Labels Vol39 Issue6 2017

MARKET FOCUS:
PET FOOD
Label and packaging trends in the dynamic
pet food market THE WORLD OF PACKAGE PRINTING
FOILING AND
EMBOSSING
How foils, laminates
and holographics
can create stunning
visual identities
FLEXPACK
MOVES
Reports from converters
diversifying into
flexible packaging
production
THE GREEN
RUSH
Labels and packaging for
legal cannabis is a
fast-growing US industry
VOLUME 39 | ISSUE # 6 | DEC – JAN 2018 LABELSANDLABELING.COM

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8 | Team
L&L Editorial
James Quirk, Group managing editor
Andy Thomas, Strategic director
– Meet the team

Mike Fairley, Strategic consultant
David Pittman, Deputy editor
Chelsea McDougall, North America editor
Aakriti Agarwal, India editor
Yolanda Wang, China editor
Kevin Liu, China project director
Labels & Labeling is the leading global information source for the label and Gill Loubser, Africa correspondent
Henry Mendelson, Oceania correspondent
package print converting industries with an editorial team located in the UK, Keren Becerra, Latin America correspondent
North America, Latin America, China, India, Africa and Australasia Danielle Jerschefske, Sustainability columnist
Bob Cronin, M&A columnist
Barry Hunt, Editorial consultant
Nick Coombes, Editorial consultant
T: +44 (0)20 8846 2835
E: editorial@labelsandlabeling.com
Advertising
Randy Kessler, Vice president of advertising sales
Richard Quirk, Advertising manager – EMEA and online
Joerg Singer, Account executive – Europe
Tina Wang, Account executive – China
Daniel Zhao, Account executive – China
Pradeep Saroha, Account executive – India
T: +44 (0)20 8846 2818
E: advertising@labelsandlabeling.com
Design
James Quirk Andy Thomas Mike Fairley Tim Gordon Ben Walton, Designer
Adam Evans, Designer
Group managing editor Strategic director Strategic consultant Publishing director Laura Burns, Designer
Simon Taljaard, Designer
T: +44 (0)20 8846 2841

E: design@labelsandlabeling.com
Production
James Wenman, Design & production manager
Jamie Whittington, Production executive
T: +44 (0)20 8846 2833
E: production@labelsandlabeling.com
Marketing
Michael Hatton, Marketing director
Paul Connelly, Senior marketing manager
Hannah Whitnall, Marketing executive
David Pittman Chelsea McDougall Aakriti Agarwal Kevin Liu T: +44 (0)20 8846 2727
Deputy editor North America editor India editor China project director E: marketing@labelsandlabeling.com
Management
Lisa Milburn, Managing director
Tim Gordon, Publishing director
T: +44 (0)20 8846 2818
Publishers
Tarsus Exhibitions and Publishing Ltd, Metro Building,
1 Butterwick, London, W6 8DL, United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)20 8846 2700 | F: +44 (0)20 8846 2801
Other offices
Tarsus Expositions Inc,175 N Patrick Blvd,
Suite 180, Brookfield, WI 53045, United States
T: +1 262 782 1900 | F: +1 262 782 8474
Tarsus Exhibitions & Publishing Ltd. Room G, 29th Floor,
Yolanda Wang Keren Becerra Gill Loubser Henry Mendelson
SIIC, 18 North Caoxi Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai,
China editor Latin America Africa correspondent Oceania correspondent 200030, China
correspondent T: +86-21-64686801 | F: +86-21-64279169
Tarsus Exhibitions & Publishing Ltd. O4U Centre, 649,
Office M-03, Phase-5, Udyog Vihar, Gurgaon, Haryana,
122001, India
T: +911244234434
Subscriptions
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ISSN: 1478-7520
Printed by
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US mailing
Labels & Labeling (USPS No: 002-914) is published
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distributed in the US by SPP, 95 Aberdeen Road, Emigsville
Danielle Jerschefske Bob Cronin Nick Coombes Barry Hunt
PA 17318. Periodicals postage paid at Emigsville, PA.
Sustainability M&A Columnist Editorial consultant Editorial consultant Postmaster: Send address changes to Labels & Labeling,
columnist 3175 N. Patrick Blvd. Suite 180, Brookfield, WI 53045
labelsandlabeling.com
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10 | Contents
Contents
22 27 30
34 41 45
Regulars Trends Features

11 Editor’s welcome 37 TLMI hosts events 34 The green rush
North American association TLMI hosted a Labels and packaging for legal cannabis is a
12 News printTHINK Summit and its annual meeting fast-growing industry in North America
in September and October respectively
17 New products 41 MPS opens North American
59 ‘Personalized’ packaging demo center
21 Installations showcased at brand museum MPS partners with Green Bay Packaging to
22 Label & Packaging Showcase Andy Thomas reports from a new exhibition open a new demo center
series at London’s Museum of Brands,
25 Young Managers Packaging & Advertising 42 Xeikon Café debuts in
North America
27 M&A 73 Sustainable labels in Africa Xeikon had its first Café event in North
Woolworths, Avery Dennison and Rotolabel America as the company looks to increase
30 Q&A: Shi Jianping have put the FSC seal of approval on labeling its presence in the region
materials
89 Label Trends 52 Innovation at Limo Labels
79 Satisfying the pet food market The Danish converter is pursuing growth after
96 Label Society The pet food market, and the application a period of consolidation
of labels and packaging, is fast-moving and
dynamic 55 Loc España focuses
on diversification
Spanish converter Loc España has installed a
Bobst M4 flexo press as its looks to further
diversify its business into flexible packaging
Online Contents | 11
Online Contents
labels&labeling.com
The Labels & Labeling website presents daily
news and exclusive content generated by its
international editorial team and addressing the
most pertinent developments in the label and
package printing industry
59 79
Industrial labeling innovation

(white paper)
Plastics introduce new challenges for industrial
manufacturers – particularly with labeling
75 81
Coveris introduces Recoveris (video)

Coveris marks 10-year anniversary of Lincolnshire,
Technology UK, environmental services facility
63 Manjushree diversifies 45 HP Indigo introduces one-pass

to flexible packaging embellishment
One of India’s largest rigid packaging HP Indigo’s GEM single pass embellishment
manufacturers has diversified into shrink system opens a world of new design
film manufacturing possibilities
67 Fujifilm Sericol sees growth 49 Heidelberg boosts IML

in India efficiency with rotary die-cutter
Fujifilm Sericol India is focused on A new configuration for Heidelberg’s IML The challenge of packaging coffee
increasing its market share in UV flexo inks rotary die-cutter (opinion)
Constantia Flexibles CEO Alexander Baumgartner
69 Avery Dennison opens new 81 The history of anilox volume outlines requirements for packaging coffee
center in Pune measurement
The Innovation and Knowledge Center Anilox volume is one of the main reasons
caters to training and product development for density variation on press during set-up,
writes Phil Hall of Troika Systems
71 HP Indigo opens demo center
in Jakarta 86 Hot stamping, foiling
The new site is hosted by HP Indigo’s local and embossing
channel partner in Indonesia Dr Glenn Wood of Fresnels considers the
latest in high impact nanotechnology
75 Australian converter celebrates foils while API’s Richard Burhouse outlines Reconfiguring for flexible packaging
20th anniversary how foils, laminates, and holographics can (news)
Label Power is the country’s foremost provide the wow-factor that gives labels Saudi Arabian printer modifies web offset printing
‘hybrid’ label converter an edge press to suit flexible packaging
January 2018
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Editor’s Welcome | 13
Thirty years ago (L&L issue 6, 1987)
P.12 The UK’s Improved Marking P.16 Modern origination P.30 Mike Fairley reported on P.42 Harkwell Adhesive
and Label (IML) was investing methods helped Danish New Era Packaging’s investment Labels invested more than
in new materials, laminate company Flexiket’s growth, in a Ko-Pack FormLabel 250,000 GBP in the first
constructions and production with turnover doubling in three press, and advances in color Digilabel System in the
technology to meet new and years and sales growth recorded computer label production, UK. The system, developed
changing end user label demands at an annual rate of 30-35 which were providing the by Belgium’s Digitized
– and the requirement for more percent. Investments included self-adhesive label printer with Information Systems
and more label information to the upgrade of a three-year-old rapid growth opportunities. Corporation, computerized
be generated by computer. IML Purup electronic pre-press The FormLabel press was part the design, typesetting and
operated a special facility to hot system, and a photopolymer of a major expansion program, origination of labels through
melt laminate paper to steel or plate system to increase flexo which included a 10,000 sq the use of specially developed
plastic to produce paper-faced run lengths. ft (930sqm) extension to the computer software.
special constructions. company’s plant in Ireland.
Twitter Can do: the return of growth

chatter to the sheet-fed offset label market?
Follow us
@LabelsNLabeling Editor’s note
C
@EFIA2: Take a look at the ould we see the return of to bigger premises and doubling digital? Presstek has already
#label and #package #printing growth to the sheet-fed its Heidelberg press capacity. demonstrated, at drupa, plastics
industry predictions for 2018... offset label market in This reflects buoyant demand, cut&stack water-bottle labels
http://ow.ly/HgVI30gPFU7 the developed world? Although particularly from the craft beer printed on its Eco DI presses by
reduced to 18 percent of the sector. a US converter.
@Ti_Films: With 2017 coming US market and one third of the The wet-glue labeled It’s not just wet-glue labels
to a close, we’ve shared our European market, and faced can, whether aluminum or reviving the sheet-fed market.
predictions for the industry with the rise of shrink sleeves stainless steel, might after all In this edition is a report from
in 2018 http://ow.ly/ and filmic PS labels, there are be the ultimate in environ- Heidelberg talking about growth
mLF130gvFBB signs that the humble wet-glue mentally friendly packaging: in IML labels.
label might see its fortunes easily recoverable and taking Of course, the plastics
@AveryDennison: In 1975, revived. How so? advantage of the ‘natural’ appeal industry is fighting back with
Avery Dennison constructed an We are in the midst of what of simpler forms of packaging. ocean plastics recovery schemes
entirely solvent-free plant at looks like a war on plastics The PS and shrink sleeve while stressing the life-cycle,
Peachtree City, #Georgia #TBT driven by increasingly frenzied label converter can also play convenience and performance
publicity over waste plastics in this market. There are new benefits of plastics compared to
@PrintMediaCentr: How 1970s clogging up the oceans, as self-adhesive can labeling heavier cans. The anti-plastics
brands influenced a generation viewers of the BBC’s superb Blue systems being developed, hype will surely die down in
through print packaging http:// Planet season will know. Even and roll-on-shrink-on and full time, but meanwhile, wet-glue
bit.ly/2wmaa3H former CEO of Asda/Walmart, body shrink labels might play label printers have a unique
Andy Clarke, is openly calling well in reducing the costs of window of opportunity.
@printscotland: Our recent for supermarkets to stop using stock obsolescence from direct
article about the provision of plastics packaging. printed cans.
more modern apprenticeships More straws in the wind: L&L. Offset is very good at
to revive the printing industry com recently ran a story about short runs – Cerm recently
can be found at http://bit. a wet-glue label converter in the revealed a partnership to
ly/2hDDjAR UK, Print-Leeds (located very automate ganging labels on James Quirk
close to the Asda HQ), moving sheet-fed presses. And what of Group Managing Editor
January 2018
14 | Regulars / News
News
Rolf Beck was a pioneer in the

