to all digital caused any problems for the
JULY 2013 | L&L
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LABELS&LABELING |117
Avery Dennison forecasts ‘low double customers are often among the first to adopt includes new distribution
digit’ sales growth for the company in Latin our new products,’ citing particular interest centers in Recife in northern
America this year, according to president and from the region in the company’s Global MDO Brazil and Lima, Peru. Capacity
CEO Dean Scarborough – significantly higher film range. at the manufacturing facility in
than the two to four percent growth forecast Interest in Global MDO – described by Vinhedo, Brazil, was increased
the company expects globally. Nolan as ‘substantially thinner than other last year. He said Avery
Scarborough said the company has also products on the market’ – also reflects Dennison has invested more
seen low double digit sales growth in the an increasing interest in environmental than 50 million dollars in the
Andean region in the first quarter of 2013, sustainability in the region. Another recent region in the last 15 years.
compared to the same period last year. material launch, MultiCycle, which allows In Argentina, meanwhile –
According to Don Nolan, global president the label to remain on a bottle for up to 30 currently beset by currency
of Avery Dennison’s materials division, the washes, is also garnering interest from Latin controls, import restrictions and
company is growing faster in Latin America American converters, where returnable glass high inflation – the company
than in other emerging markets, and has bottles are commonplace. According to is benefitting from a local
invested some 50 million dollars in local Ronaldo Mello, 65 percent of beer bottles in manufacturing presence not
infrastructure in the past 15 years. Brazil are returnable. shared by its competitors.
Dean Scarborough and Don Nolan were New laws say companies
speaking at a press briefing before a dinner GROWTH AND INVESTMENT can only import goods into
in Sao Paulo with around 60 of its label Scarborough, Nolan and Mello identified the country if they are also
converter customers. Among the attendees Peru and Colombia as the two fastest- exporting an equivalent volume.
were representatives from leading Brazilian growing markets in the region. They also Avery’s factory in San Luis,
converters Alphacolor, Baumgarten, Grif, enthused about the more mature markets near the wine-growing region
Mack Color and Prakolar. of Chile – whose highly developed export of Mendoza, is able to supply
The event in Brazil was part of a tour of market is dominated by self-adhesive – and local converters with most of the
customers in the region which also saw the Brazil, where they see great potential in materials from the company’s
pair visit Chile and Colombia, accompanied the beverage sector as brands move from portfolio. Exports from Argentina
by Ronaldo Mello, Avery Dennison’s vice wet-glue to self-adhesive. to Chile and Brazil have been
president for South America. Nolan cited the example of mineral water, increased in order to offset the
‘Latin America is an important region for which has not yet seen wide adoption of importing of those materials
Avery Dennison, both for our materials and pressure sensitive materials in Brazil, unlike which would otherwise not be
RBIS divisions,’ affirmed Dean Scarborough. in other parts of the world. ‘As sales of locally available to Argentine
‘We are seeing top line sales growth in the premium brands increase,’ he said, ‘so does converters.
region. the likelihood of their using pressure sensitive
‘Latin America is becoming an important materials.’
source of apparel for the United States, which According to Ronaldo Mello, projects are
benefits our RBIS division. In the material already underway with various beverage
sector, we are particularly strong in the brands in Brazil, including manufacturers of
household goods, food and beverage, wine, local spirit cachaça.
and personal care sectors.’ Don Nolan emphasized the company’s
Don Nolan added: ‘Latin American recent investment in the region, which
L-R: Dean Scarborough, president and CEO; Don Nolan, global president of the MULTICYCLE, which allows the label to remain on a bottle for
materials division; and Ronaldo Mello, vice president for South America up to 30 washes, is garnering interest from Latin America,
where returnable glass bottles are commonplace
Zeller+Gmelin GmbH & Co. KG
Germany
High Quality
www.zeller-gmelin.de
UV Printing Ink for
Zeller+Gmelin UK Ltd.
Great Britain
www.zeller-gmelin.co.uk
Labels and Packaging
• food packaging
• flexible packaging
• folding carton
• selfadhesive labels
• shrink sleeve labels
• in-mould-labels
P r i n t i n g I n k s
LABELS&LABELING |119
LABELS&LABELING |119
Acoban, the Mexican Association of significant savings within their operations,’ – this year’s Acoban Tour, held in April,
Narrow Web Converters, announced he said. ‘And we want to continue to hosted 240 second-semester students.
its new board of directors at a recent support graphic arts students by adding to ‘We want to give the students the
networking event which brought 20 the scholarships we already award every opportunity to fall in love with graphic
supplier and converter members semester, and by strengthening the Acoban arts and have a closer connection with
together in Monterrey. Tour for second-semester students.’ flexography,’ said Acoban’s administrative
Jose Alfonso Rubio, owner of Involvement in education has been coordinator Monica Martinez. ‘Visiting the
Materiales y Etiquetas Millenium, was a pillar of Acoban’s activities since its converters allows them to see how these
named as the Acoban’s new president. foundation. The association began a fund companies operate, to see the process in
He paid tribute to his predecessor, last year which currently grants 26 annual action, and to see the final product before
Edgar Martinez, a partner at Grupo scholarships ranging from 50 to 90 percent it is sent to the client. The students can
Etimex, for his successful two-year to aid promising students who are unable to also do internships with the converters as
tenure at the head of the association. pay for their studies. part of their fifth semester.
Gerardo Gonzalez, owner of Etiprint, The students supported by Acoban ‘We are very grateful to Acoban
was appointed vice-president. Agustin attend the Conalep technical school in members for opening their doors to
Garza, director of WS Packaging Monterrey, the only of its kind in Nuevo the students – sometimes even offering
Mexico, takes the role of secretary of León. The association launched the Acoban them employment opportunities. It has
the association; Heriberto Sanchez, Tour last year, allowing second-semester been tremendously beneficial to both the
owner of Etifilms, has been named students – who have recently begun to converter and supplier members and the
treasurer. study flexography – to spend a week visiting students themselves.’
The event in Monterrey allowed Acoban’s label converter members. In cooperation with Conalep, the
converter and supplier members The aim of the tour is to foster an interest association also runs a graphic arts
to meet in one-on-one sessions of in the label sector among the future workshop at the school, which this year
15 minutes, so as to encourage generations of graphic arts professionals. is being attended by 460 students across
connections and promote new The initiative has been a great success three semesters.
products. Industry suppliers and
Acoban members Esko, Grafica
Novaro, Natural Ink and Proveedora
Flexografica were in attendance.
‘The aim for the next two years is
to increase the number of members
and to provide them with market
information through surveys carried
out in cooperation with the Chamber
of Manufacturing Industry of Nuevo
León [the Mexican state whose capital
is Monterrey],’ Jose Alfonso Rubio told
L&L.
According to Rubio, Acoban will
also seek to collaborate with North
American label association TLMI L-R: Agustin Garza of WS Packaging Mexico, Jose Alfonso
Rubio of Materiales y Etiquetas Millenium and Gerardo
during his term as president. Gonzalez of Etiprint are Acoban’s new secretary, president
‘We want to offer services which and vice-president respectively. The final board member, L-R: New Acoban president Jose Alfonso Rubio praised his
will allow our members to generate not pictured, is treasurer Heriberto Sanchez of Etifilms predecessor Edgar Martinez for his successful two-year tenure
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