development of magnetic die technology
Xeikon will service, support and
supply EFI Jetrion presses worldwide Kocher+Beck founder
Rolf Beck passes away
Xeikon takes over EFI Jetrion press portfolio
Labels & Labeling is sad to report the passing of Rolf
EFI exits label printing market to focus on textiles and corrugated packaging Beck, one of the founders of Kocher+Beck. He passed
away on November 10, 2017 after a short illness.
EFI and Xeikon, a division of Flint Group, This will see EFI move away from the Kocher+Beck was founded in 1965 in Stuttgart,
have entered into an exclusive partnership label market and equipment sales as the Germany by Erich Kocher and Rolf Beck, and
for the EFI Jetrion UV inkjet press portfolio, company makes a strategic move to focus today employees more than 600 people at its four
with Xeikon now to service, support and on higher growth opportunities. In an locations worldwide. In the early 1980s, Rolf Beck
supply EFI Jetrion presses worldwide. earnings call, available as a transcription was a pioneer in the development of magnetic die
Under the partnership, Xeikon will via Seeking Alpha, Gecht stated that, in technology, helping to revolutionize the entire label
service, support and supply the worldwide comparison to some other inkjet markets printing industry.
Jetrion customer base, and continue the EFI is targeting such as textile and In a statement mourning his passing,
direct sales of Jetrion digital label printing packaging, the label market is smaller and Kocher+Beck stated: ‘Rolf Beck was a highly
systems as part of the Xeikon portfolio of a more competitive, crowded landscape as respected and inspiring individual, with a great
digital dry toner and UV inkjet presses for it is ‘the easiest technical application for appreciation and respect for business associates and
the self-adhesive label market. inkjet’. Digital corrugated printing is one employees, with his dedication and inventiveness,
‘EFI Jetrion printing systems have helped market where EFI sees opportunities, with he has always been a positive role model. For his
to establish the market for industrial digital its Nozomi single-pass LED inkjet press for employees he always had an open ear, and was an
inkjet label production, and the numerous high-speed corrugated board production excellent mentor and paternal advisor. As a person
innovations developed for high-resolution gaining traction. and personality, he left a lasting impression on
Jetrion technology – including high-end, Benoit Chatelard, president and everyone and we are truly indebted to him. All who
production-class LED imaging, superior CEO, Digital Solutions, Flint Group, knew him mourn for a humorous and charming man
opaque white ink and true all-in-one stated: ‘Xeikon is the perfect partner who will remain unforgettable.
integrated print, varnish, cut and slit to market, service and support the EFI ‘Through his tireless personal commitment, great
systems – have given EFI Jetrion the largest Jetrion product line. Xeikon is a tech- vision and determination, he led the development
installed base of UV inkjet label presses nology-agnostic solutions provider with of our company. His visions and inspirations
in the world,’ said Guy Gecht, EFI CEO. almost 30 years of experience in digital are present everywhere to this day. We, the
‘As we expand our portfolio of industrial printing. With over 500 digital label management and employees of Kocher+Beck,
inkjet products, we prioritized our go to presses installed worldwide, we are an will honor his memory.’
market investment and resources. It was acknowledged leader in the self-adhesive
a clear choice for us to pick Xeikon, one label market. Xeikon has the broadest
of the undisputed leaders in digital label digital label printing offering in the Toyo makes investment in Turkey
printing, as the ideal partner to continue a market, including workflow, presses, Toyo Printing Inks has purchased a 62,000sqm
trustworthy sales and service operation for embellishment modules and converting plot of land for the future expansion of its
the Jetrion product line.’ equipment, and a worldwide service and operations in the Manisa Province in western
EFI has detailed plans to exit the label support network that is unparalleled in Turkey. Toyo Printing Inks plans to use the land to
printing market as it concentrates on the label market. All our customers are build a new manufacturing facility to upgrade and
areas with higher growth opportunities. fully trained, serviced and supported expand existing R&D and production facilities, and
EFI CEO Guy Gecht said: ‘To reaccelerate through direct, first-line contact with to construct a new production site for polymers.
growth, we are reallocating budget and Xeikon engineers, and this will be no The new plot is located in the Manisa Industrial
talent toward our largest opportunities, in different for the Jetrion customers.’ Zone, the same industrial park that is currently
textile and packaging, along with making home to Toyo Printing Inks. Construction of the
organizational changes and adding senior Join the discussion on LinkedIn new polymer plant is expected to begin in 2018
positions to improve focus and execution.’ at the ‘Labels & Labeling’ group and be completed by late 2019.
Regulars / News | 15
Montserrat Peidro-Insa, head of the digital business area at Heidelberg, presented

Primefire 106 to attendees at the open house at MPS-Westrock in Obersulm Klöckner Pentaplast
opens innovation center
First Heidelberg Primefire 106 user hosts open house kp i.center located in Sant Cugat,
Heidelberg considers capacity increase due to strong interest near Barcelona
The first user of the Heidelberg Primefire ‘For a long time, digital printing presses Klöckner Pentaplast has opened an innovation
106, MPS-WestRock, has hosted an open were not able to meet our customers’ high center in Spain. The 1,200sqm kp i.center
house in Germany to demonstrate the standards for quality and color fidelity. provides a collaborative space intended to
inkjet printing system, with the printing The Heidelberg Primefire 106 meets these help global food and consumer products (FCP)
equipment manufacturer considering requirements.’ customers bring products to market more
increasing production capacity to meet Heidelberg identifies packaging printing quickly and economically. It is located in Sant
strong demand. as the strongest growing segment in the Cugat, close to Barcelona.
More than 70 customers from 40 print media industry. Annual worldwide It combines a dedicated area resourced
packaging manufacturers from all over growth rates of three percent are expected with marketing, sales and R&D experts,
Europe attended the event in Obersulm, over the next five years, increasing to up to together with laboratory, prototyping facilities,
jointly organized with Heidelberg at the 20 percent for digital packaging printing. a supermarket and an FCP market research
beginning of November. Heidelberg introduced Primefire center. Klöckner Pentaplast has integrated
MPS-WestRock produces high-end 106 last year and has reported strong industrial and technical capabilities, which it
packaging for consumer goods products interest in the system. Production at said deliver a full experience ‘from concept to
in the luxury segment. Part of the global the company’s Wiesloch-Walldorf site production of a packing solution’. The center
WestRock packaging group based in Atlanta, is already at capacity until mid-2019. is aimed at supporting commercial, technical
US, it is the first commercial user of the Heidelberg is currently considering and operational leaders to immerse themselves
Primefire 106. whether to expand capacity in order to in idea sharing leading to the discovery of
MPS-WestRock managing director Steffen meet the strong demand. innovative packaging options.
Schnizer said: ‘Our customers are extremely The second machine will be going to Daniel Dayan, president of FCP at Klöckner
demanding. It is therefore important for us another customer in Germany this year, Pentaplast, said: ‘Our kp i.center stands for
to use the most suitable machines for the while the third will be going to a customer interaction, ideas and innovation.’
specifications of the job. abroad at the beginning of next year.
Web offset press reconfigured for flexible packaging

DG press ServiceS and Abaker Printing The Vision press was originally
Company of Saudi Arabia have modified a manufactured for the production of
Vision web offset printing press, currently business forms.
used for commercial printing, to suit Utilizing the press’ modular design,
flexible packaging. web tension and flexo modules are to be
The decision has been made based integrated allowing it to be modified for
on the rapidly changing market of the the production of flexible packaging.
printing industry in which the demand As a result, the reconfigured press will
for packaging, particularly flexibles, combine flexo and offset printing for
is increasing, according to DG press converting flexible substrates. Saudi printer to reconfigure
ServiceS. Vision press for flexible packaging
January 2018
16 | Regulars / News
News
The Label Academy has extended its series
Label Academy publishes new textbooks

Talkin’ Things to integrate FlexICs from
PragmatIC to ‘make trillions of products smart’ ‘Shrink Sleeve Technology’ and ‘Label Markets and
Applications’ added to series
PragmatIC and Talkin’ Things partner The Label Academy has extended its series with the publication
for smart packaging of two new reference books, ‘Shrink Sleeve Technology’ and ‘Label
Markets and Applications’.
PragmatIC and Talkin’ Things have formed a strategic partnership to ‘Shrink Sleeve Technology’ is an introduction to shrink sleeve
drive mass market adoption of smart packaging, centered on flexible labels and gives information to help troubleshoot problems,
integrated circuits. improve quality, prevent errors and correct faults. Technological
Talkin’ Things is a global smart packaging provider that works with advances have vastly expanded the market for shrink sleeve
brands and packaging companies to integrate innovative technologies labels and the book aims to guide readers through the film,
that enable them to engage directly with their consumers through pre-press, ink, printing and application processing stages.
original, personalized marketing campaigns, and measure return on The book was compiled by Mike Fairley, founder of the Label
investment using a suite of tools. Academy and Séamus Lafferty, Accraply president.
The new partnership will see it embed PragmatIC’s FlexIC flexible ‘Label Markets and Applications’ explores material
integrated circuits into packaging at a cost claimed as ‘significantly specifications, print and finishing requirements, and key global
lower’ than comparable silicon-based options. This, Talkin’ Things and national regulations for the consumer and industrial markets
has predicted, will open up new mass market segments previously as it examines each of the main end-user sectors. Outlining
inaccessible. It added that as PragmatIC’s new RFID/NFC FlexICs are the primary factors needed to produce quality labels that are
thinner than a human hair and flexible, they will be imperceptible compliant, marketable and cost-effective, the book helps printers
even in flexible packaging. As a result, it is expected that this will bring navigate modern label production, with chapters dedicated to
consumer engagement and brand protection capabilities to trillions the major global label markets: food, beverages, cosmetics, phar-
of products. maceuticals, non-food retail and industrial. ‘Label Markets and
Applications’ was authored by John Penhallow.
The Label Academy is the global training resource for the
Wet-glue specialist doubles capacity label and package printing industry and is supported by Finat,
Wet-glue specialist converter have already moved and the the TLMI, LMAI and BPIF. The Academy combines educational
Print-Leeds has moved premises company’s current Heidelberg textbooks with access to free articles and videos. The Label
in the first part of an ambitious 7-color litho press is due to be Academy is sponsored by Cerm, Flint Group, Gallus, MPS, Taghleef
five million GBP (6.6 million USD) dismantled and moved during the Industries and UPM Raflatac. The Academy’s books are retailed by
investment plan which will double Christmas break. Amazon and available directly at www.label-academy.com.
its production capability. The company has ordered a
The company entered the new Heidelberg XL106 7-color
wet-glue label market when it with coater which will be
acquired S&C Labels five years installed alongside the existing
ago, which trebled its turnover. press, and both will be up and
The new four-acre site in Bramley, running in early January. This
Leeds, is half a mile from its will double capacity, streamline
original premises in Pudsey. The production, and will bring the
new site comprises two 30,000 sq all-important contingency option
ft units, one of which Print-Leeds in-house for the production of
will fully occupy by the end of wet-glue labels, composite tube
this year. The office, production wraps, litho box laminates and all L-R Steven Jones, director of agency at Eddisons, Rod Fisher, managing
facilities and the digital division litho plastics work. director at Print-Leeds, Isobel Hainsworth-Brear, director at Print-Leeds
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Regulars / New Products 19
New Products
01 02
PICTURED
1. UPM Raflatac
sample book
2. TubeScan
QLink-Workflow
3. Primera FX500e 04
4. UEI Group NW
SpeedChase NXT
03
01 Wine, spirits and craft 02 TubeScan QLink- 03 FX500e NW SpeedChase NXT and an
beverage labels sample Workflow Primera Technology Europe NW SpeedPlaten NXT that
book Nyquist Systems FX500e, which complements LX use a NW UniLock-Up Plate
UPM Raflatac Nyquist Systems has launched and CX series color label printers Ejector NXT box to quickly
UPM Raflatac has launched a its 100 percent print inspection and other laser- or inkjet-based set-up, dismount and change the
visual sample book to showcase QLink workflow. Nyquist’s label printers, has a 300m ribbon UniLock-Up die or counter force
its premium label materials for brand-new feature is the capacity and an improved guiding plates
wine, spirits and craft beverages. real-time counter of QLink: while mechanism to secure the label
Designed in collaboration with the TubeScan is scanning for path. Printer drivers are included ColourPrint HiQ
a team from SGA Corporate & defects on the printing press, the for Windows XP/7/10 along with IIJ
Packaging Design led by chief printer uses the touch screen BarTender Ultralite and NiceLabel Based on the KM1800i printhead
designer Giacomo Bersanetti, of the QLink Editor to classify Free 2017 Primera Edition from Konica Minolta, the
the book has been printed by the defects as ‘relevant’ or ‘not Software (both for Windows), ColourPrint HiQ range offers a
leading Italian printing company relevant’. As the printer is making four color ribbon starter rolls and native resolution of 600 DPI.
Multi-Color Corporation (MCC). his choices, the information is an external supply adapter for By using asymmetric screening
The sample book, formed of immediately considered in the 25mm or 76mm (1in or 3in) roll technology, they can achieve over
nine label designs printed on 18 net count of the inspected goods. cores, holding larger input rolls 1000 DPI apparent resolution.
different materials, is designed to Larger defect areas, like missing of up to 216mm (8.5in) outer Speeds of up to 200m/min are
inspire designers, brand owners ink, are being defined as ‘waste diameter. achievable. The new modules
and wineries, providing them zones’ and can be processed on are available in a range of print
with a tool to help select label the rewinder as a whole. The 04 NW SpeedChase NXT widths from 75mm to 520mm.
materials to showcase their compression of inspection data UEI Group
products. has also been redesigned. With The magnetic quick changeover
Nyquist QLink, the file size can system has been specifically
be 90 percent smaller compared developed for the narrow web
to usual rollmap files. industry. It is comprised of an
January 2018
20 Regulars / New Products
New Products
01
05 02
06
PICTURED
5. Dow HMB-6301
Masterbatch
6. Neenah Kimdura inkjet
synthetic tagstock
7. Treofan EUP70
8. Flint Group sheet-fed
IML ink
07 08
05 HMB-6301 Masterbatch addition to its Kimdura synthetic 07 EUP70 the latest in a line of products
Dow Performance Silicones paper portfolio. This new 7.5 Treofan introduced by Flint Group
The advanced silicone-based mil product with C1S topcoat is Matte on both sides, the intended to create a ‘rounded
technology has been designed optimized for print-on-demand EUP70 material has been portfolio’ for the offset label
to address claimed drawbacks and full-color aqueous pigment specially developed to meet printing market.
of standard slip agents. Dow inkjet applications. Kimdura the demanding requirements of The new ink is claimed have
Corning HMB-6301 Masterbatch inkjet synthetic tagstock is sheet-fed offset printing. Its high very high color strength, good
is engineered for BOPP and said to be compliant with the stiffness enables especially high printability with excellent dot
PP cast films used mainly in highest durability standards processing speeds with excellent sharpness and fast oxidative
food packaging, namely bags, for dimensional stability, color quality, says the company, while drying. Based on renewable
wrappers, packages and pouches, fastness, coating integrity, the low density ensures optimal raw materials and produced
with European Union food abrasion resistance, and printed area yield. conforming to GMP guidelines,
contact compliance and US FDA information legibility after harsh it is also claimed to have
food contact approval in process. and long outdoor exposure. It has 08 Sheet-fed IML ink exceptionally good adhesion and
It is suitable for both sequential been engineered for applications Flint Group scratch resistance, while being
and simultaneous stretching lines. with demanding requirements Novastar D 2000 IML Bio is a usable in high and sub-zero
The material is supplied in easy- in durability and productivity, mineral oil free, low migration temperatures.
to-handle, free-flowing pellets such as event IDs, healthcare, sheet-fed ink for label printing
and is available globally. construction (lumber and steel), without direct food contact.
horticulture, outdoor license, Suitable for printing work
06 Kimdura inkjet HazCom (workplace safety and corresponding to ISO 12647-2,
synthetic tagstock transportation), seafood and Novastar D 2000 IML Bio is Go to www.labelsandlabeling.
Neenah other outdoor tag uses. especially suited to printing com/news/new-products for
Neenah’s Kimdura inkjet on metallized paper and other more product news
synthetic tagstock is the latest non-absorbent substrates. It is Follow us @labelsandlabeling
labelsandlabeling.com January 2018

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Regulars / Installations | 23
Installations
01 02
03 04
01 Focus Proflex 330SE 02 MPS EF 340 Mark Andy Digital One ad-hoc inquiries for short runs.
First Choice Labels, UK Abbey Labels, UK Imprinting Systems, US With the new HP Indigo 20000,
First Choice Labels has taken The 8-color MPS EF 340 is the The prime label printer based the company added that it
delivery of a 6-color, full UV first of its type in Europe to be in North Carolina has brought answers to current market trends
Proflex 330SE servo flexo press installed with the GEW ArcLED digital production in-house and and extends its competences in
from Focus Label Machinery, its UV system. The LED system increased its productivity with the field of variable data printing.
first investment in servo-driven will use up to 50 percent less the installation. Mark Andy
printing technology. power than the conventional Digital One is a 4-color EP labelPantec RHINO
The new press has been installed UV methods of curing ink and press, and was selected to bring Pragati Pack, India
alongside two existing Focus radiates little or no heat onto the India’s first Pantec RHINO
additional capability, specifically
presses. It will be used for substrate. And while LED lamps in the digital and short run machine has been installed at
production of self-adhesive labels, are currently more expensive efficiency. The press provides Pragati Pack in Hyderabad by local
and to further increase efficiency than their UV counterparts, they in-line converting and finishing,distributor Vinsak. RHINO II is
and productivity. are claimed to last up to 20 an in-line flatbed embosser with
as well as the ability to add flexo
Nigel Willis, MD of First Choice times longer. MPS said this will foiling and hologram in-setting
decoration to labels with a single
Labels, said: ‘This is our third assist Abbey Labels in reducing multi-purpose print station. units. It has a revolving foil head
purchase of a Focus press and downtime and maintenance to apply foil across and in web
represents a big step forward during the lifetime of the press. 04 HP Indigo 20000 direction. It operates at a speed
for us in terms of productivity bits-to-dots, Germany of up to 25,000 cycles an hour
and flexibility. Our business has 03 Domino/AB Graphic The flexible package printer has for multi-stepping designs. These
grown rapidly in recent years hybrid printing line used HP Indigo technology for 17 seven strokes per second allow
and we needed to increase our Autajon (Sinel), Spain years, with the HP Indigo 20000 production at high speed with
efficiency and capacity. Focus has Incorporating a 7-color Domino its second HP press following an cost-effective tools, it is said.
always provided a reliable back-up N610i inkjet integration module HP Indigo ws4500. With a print
service, complemented by quick with an AB Graphic Digicon Series speed of up to 42m/min, the
response times, which were also 3, the press will be installed at the newly purchased machine allows
very important factors for us, Sinel plant in Barcelona in the first the company to implement four Go to www.labelsandlabeling.
when considering a new press.’ quarter of 2018. printing orders simultaneously com/news/installations for
and deliver a faster reaction to more installation news
January 2018
January 2018
24 | Regulars / Label & Packaging Showcase
Label & Packaging Showcase
03
01 02
04
05 06
DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation

01 Best of class: 03 Best of class: flexo 05 Best of class: flexo and 07Best of class: digital
multi-process and letterpress letterpress McDowell Label & Screen
Consolidated Inland Label Impressions Printing
Label Company Arizona Green Tea shrink sleeve label Pouch for Exotikz Cannabis Karbach Brewing Company
Mermaid Majesty Quintuple IPA
04 Second place 06Best of class: digital
02 Best of class: Steinhauser Syracuse Label
offset wine & spirits Boone County Distilling Company Ryze Vodka label
WS Packaging Group Tanner’s Curse whiskey
Willett Kentucky bourbon
Regulars / Label & Packaging Showcase | 25
07 08
09
10
Best in show
08 10 Half Acre Beer
ASL PrintFX Company This regular feature is dedicated to the

Half Acre Beer Company’s best designed printed packaging from
Kavi Reserve win top TLMI
Benthic is a bourbon barrel around the world. If you would like your
label award
aged imperial stout with product featured here, email
toasted coconut and coffee labelexposure@labelsandlabeling.com.
09 Best of class: other
that comes out once a year, We require a high resolution photograph
Inland typically around November. and supporting text.
Reser’s Deviled Egg Potato This label was printed by
Follow us @labelsandlabeling
Salad in-mold label Columbine Label Company
January 2018
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Regulars / Young Managers | 27
Young Managers –
Jimit Mittal, Monotech Systems
Jimit Mittal, vice president, Inkjet Products and Solutions at Monotech Systems, talks about the growth of digital technology
in the Indian market
“Despite the slow Customizing

adoption of digital through Jetsci
Monotech Systems customizes
in the Indian label products through its in-house brand
industry, it accounts Jetsci industrial inkjet printing

systems. Customer requirements such
for around 10 as speed marking coding, variable
data printing and full color UV inkjet
percent of label and label printing are incorporated into
the machines based on feedback. The
packaging printed company has installed more than
100 monochrome and some digital
products and is printing machines in India.
expected to grow at
17 percent CAGR” slower than anticipated in India. However,
label printers now understand the value
addition it offers in existing workflow
after completing their education. This for different kind of jobs. Despite slow
trend is, however, changing and I see adoption of digital, it accounts for around
increasing interest of young talent in the 10 percent of label and packaging printed
Indian graphic arts industry at large. products and is expected to grow at 17
This, coupled with growth, has resulted percent CAGR.
in the increase of the number of label UV inkjet has the highest projected
businesses which has made the Indian growth among digital label printing
market extremely competitive and has technologies for the next five years.
further led to higher expectations from According to survey reports, more than
brand owners. 50 percent of label converters will have
The mantra is to be profitable through digital printing capabilities in the next
I
began my career in 2004 as a service engineer in innovation, optimization in production three years.
the Indian label industry. In the span of 13 years, workflows and value addition, while Full color UV inkjet is one of the most
I have worked in various capacities on many ensuring consistent quality, and adopting popular technologies used by many
products and technologies. With Monotech Systems the right technology products. printers for its high quality and consistent
in the last seven years, we have established Jetsci The evolving technology, though, output with wider color gamut and lower
as a brand for high speed industrial inkjet printing increases pressure on machine running costs. Most printers prefer hybrid
systems. manufacturers and technology providers installations where customers can add
Labels and packaging is the fastest growing to consistently invest in research and full color UV inkjet to their existing flexo
segment globally. In India, due to deaccelerated development and provide printers the presses. This keeps their investments
growth in commercial offset printing over the last means to grow this industry and be low and gives them a lot of flexibility to
seven years, and a growth of 17 percent year-on-year profitable. It is a vicious cycle. achieve fast return on investment.
in labels and packaging, many commercial printers Digital is thus strengthening foothold
have diversified or diverted focus to this industry. Emerging trend with multiple installations in recent time.
It is critical that new printers understand that The emerging trend in the Indian label Conventional label printing machine
brand owners have set of goals and expectations industry is digital technology. Though manufacturers are also working towards
from label printers. They primarily seek innovations digital systems in label printing and making machines suitable for medium
and deliveries on product appeal, brand protection, converting have been an integral part of runs with minimum wastages and quick
cost competitiveness, and fastest turnaround the production process and workflow, in job changeovers. With automation kicking
to market. Label printers who deliver on these the last few years full color digital label in and the long strides that flexo has
expectations of brand owners win the race and stay printing has made its presence felt in the taken in the last couple of years, the
ahead of competition. industry and is being widely accepted for choice between the two technologies will
One of the key requirements to achieve success short to medium run length jobs. soon be tough for label printers.
is skilled manpower, which has been a challenge in Digital printing accounts for around
most parts of the country. Though there is potential 16.5 percent of all printing products Read more Young Managers
and learning opportunities in this industry, most globally. Unlike western markets, columns at www.labelsandlabel-
students divert to other mainstream professions adaptation of this technology has been ing.com/opinion
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Regulars / M&A | 29
Communicating change
Bob Cronin of The Open Approach outlines how to maintain loyalty during a company sale
C “For employees, a
hange is inevitable, so it should be a Beyond this, you need to prepare a plan that’s
lot easier to accept. Yet for most, it’s a crafted to achieve your goals, not just one that
struggle. This is true in virtually every
situation, but in the sale of a business, reactions
hopes to be addressed in ensuing ownership.
This is where advisory expertise comes in. In
change in ownership
can be drastic – with responses varying across
the spectrum. While proprietors have their own
my 10+ years in label and packaging M&A, I
repeatedly see five areas as the key focus points.
can be one of the most
concerns, they’re the ones steering the change By incorporating considerations for these, you’ll tumultuous experiences
and thus have a positive vision. Others may demonstrate that you not only understand
not share this sentiment. For employees, for your potential obstacles, but that your rationale they ever encounter”
instance, a change in ownership can be one of provides for clear, concise, directional guidance
the most tumultuous experiences they ever that will keep your company and people united
encounter. and positioned for the future. that how you communicate the change is key.
Founded or not, people’s reactions to the Identify your key staff and future roles, enlist
news of their company being sold is often one 1. Operational focus their support, and work on effective messaging
of worry and dismay. Unaddressed, such feelings When going through an M&A transaction, many for the entire team. Clearly articulate the
grow into contempt that could result in the loss parties are needed to gather information and vision, goals, expectations, and impact of new
of customers, personnel, and even the deal itself. direct the efforts to bring a deal to a conclusion. management. Be prepared to answer questions
While there’s no perfect time to announce a This means there can lots of strange people about what the change means to people’s jobs
transition, it’s inevitable that you strategically in suits spending too much time hanging and the future. In order words, present a picture
communicate it – and do so wisely. It takes around the plant. Buyer or seller, this can be that instills confidence in the operational focus
only one nervous sales rep or scared purchasing very distracting. Moreover, if employees don’t going forward. You’ll need to make sure to dispel
agent to start a ripple that shakes your entire understand what’s going on, this can raise a lot any doubts that the new structure can and
value chain. of questions. will achieve the path you’ve laid out. How you
Having seen the damage this can do, I always Map out a clear operational focus first with communicate your message will go a long way
recommend having a communications strategy your advisors. Discuss your intentions and exit in ensuring a successful process.
in place before you begin a transaction. It should strategy. Then, work together to determine the
cover what information to release, how and timing for communicating the planned change.
when to release it, and to whom. You should run This may need to be
it past advisors, top management, colleagues – accomplished in tiers
and even spouses – and make refinements for to enable you to cover
best effect. At its true scale, a company sale is the issues that are
the transfer of an entire organization, not simply most applicable to
the exit of an owner. It must take everybody specific groups.
into account, and it must get everybody When you’re
engaged and participating in the process. ready, remember
30 | Regulars / M&A
Most important, make sure your team and make adjustments. Establish a plan to
hears the news from you first, rather than “When your communicate the change to ensure you
getting it from the grapevine. In today’s
wired world, too many employees find competitors catch word maintain the bonds to keep your company
thriving.
major news or M&A activity about their
company through facebook – or from
of your transaction, 4. Competitor perception
vendors sharing something they found on
Twitter.
you can expect them to When your competitors catch word of your
transaction, you can expect them to be
be circling your clients circling your clients like sharks. Indeed, it
2. Trust will be the time customers may actually be
Every successful label and packaging like sharks” open to a new supplier if they’re confused
company runs its business on a high level of by the potential impact. In many cases,
trust amongst the team. If the trust erodes you share a book of business with multiple
during a transaction, whether between Discuss your concerns and challenges. Talk suppliers, and clients divide work amongst
owners, sellers, buyers, or the team, the openly about what problems may arise these suppliers to get the best service.
ability to successfully recover becomes next during or after the deal. Get their input on In addition to communicating prolifically
to impossible. You need all key players to be the positives and negatives. Their insights to your customers, make sure the news
part of the future direction and understand my open up new and valid considerations. you’re conveying (via social media, news
its consequences and opportunities. Trust them, and they will trust you. releases, salespeople, etc) details the
This doesn’t simply mean telling people No matter how your company will look transaction in a positive fashion. Don’t
what they want to hear. Smart people get post-sale, it will still need to function in shy away from media exposure or expect
irked over omissions and exaggerations. a manner that will allow for the vision to the buying entity to put out the best
They also don’t respond well to pithy become reality. It needs your people to message for you. Craft communications
assurances. In fact, sometimes the ‘don’t make it happen. that reinforce the company’s strengths
worry about it’ comment can be more going forward, and demonstrate the energy,
worrisome than anything else. Keep your 3. Customer impact support, and passion your employees and
close team and managers in the know. Ironically, for many businesses preparing customers have in the new entity.
for sale, the last group considered are
customers. Yet, in most cases the ‘customer 5. New trajectory
list’ is really what is being bought or sold. Finally, as you sell your company,
Consider how important the top 10-20 communicate to people the technologies,
(or even 50) customers are to your talent, and growth opportunities that
business. Then ask yourself how to keep will open up for them. These can be new
them loyal and secure. How would a production abilities, equipment or finishing
change in ownership affect them? What benefits, mailing savings, consulting
concerns might they have? What specialty knowledge, industry specializations, and
knowledge, capabilities, capacity, or other more. For staff, highlight new products,
manufacturing facets would be integral? Are cross-training opportunities, in-house
there legal, certification, or confidentiality capabilities, perks and incentives. Whatever
issues that would need to be addressed with your benefits, make sure all your people
a new management team? And personally, are well aware. But such information can
if you were in your customers’ shoes, how be overshadowed by the deal at hand. Be
would you feel about this type of change? positive, yet be honest. The full and rich
During a recent deal we orchestrated, a benefits of a sale should never be a secret
top client made their thinking clear. They to your constituencies.
explained that they felt very important So what’s the best way to communicate
to the selling company, but knew that change? A focus in these five areas is a start
their smaller volumes would make them for ultimate transaction success. Keep your
less important to the new, larger entity. people inspired and motivated through the
Thus, they abandoned the new company process, and work to ensure sales stay intact
upon sale. While this particular client and your company remains positioned for a
was honest, many clients may not be. profitable future.
You need to fully review, analyze, and Through all your actions, stay diligent.
consider the effects of your pending Whatever you do, make it a point that your
transaction on your customers. Take action star continues to shine brightly far beyond
to accommodate these. Handle this early your exit.
Bob Cronin is managing partner of The Open Approach, an M&A consultancy

focused exclusively on the world of print. In addition to spearheading several large
label and packaging industry transactions, the firm regularly handles value-
enhancement initiatives and organizational workouts/turnarounds. To learn more,
visit www.theopenapproach.net, email Bob Cronin at bobrcronin@aol.com, or call
(001) 630 323 9700
32 | Regulars / Q&A
Shi Jianping is general secretary of the Flexo Printing Branch

of the Printing Technology Association of China (PTAC). He
has worked in the printing industry for more than 26 years.
He started working in the flexo print industry in 1997 with
Shanghai Purlux Machinery and 16 years later joined the
Flexo Printing Branch of PTAC. He has published more than 40
academic papers in different magazines, and has participated
in the review of national standards for flexo printing in China.
Interview by Yolanda Wang
Regulars / Q&A | 33
Annual meeting of PTAC’s Flexo Branch
L&L: What are the major responsibilities of the Flexo Printing L&L: What is the current status of the Chinese flexo printing
Branch of the Printing Technology Association of China? And industry?
what is its role in China’s industrial development? SJ: According to the latest statistics from PEIAC (Printing and Printing
Shi Jianping: The Flexo Printing Branch of the Printing Technology Equipment Industries Association of China), flexo presses were the
Association of China has been a champion of the flexo printing only type of equipment to show growth of both imports and exports,
industry’s growth in the past 25 years. There are two main with growth rates in both cases above 30 percent. At the same time,
functions. Firstly, to build bridges between print enterprises and figures from a national index of leading ink suppliers show that flexo
government authorities, forwarding their demands and requirements printing accounts for 15-18 percent of overall printing market share –
to government in a timely manner and providing in return the a 10.9 percent increase on the previous year.
government’s policies and regulations to the industry. We make full Besides the continuous efforts of flexo printing enterprises, the
use of the association’s resources to build a platform of expertise and industry has, as we have seen, benefited from the opportunities
share these resources with our members. brought by national environment protection policies. Compared with
As a representative of the package print community we provide ‘traditional’ printing methods (gravure, offset and screen printing), the
technical support and assistance as well as participating in the waste gas and liquids discharged by the ink and production process
drafting of new laws and regulations relating to the print sector. This during flexo printing are much less and are more easily controlled at
allows industrial standards to be developed with the requirements source.
of the flexo industry in mind, which maintains a sound basis for Mr Cai Chengji, a consultant at the Flexo Printing Branch, made a
development. calculation of the density and rate of exhaust emission when printing
with water-based ink. As a result of this work, the emission limits
L&L: What has the Flexo Printing Branch done to push the for water-based inks to comply with the requirements of eco-label
growth and development of the industry? products issued by Ministry of Environmental Protection, is lower than
SJ: At the end of September we had almost 270 members, with 25 Beijing Municipality’s specified limit of 30mg/m3, and the maximum
new members joining this year – an increase of 10.2 percent. We have emission rate is lower than Shanghai and Tianjin’s specified limit of
built a database of 50 experts with detailed technical knowledge of 1.5kg/h.
the industry and in the past year we hosted visits from more than Therefore, environmental policies are actually a big help for the
20 giants in our sector, including Avery Dennison, Kodak and Weifang growth of flexo printing.
Donghang. In addition, we interviewed more than 30 companies
including DIC Graphic, Hangzhou Cron and Shanghai CymMetrik. L&L: How would you compare the development of flexo
A major part of our work was to participate in the establishment printing in China with western countries?
of a series of flexo printing industry standards. These included SJ: Industry insiders usually describe flexo in China as ‘late start, poor
national standards for ‘Color and transparency of printing ink sets base, weak foundation, slow growth’. Indeed, flexo printing technology
for 4-color flexo printing’; ‘Green’ printing standards; process control was not imported into China until the 1990s, and it grew slowly due
requirements and test methods for flexo printing of books and to the limits of the technology and lack of skills.
periodicals; and standards for Digital Flexo CTP platemaking and However, we have seen some real breakthroughs in recent years.
flexographic platemaking. We not only contributed to the standards The Chinese flexo press industry has moved from nothing, through
regulating the sector’s industrial development, but we also provided imports, digesting of knowledge, then innovation and development to
an important data resource and organized skills training for the whole achieve its present-day status. The latest statistics indicate that the
industry. total installed base of flexo presses in China is currently up to 2,197
In addition, after a resolution at our annual meeting last year, pieces – 76 percent of which are made in China.
we represented our members in an exchange of views and opinions Letterpress and offset printing were in the past the main
with the leaders of the Environment Development Center about a production methods used in label printing. But at Labelexpo Asia
reduction in the atmospheric pollution tax for water-based flexo 2017, exhibitors such as Weigang, Dowell, Bengraphic, Jingda,
inks with VOC emissions of under 5 percent. At the beginning of Hexiang, Olger and Shanghai Xinhu will all showcase new flexo label
October, this appeal was converted into a new standard announced equipment.
on the official website of the Ministry of Environmental Protection. In the fields of flexible packaging and film label printing, the rapid
The relative cost reduction of flexo water-based ink in terms of increase in print quality of satellite flexo presses can now compare
environment protection will raise its market competitiveness to a with gravure presses in terms of production efficiency and precision.
significant extent. However, compared with western countries, Chinese flexo
January 2018
34 | Regulars / Q&A
Shi Jianping Shi Jianping, second from left, visiting Shanghai CymMetrik
printing is still not mature. At present, flexo printing in western market consumption is not large. This means flexo plates are not as
countries accounts for around 32 percent of print production, while popular as offset plates. For quite a long period in the past, converters
in Asia Pacific as a whole, it is only 15-20 percent. The proportion had to rely on imported flexo printing plates from companies such as
in South America is higher than Asia-Pacific and Africa is the lowest. DuPont, Flint, MacDermid, Toyobo, Asahi Kasei and Kodak. Nowadays,
But the trend is clear: the market share of flexo printing in China Chinese enterprises such as Lucky Huaguang Graphic have started
five years ago was only 8 percent, and it is up to approximately batch production of flexo printing plates, and the output of Chi-
15 percent today. nese-manufactured flexo printing plates is gradually rising.
From beginning of this century, western countries had already
L&L: What are the current challenges faced by China’s flexo entered into the digital platemaking stage, while we are still in the
industry? And how do we respond? process of converting from conventional to digital plates.
SJ: In my opinion, the challenges are mainly from two aspects, one for Currently the integration level of digital plate technology in
hardware and another for software. Chinese platemaking companies is not high. So Chinese flexo printing
‘Hardware’ mainly refers to the flexo printing plate. In China, the enterprises need to strengthen communications with advanced
biggest restriction on the rapid development of flexo printing is international enterprises – ‘go outside and invite in’ – in order to
the high cost of flexo printing plates. Flexo plate material requires diminish the gap while achieving the breakthrough and upgrading of
complicated production procedures and high precision, and the overall our own platemaking technology.
Job status
tracking &
scheduling
Accounting Order
processing
Data
collection
Inventory control
Label & purchasing
estimating
Regulars / Q&A | 35
The ‘Software’ mainly refers to the establishment of industrial Environmental Protection and will carry out the work of interpretation,
standards and cultivation of professional talent. propagation and implementation.
Industrial norms and standards are required to regulate the The second key strategy is around the application of new media.
processes adopted of Chinese flexo printing enterprises. Next year, The development of the internet era and the joining of a younger
we will continue to establish these industrial standards in the form generation of flexo talents makes communicating by WeChat more
of several new regulations. These will include process control and test and more popular. We are operating three WeChat groups – ‘Flexo
methods for UV-cured flexo printing, and a draft of new technical printing Vision’, ‘Big Flexo Branch family’ and ‘Vice president of Flexo
requirements and assessment methods for ‘Green’ flexographic Branch’. Using these faster and simpler new media communication
printing. And besides organizing technical exchanges, summits and platforms, we hope to promote an effective and direct communication
forum activities, the Branch will also encourage flexo enterprises to and learning between the Branch and enterprises as well as among
cultivate training of their own workers through daily production and enterprises.
training classes, and to innovate continuously in order to improve What’s more, in order to promote the quality improvement of
the flexo products’ quality to match the level of offset and gravure flexo products, the Flexo Branch will go on to hold the biennial Hua
printing. As the saying goes: ‘More preparation quickens the speed in Guang Cup, rewarding product quality assessment in the flexo printing
doing work’. Raising the technical level of personnel and their ability to industry.
innovate will allow enterprises to cope with any kind of challenge and
realize more rapid development. L&L: What do you think about the development of digital
printing in China? Is there any conflict with flexo printing?
L&L: What are the most important measures the Flexo Printing SJ: I think digital printing must be a mainstream printing method in the
Branch will take in the future? future. It meets the demands of the market for fast turnaround and
SJ: In 2018, we will emphasize the following, as well as keeping personalized packaging. Now, digital printing in China is still at an early
up our other established work. Firstly, implement environment stage of exploration, but there is already a small group of enterprises
protection policies. At present, 21 municipalities and provinces have which have obtained good results from digital printing, converters such
published (different) regulations relating to emission standards of air as Taiwan Fengpeng and Shandong Lv’Ai.
pollutants for the printing industry. In 2018, China will start levying Both digital and flexo printing are environment-friendly methods,
its environment protection tax. The Flexo Branch will forward in a which will develop mutually for quite a long time. Following the
timely manner the latest environment protection policies from the development of automation and greater efficiency of flexo press
government and feed back the status of enterprises to the relevant technology, the two processes will be combined for use in various ways.
governmental department.
Perhaps the most important national environment protection
standard will be ‘Technical requirements for environmental labeling
of products – gravure and flexo printing ink’, and the Branch will For more by Yolanda Wang on the Chinese label market,
cooperate closely with the Authentication center of the Ministry of go to www.labelsandlabeling.com/author/yolanda-wang
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36 | Legal cannabis market
The green rush

Legal cannabis is a fast-growing industry in North America and can be particularly profitable for those in the label and packaging
industry. However, this emerging market comes with its own unique set of challenges. Chelsea McDougall reports
S
ome call it the ‘Green Rush.’ Others legal cannabis market reached $6.7bn USD sell all the accouterments to indulge –
liken it to the Wild West. Experts say in US, Canada, and Mexico as these countries pipes, pre-rolled cigarettes, cigarette paper
it’s growing faster than the dot-com have expanded their legal marijuana market. and more. Not to mention the products
era in the early 2000s. Call it what you will, At a 34 percent growth rate, this industry for medicinal marijuana. The list of legal
the legal cannabis market is growing by is growing larger and faster than the dot-com cannabis and auxiliary products and services
an unprecedented rate and is presenting a era (see boxout), and the market will reach is practically endless: all products that
tremendous opportunity for the label and $22.6bn USD by 2021, according to the require a label and need packaging guidance.
packaging industry. Arcview’s most recent ‘State of the Legal Converters prepared to enter this developing
In the US, eight states (Alaska, California, Marijuana Markets’ report. market could be at the forefront of this
Colorado, Oregon, Massachusetts, Maine, ‘Very few consumer industry categories so-called ‘Green Rush’.
Nevada and Washington) and Washington, reach $5 billion USD in annual spending and Packaging could play a key role in guiding
DC have fully legalized cannabis to be sold then post anything like 25 percent compound an industry that looks to shed its stoner
and taxed in dispensaries for recreational annual growth across the following five image as it moves toward wider adoption.
use. Another 22 states and Washington, DC years,’ Arcview’s report states. As these companies evolve, they’re looking
have active legal markets in the form of
legalization for medical or scientific purposes.
Elsewhere in North America, the Canadian “To choose not to participate in it because
government is expected to legalize
recreational marijuana for the entire country you may not agree with it, that’s now seen as
by July 2018, and Mexican President Enrique
Peña Nieto recently signed a decree opening somewhat foolish. Our attitude is: legal is legal.
the door for medical cannabis legalization.
All this points to an industry that is
It’s a huge vertical that we don’t even know the
accelerating faster than any other in recent
memory, and the payoff could be huge for
potential long term. We’re going to be active
label and packaging suppliers. in it, and we’re going to be transparent. We’re
Arcview Market Research has studied
the legal marijuana market and its growth not doing this in the shadows. It’s an exciting
opportunities. According to its reports, the
business to be a part of”
A wide market for their labels and packaging to represent
The products for this market are plentiful. a grown-up image. High-end dynamic
There’s the flower – or the traditional packaging is in demand.
marijuana ‘bud’ – but also cannabis-infused ‘Now [marijuana companies] have a prime
edibles and beverages, cannabis lotions, oils, product that will reside on shelves,’ says Gary
topicals, capsules, tinctures, vape pens and Paulin, Lightning Labels director of sales and
pre-rolled cigarettes. Additionally, dispensaries client services. ‘Consumers are going to walk
into a dispensary and expect the products to
look high-end. Recreational legalization has
been a real game changer, it puts the prime
label front and center.’
Lightning Labels, a label converter based in
Denver, Colorado, has been at the front lines
of this evolving market.
Paulin continues: ‘You have an industry
that’s grown out of the shadows. But it’s
grown up, and now it deserves to be taken
seriously. These companies are putting more
thought into branding and realizing that the
brand is so much more than a logo. A brand is
who you are.’
The industry, while profitable, has a unique
set of challenges.
Cannabis infused lotion Cannabis ointment with labels created In the US, branding is met with roadblocks.
by TinctureBelle by Lightning Labels in Denver, Colorado Even though there are active legal markets in
Legal cannabis market | 37
Legal cannabis ‘is bigger

than the dot-com boom’
In its latest report on the legal marijuana
market in North America, Arcview
Market Research makes a bold claim: the
legal cannabis market is growing at a
faster rate than the dot-com era of the
mid-2000s, the researchers found.
‘Very few consumer industry
categories reach $5 billion USD in annual
spending and then post anything like 25
percent compound annual growth across
the following five years,’ Arcview’s report
states.
Cannabis tinctures with labels created
Cable television is probably the closest,
by Lightning Labels for TinctureBelle growing at 19 percent annually in the
late 1980s, and broadband internet
30 states, marijuana still remains a federally changes we can easily make, without the subscriptions grew at 29 percent per year
illegal substance. The office responsible for need for additional plate fees. Our customers in the early 2000s, compared to the legal
registering trademarks – US Patent and often drive other changes once they marijuana market’s 34 percent growth
Trademark Office – is a federal office, and understand how we can help them create rate between 2015 and 2016.
therefore will not trademark marijuana great packaging with eye-popping graphics.’ Much of the growth can be attributed
retailers or marijuana products. This to a legal industry that simply didn’t exist
means brands are effectively left open to Shifting attitudes a decade ago. As more US states, Canada
counterfeiters and trademark infringement. Although today acceptance for legal cannabis and Mexico look at relaxing its marijuana
And while the future of US cannabis is hugely popular (polls show that 80 percent prohibition laws, the industry is poised to
legalization under the Trump administration of Americans approve legal access to medical grow as an extraordinary rate – reaching
is unclear, repeal of federal prohibition would cannabis, Arcview says), for years it’s been an $22.6bn USD by 2021 – in just four
‘fuel explosive growth,’ Arcview notes in its industry that’s operated in the black market, years’ time.
report. so it’s reasonable that some businesses would
be apprehensive about jumping in.
Regulations At Lightning Labels there were few active in it, and we’re going to be transparent.
Digital flexible packaging converter ePac, misgivings. ‘To choose not to participate We’re not doing this is the shadows. It’s an
based in Middleton, Wisconsin, has seen in it because you may not agree with it, exciting business to be a part of.’
greater interest in this arena since opening that’s now seen as somewhat foolish,’ he
a second location in Boulder, Colorado. Carl continues. ‘Our attitude is: legal is legal. It’s
Joachim, ePac’s chief marketer, has lovingly a huge vertical that we don’t even know the For more from Arcview’s report ‘The
compared the emerging legal market to ‘the potential of long term. We’re going to be State of Legal Marijuana Markets’,
Wild Wild West’. visit www.arcviewmarketresearch.com
‘I’m referring to the level of maturity
of the industry,’ says Joachim. ‘From the
standpoint of the income opportunity the
industry promises to deliver: there are many
companies vying for market position, and
a few larger entities beginning to emerge.
While new entities are formed and licenses
are obtained, in many states lawmakers are
still defining the regulations that are needed
to govern the industry, while enabling an
infrastructure to support growth.’
As states iron out the rules guiding this
new industry, oft-changing regulations can
lead to headaches for label and packaging
converters, according to both Joachim
and Paulin, as they require changes to the
packaging. However, digital technology lends
itself well to this industry, as there are many
smaller, boutique brands, with short runs and
frequent artwork changes.
‘Often there are new state regulations
that deal with how the product needs to be
marked,’ Joachim explained. ‘These are simple
The products for legal cannabis are practically
endless. Pictured is TinctureBelle’s CannaBath January 2018
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TLMI | 39
TLMI hosts printTHINK

Summit and annual meeting
North American association TLMI hosted a printTHINK Summit and its annual meeting in September and October respectively.
Chelsea McDougall reports
T
LMI is coming off a busy period that included a trip attracting a skilled workforce, e-commerce and more. Clockwise from
to Belgium for Labelexpo Europe 2017, which was The keynote speaker was Dr Kaihan Krippendorff, a top left:
attended by senior leadership and a few members. business strategy speaker and author of ‘Outthink the Converter of the year
Nick Van Alstine of
Before the trade show there was the North American Competition,’ a mantra he explained to the audience. Macaran Printed
association’s inaugural printTHINK Summit, formerly known Outthinking means innovating, and to innovate, Products
as the technical conference, and after Labelexpo was its Krippendorff said, ‘look for an idea that all business experts The TLMI annual
annual meeting, TLMI’s largest yearly gathering. say won’t work’ and ‘think about where the next battle meeting was hosted in
All this activity was done with a new leader. Dan Muenzer ground will be.’ Scottsdale, Arizona
has hit the ground running as the association’s newest Supplier of the year
Paul Teachout of
president, as of May 2017. Annual meeting Nilpeter
The highlight of the annual meeting was the 40th annual Kim Lear talked
printTHINK Summit awards gala, which honored not only the exemplary work about generational
It was the first year for TLMI’s rebranded technical of label and packaging converters in North America (see differences in the
workplace
conference, now called printTHINK Summit. Though the boxout), but two industry veterans who have shaped the tag
name was different, the event still provided North American and label industry for the better. Mike Abrashoff spoke
at the TLMI annual
label converters with top-notch educational content, Nick Van Alstine, president of Macaran Printed Products, meeting
networking opportunities and chance to see the latest from was named converter of the year, and Nilpeter’s Paul
industry suppliers. The biennial event was hosted September Teachout was named supplier of the year. When accepting
5-7 in Rosemont, Illinois, near the venue for Labelexpo the award, Van Alstine said: ‘It’s a great honor and I’m proud
Americas. and excited to be recognized by my peers. I can honestly say
Participants had their choice of three educational tracks that joining TLMI has been the most rewarding experience,
covering five topic areas over the three-day event. Topics for me personally and for my company. The ability to learn
included future of operations, color management, inkjet, from the best and brightest in our industry in such an open
workflow and UV vs LED. Members took a deep dive in and friendly environment has helped Macaran become a
these topics with sessions in hybrid presses, low migration, better company and me a better business person.’
January 2018
40 | TLMI
A panel discusses environmental issues at the TLMI annual meeting
Teachout, who is the vice president of sales

and marketing at Nilpeter North America,
“I can honestly say that joining TLMI has been the most
said: ‘It was a great honor and privilege to be rewarding experience, for me personally and for my company.
recognized by the TLMI for this award. I have
had such a great opportunity over the years
The ability to learn from the best and brightest in our industry
to work with so many wonderful converter in such an open and friendly environment has helped Macaran
and supplier members, they have all played
a part in my career. The TLMI has had a become a better company and me a better business person”
major influence in my direction and I cannot
thank the entire association enough for the I’m proud to work alongside them and to and developed content and programming
opportunities they have provided.’ know that their efforts have been recognized around the pillars of the 2016 document,’
Muenzer congratulated this year’s winners: with these prestigious awards.’ said Patrick Potter, president of FlexoWash,
‘Nick and Paul exemplify what it means to be The awards capped off two days of 2017 annual meeting chair, and the latest
part of the TLMI family. Year in, year out, they networking and education tools under the inductee into the TLMI board of directors.
step to the plate in so many different ways to theme ‘Strategies for Success’. Potter was installed at the conference
support their peers and advance the industry. ‘We used the TLMI strategic plan as a guide along with other new board members, John
TLMI | 41
Attayek, CEO of Inovar Packaging Group, and future and then drive our ships to meet those
James Hammer, president and CEO of Hammer challenges.’ The 2017 TLMI
Packaging. Mark Glendenning, CEO of Inland, will
extend his term through 2020.
Generational expert Kim Lear had the audience
laughing with her take on cultural shift and
awards
Welcoming the new members of the board, differences between generations from baby The 40th annual TLMI awards
TLMI chairman Craig Moreland said: ‘I am boomers, to Gen X, to millennials and now Gen recognized the best technical
delighted to welcome these experienced industry Z. Baby boomers prioritize hard work, Gen Xers skills and label printing
professionals to the TLMI board of directors. prioritize work/life balance. ‘And millennials say: techniques. Judges evaluated
We are in the middle of launching several new “I’ve got yoga at noon and can I bring my dog to more than 200 entries in a broad
strategic initiatives and John, Jim, Mark and work”,’ Lear said, laughing. range of categories. The top
Patrick will provide valuable insight and a fresh Practically speaking, though, there are more winners are:
perspective to these efforts. TLMI has a strong than 82 million millennials, so attracting them to
Best of show and best of class
and very engaged board, and I am certain their one’s business is a matter of understanding them
– flexo wine and spirits:
collective knowledge and unique perspectives – like it or not. At the same time, it’s important
ASL Print FX for Kavi Reserve
will be beneficial to all of our members and the not to alienate the older workers, she said. ‘We
industry as a whole.’ need our more senior workforce to be engaged Best of class – digital:
The annual meeting was held October 8-10 because we need them to mentor the younger Syracuse Label & Surround
at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at generation.’ Printing for Ryze Vodka
Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona. Before the Other speakers included packaging consultant
Best of class – multi-process:
awards gala, events included a keynote speech Ron Sasine of Hudson Windsor and George
Consolidated Label Company for
from Mike Abrashoff, who took command of the Blomgren of The Good Jobs. There also was an Mermaid
worst-performing Navy ship in the Pacific fleet environmental pane featuring Jerry Powell of
and within 12 months turned it into the top boat. Resource Recycling, Kyla Fisher of Ameripen and Best of class – offset wine and
When implementing changes aboard the ship, Paul Gardner of WasteZero. spirits:
Abrashoff banned his sailors from objecting to The keynote speeches were followed by TLMI WS Packaging Group, for Willett
change by saying ‘that’s the way we’ve always committee meetings to discuss business. TLMI Kentucky Bourbon
done it.’ It was a military lesson, but one that committees include environmental, government, Best of class – flexo and
the businessmen and women could take away. workforce development, marketing, membership letterpress:
Improvement, Abrashoff said, doesn’t come from and technical committees. Inland for Arizona Green Tea
maintaining status quo.
‘If we continue to do things the way we’ve Best of class – other:
The next TLMI meeting is for converters
always done it, we’re going to become irrelevant,’ Reser’s Deviled Egg Potato Salad
and held March 11-14 in San Diego,
he said. ‘Our challenge is to envision the California
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MPS open house | 43
Kees Nijenhuis, vice president of MPS Systems North America, offers a press demonstration of the MPS EF
MPS opens North American demo center

MPS has partnered with Green Bay Packaging to open a new demonstration facility and application center. Chelsea McDougall reports
M
PS opened its North American self-adhesive BOPP substrate. The press was
demonstration and application shown with UV LED curing by GEW, hot air
MPS sells two EF Symjet
center with an open house on dryers and multiple converting options. systems at Labelexpo Europe
October 26 that was attended by nearly Kees Nijenhuis, vice president of MPS
At Labelexpo Europe 2017, MPS sold
150 people. MPS partnered with Green Bay Systems North America, said: ‘In our new
two of its EF Symjet systems – one to
Packaging for its new facility, which sits on technology center, we are going to show
US-based DWS Printing and another to
the pulp and paper company’s campus in our potential customers something special,
Dutch company Etikettendrukkerij Noord
Green Bay, Wisconsin. that is why we have decided to install a
Nederland (EDNN).
EMT, Kodak, Domino and Rotocontrol 10-color, 17in-wide EF press with all the
Deer Park, New York-based DWS Printing
also featured equipment and supplies at the bells and whistles.
purchased its first MPS press with the EF
open house. There also were more than 25 ‘The EF is our automated multi-substrate
Symjet investment. It was the second EF
industry partners exhibiting in a table-top press and future proof press platform. In our
Symjet sale in the US, with the first going
demonstration. technology center we are going to show
to Meyers, a Minneapolis-based label, card,
With its home in Green Bay, the our potential customers what is possible
signage and display company. EDNN was
demonstration center is located in an area when we push the limits when it comes to the first Dutch company to invest in an
ripe with manufacturing activity and nearby productivity, flexo print quality and flexible MPS EF Symjet.
label converters. In the new facility, the Dutch converting.’ MPS’ Eric Hoendervangers said: ‘When
company chose to highlight a press that was And that they did. The images in the first we introduced the EF Symjet at Labelexpo
manufactured locally and specifically for the job demonstrated the press’ ability to hold Europe 2015, we knew the market needed
North American market, said MPS co-founder tonal range and flesh tones across a wide time to get used to the idea of hybrid
and commercial director Eric Hoendervangers. range 175 LPI to 600 LPI. The second print job printing. With the sale of two presses at the
‘It was important for us that we have highlighted the capability to print four colors show, marking the first in The Netherlands
the right machine for North America,’ UV flexo at 1,000 LPI. and the second in the US, our customers
Hoendervangers told the crowd. ‘I do not Marty Olson, Green Bay Packaging senior have proven to be ready for the future.’
believe that we develop a machine in vice president, said: ‘Having a state-of-the-art
Holland, we sell them into Europe and then flexographic press available for print testing
that machine will also be needed in America. will be a tremendous addition to our product up to 75m/min in hybrid printing mode.
The last couple years we’ve studied and tried development efforts. In addition, offering (See boxout)
to understand your needs for a machine. We visiting customers the opportunity to see our MPS at the open house also discussed
developed a machine that we believe you material converting capabilities will enhance its latest Labelexpo launch – a connectivity
need in your American market space.’ tours of our facilities.’ platform called ‘Talk To Me’. MPS
Also demonstrated during the open house describes ‘Talk To Me’ as a system of open
The ‘bells and whistles’ were the new RobustCut side-load die station communication between all software and
After the morning events at Lambeau Field, of EMT and Rotocontrol’s RSC 440 inspection equipment on the print shop floor. Essentially,
home of the Green Bay Packers American slitter rewinder. ‘Talk To Me’ allows converters to manage their
football team, visitors were taken to the The morning’s presentations were offered presses through an app, even when they’re
brand-new facility, for a demonstration of by Kodak, Rotocontrol and Domino – with not on site or near the equipment.
label jobs printed on a 17in, 10-color MPS whom MPS has partnered for its EF Symjet
EF multi-substrate flexo press. The jobs on press. The EF Symjet combines MPS’ EF flexo To watch a video from MPS on its
display were printed with Kodak Flexcel press with Domino N610i inkjet technology ‘Talk To Me’ platform, visit http://
NX plates and on Green Bay Packaging’s for a fully integrated hybrid press that can run tinyurl.com/yb6aggue
January 2018
44 | Xeikon Café North America
Jeffrey Hayzlett delivered the keynote Dr Joe Webb, a print industry consultant, Filip Weymans, Xeikon VP of marketing, shows the PX3000,
address at Xeikon Café North America offers insights into the print industry the company’s first foray into digital inkjet machines
Xeikon Café debuts in North America

Xeikon had its digital offerings on display at its first Café event in North America as the company looks to increase its presence here.
Chelsea McDougall reports
X
eikon has brought its Café event series marketing Filip Weymans said, adding that
west, debuting for the first time in the company believes the market has room
North America. for both EP and inkjet technology. Xeikon hires new team
Xeikon Café has been a popular event near Chatelard said the company’s future plans in North American push
the company’s Belgium headquarters, but are ‘to continue to enhance electrophotog-
the digital press manufacturer is looking to raphy, master inkjet and expand software Xeikon is reorganizing its North American
have a bigger presence in North America, and integration capabilities.’ Chatelard, who took staff to provide local sales teams for all
promised to make the Xeikon Café North on his role nearly 100 days ago at the time markets it is serving, including labels and
America an annual one. of the Xeikon Café press conference, also said packaging, and it is making investments
The event was hosted on October 18-19 the company plans to invest R&D dollars into in marketing and business development.
at Xeikon’s North American headquarters and developing a strategy for flexible packing. Xeikon has hired Donna Covannon as
home of its new innovation center in Itasca, marketing director Xeikon North America
Illinois, near Chicago. Xeikon Café included “Labels now represent $1 out and James Achenbach as technical
an array of educational sessions and was split engineering solutions and sales support.
into two tracks – one dedicated to labels and
of every $8 of all dollars spent ‘We are delighted to have Donna and
packaging and the other for commercial and on commercial printing. Who James joining us as part of this North
American growth strategy,’ said Dave
document, reflecting the market segments on
which the company focuses.
would have thought? People Wilkins, Xeikon VP sales and marketing
US. ‘Both appointments are fundamental
At Xeikon Café, there were nearly 30 thought labels were just this to the continuous expansion of our highly
partner companies attending a supplier
table-top exhibition as well as live press little niche. It’s not. Labels are skilled and knowledgeable team dedicated
to servicing the digital printing market in
demonstrations at its innovation center. where the action is” the US and Canada. We look forward to
Xeikon said there were about 175 attendees,
them bringing their expertise on board
about 70 of which were printers. Dr Doom on the print market
and providing Xeikon customers with the
Three digital presses were on display As the educational and motivational sessions
highest levels of support and care.’
at Xeikon’s innovation center: the Xeikon rolled on over the two-day event, Dr Joe
PX3000, the company’s first UV inkjet digital Webb, known widely in the print community
label press that launched at Xeikon Café and as ‘Dr Doom’, brought a blunt approach to commercial printing. Who would have
Labelexpo Europe earlier this year; the Xeikon the mostly upbeat proceedings. He broke thought? People thought labels were just
9800 duplex electrophotography (EP) printing down recent print industry statistics and at this little niche. It’s not. Labels are where the
press for the graphic arts market; and the times painted a bleak picture for much of the action is.’
Xeikon 3500 wide-web, high-speed EP digital greater print industry. Other highlights included a converter panel
press geared for carton packaging markets. However, if there’s one segment in from AccuLabel, ProLabel and Produlith who
Earlier this year, Xeikon made a move which Dr Doom is optimistic, it’s labels and talked about their experiences moving to
into UV inkjet market with the addition of packaging. Xeikon technology. And a pair of packaging
Panther technology and the launch of its All forms of commercial print in the US designers also offered insight on what brands
PX3000 digital press. Though this is new have declined in recent years, Dr Webb are looking for from their print service
territory for the toner-based OEM, Xeikon said, while labels and packaging remain an providers.
officials made it clear that company is not attractive market. Over the last 20 years – Xeikon followed up its North American
limiting itself to a single technology. That adjusted for inflation – overall commercial event with Xeikon Café Nordic in November
being said, the company is not turning its printing is down 2.3 percent, he said. hosted in Malmö, Sweden and will host its
back on the electrophotography – a segment ‘Commercial printing – excluding printed annual event in March in Belgium.
that made Xeikon ‘a strong number two’ labels – is down 36 percent. Labels have
in the digital label market, CEO Benoit actually been a pretty good place to be.’ To follow the Xeikon Café
Chatelard said. Webb continued: ‘Labels now represent conversation, search for the
‘We’re technology agnostic,’ Xeikon VP of $1 out of every $8 of all dollars spent on #XeikonCafe hashtag on Twitter
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HP Indigo GEM | 47
HP Indigo introduces
one-pass embellishment
At Labelexpo Europe, HP Indigo showed a fully commercialized GEM single pass embellishment system, which opens a world of new
design possibilities. Alon Bar-Shany and Ed Wiegand explain the background to Andy Thomas
A
t Labelexpo Europe 2017 HP Indigo introduced its GEM years, moving into the sheet-fed market. ‘There, I started to develop
technology, a UV inkjet-based unit which enables the sheet-fed inkjet embellishment technology. But because I was involved
application of fully digital graphic embellishments in one pass with HP I shared what I was doing with them, and the feedback was
with an HP Indigo WS6800 digital press. GEM is capable of a wide “We’re interested”. In October 2014, JetFX was co-founded with my
range embellishments including digital spot and tactile varnishes, partner Daniel Hodhod to develop the technology with HP, and we
digital foils, and a range of other creative effects. were building prototypes by June 2015.’
The HP Indigo GEM is a joint development between HP Indigo and Alon Bar-Shany, vice president and general manager of HP’s Indigo
UV inkjet specialist JetFX, a company co-founded by industry veteran Division, takes up the story: ‘Ed sat on our advisory board, and we were
Ed Wiegand. talking about what the brands will need going forward to continue
Wiegand was, in fact, an early adopter of HP Indigo technology. growing. With JetFX we brought an early model to drupa to validate
He started work at Avery Dennison company Soabar in 1988 before the concept and see where it would fit.
moving to Sancoa International in 2008, where he had a 17-year ‘It turned out to be an idea which met a strong customer need. If
tenure. ‘In 2008 we looked at the first WS6000 press that HP brought converters need to move to analog for the second pass, this takes away
to drupa,’ Wiegand tells L&L. ‘We had three 6000-series presses within the benefits of digital. Focusing on one-pass production with the full
18 months, and since then I have sat on the HP Indigo advisory board. flexibility of digital is the logical solution. And we knew our customers
would think of ways to use this technology we had not considered.’
‘There are thousands of printers out there who are not looking at
“From a very early stage I had this vision future technology states,’ adds Ed Wiegand. ‘Most digital today is three
of combination printing because that steps – the Indigo print, then a separate line for embellishing, and then
finishing and inspection. You have to anticipate waste at each step of
was what the analog label world was the process, not just in moving between machines, but also because
every analogue embellishment step slows the process down.
about. I was already asking what was ‘If you have one process station and a die-cutter in digital finishing
the opportunity for these new digital you’re operating at speeds of 55-60 meters/minute, but add a flexo
spot station and you’re down to 35-40m/min. Add screen and foiling
technologies to complement each other. and it slows down still further until the whole line is down to at
15-20m/min.
And I was aware that HP was looking at ‘The HP Indigo in-line concept is one operator, one pass and one
how to expand its own digital solutions” workflow, with fully predictable waste and an optimized process. And
this is where our full
tactile digital screen
‘From a very early stage I had this vision of combination printing and foiling system
because that was what the analog label world was about. I was already fits.’
asking what was the opportunity for these new digital technologies to
complement each other. And I was aware that HP was looking at how
Left: A GEM varnish
to expand its own digital solutions.’ sample
Wiegand left Sancoa just before it was acquired by CCL and, as Right: An example of
part of a non-compete agreement, left the label industry for three GEM embellishment
January 2018
48 | HP Indigo GEM
“Bar-Shany asserts that as

well as reducing production
and labor costs through
more efficient workflow
with less waste, the GEM
workflow will open a new
category of innovation – in
particular using HP Indigo’s
unique Mosaic software”
GEM technology
The GEM unit makes use of single pass
piezo inkjet heads which can carry out any
combination of embellishment processes.
This might include digital foiling overlaid with L-R: Ed Wiegand and Alon Bar-Shany
a 3D effect, or a spot coating. ‘We aim to
create enough flexibility that innovation will Foils have to be specially specced for the Braille print meanwhile has a range of 80-150
come from the end customer,’ says Wiegand. GEM. ‘We are now qualifying a number of microns, and early testing indicates that we
The digital foiling unit on the current manufacturers.’ can match this at a slower speed.’
GEM has been completely redesigned from To give an idea of the tactile print The UV inkjet fluids developed for the GEM
the original prototype. Instead of a more capabilities, Wiegand compares the GEM system have a high scratch resistance – at
traditional tower, the foil unwind and rewind with analog. ‘Flexo varnish is up to 8 microns least the equivalent of plate-based systems,
are now at waist level and built into the high, while most rotary screen printing of says Wiegand. ‘Our ink chemistry is optimized
machine body. text or fine details has a height around 15-16 for the HP Indigo ElectroInk process.’ Inks will
‘A nice feature is that we disengage the microns. High-build flat screen to a height be HP Indigo branded and sold through the
foil unwind so you don’t have to break the of 40 microns is typically limited to the company’s distributor network.
foil and then re-link it for the next job, which wine and spirits sectors. These heights can The first coating products available are the
significantly reduces waste,’ says Wiegand. all now be achieved at Indigo press speeds. GEM Coat and GEM Clear.
HP Indigo GEM | 49
Design possibilities new front end will enable everything Ed just architecture which will enable designers
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the GEM talked about,’ continues Bar-Shany. ‘Not only and brands to see ways they can benefit
system is the full integration of the digital for embellishment but also driving multiple from something which is still evolving,’ says
embellishment engine into the digital front presses, as well as security and variable data Bar-Shany.
end (DFE) of the HP Indigo press, requiring applications.’ ‘We can put the inkjet through the same
only a single design file. There are no current plans to add laser Mosaic process and combine this in many
‘The embellishment is simply a separate to this in-line print and embellishment ways with Mosaic print. For example to
layer within an Illustrator file,’ says Alon system. ‘Laser would be a dream, but laser keep the Indigo static and “Mosaic” the
Bar-Shany. ‘The DFE automatically separates solutions are still not versatile enough on all spot varnish or foil. You can imagine what
the layers and sends to the Indigo imaging substrates.’ aesthetic effects you might achieve for
laser and then to the piezo inkjet.’ Bar-Shany asserts that as well as reducing a wine label. We can already add serial
At Labelexo Europe HP Indigo introduced production and labor costs through more numbers, for example, and now we can foil
a new DFE which uses technology developed efficient workflow with less waste, the those numbers as well.’
by the company for the commercial and GEM workflow will open a new category of Many other examples come to mind –
photo worlds where an immense an amount innovation – in particular using HP Indigo’s Wiegand cites pharma security printing as
of data is processed. The HP Production Pro unique Mosaic software with the GEM. one, where the product does not always
for Indigo labels and packaging RIP offers five Mosaic allows set elements within a design to justify high-end holograms. ‘Now you can
times faster processing than the existing RIP. be infinitely varied, an effect which has been create unique holograms on site.’
‘As label customers use this full system applied by many brands including Coca-Cola
more they will need commercial power, and – and for a previous L&L front cover. The GEM JetFX system will be
together with the powerful Esko tools this ‘We have created an open platform and available to order from spring 2018
HP Indigo GEM JetFX in-line with a WS6800
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Heidelberg | 51
Heidelberg’s Label Day demonstrated end-to-end IML production
Heidelberg boosts IML

efficiency with rotary die-cutter
A new configuration for Heidelberg’s IML rotary die-cutter sees hole punching and waste extraction added as an in-line process. Andy
Thomas reports
H “The Speedmaster XL 106-DD

eidelberg has unveiled the latest the main branding area – a hole needs to be
version of its Speedmaster XL106 DD cut to allow the plastic to be injected into
in-mold label (IML) rotary die-cutting the mold. Holes are also necessary for the rotary die-cutter for in-mold
system, which places a hole punching and thermoforming and blow molding processes.
extraction unit before the outline cutting Up to now this has required a separate
labels is certainly the best
unit, allowing both steps to be carried out in off-line operation. Now, by placing the machine on the market, a
a single pass. hole punching unit, with integrated waste
The unit was launched at Heidelberg’s extraction, in-line with the outline cutting revolution in terms of IML label
Label Day event focused on sheet-fed offset unit, both operations can be carried out in a
production for in-mold labels. The company single pass, greatly increasing productivity.
production. The Heidelberg
showed for the first time the printing of The specially designed magnetic cylinder concept proves that rotary
in-mold labels with food-safe UV LED inks on the hole punch unit has a grid of air holes
on a Speedster XL106 press equipped with which both suck and blow air – sucking to die-cutting is not only much
Heidelberg’s Dry Star LED lamp system. hold the snippet in place while it is punched,
Labels were then finished on the new XL106 then blowing to eject the waste into a
faster than flatbed die-cutting,
DD rotary die-cutter suction hood inside the cylinder. Two separate but at the same time more
Why are injection holes important? chambers integrated into the cylinder move
Where an in-mold label covers the bottom the air from blowing to sucking as the precise and more efficient”
of a container – an increasing trend as end cylinder rotates – a fast, accurate and fully
users place more information away from mechanical process.
January 2018
52 | Heidelberg
packaging: ’The market is changing so if you have

the possibility to cut and blend holes you can also
speak about different kinds of holes, not only small
injections but also the possibility to cut a window
and extract the window in the label, or to create
hang tags with paper or plastic, or even egg boxes.
So maybe this creates a new kind of product.’
Heidelberg has run successful tests with hole
diameters up to 15mm on a range of papers. ‘We
can leave it to our customers to think about the
different possibilities this opens for their business,’
says Doley.
Rotary history
Heidelberg started development work on its rotary
die-cutting technology around ten years ago,
launching the original Speedmaster XL 106-DD
in 2009.
‘This enabled IML label converters to cut any label
size on a rotary system. Compared to a flatbed die
rotary is faster, uses cheaper tooling and eliminates
work-in-progress,’ says Philipp Doley.
Sample of die-cut and hole-punched in-mold label ‘If you are only able to flatbed die-cut 2,500
sheets an hour and your press is running at 12,000
The magnetic die-cutting plate covers punching module will handle materials sheets an hour, work in progress takes up a lot
all the air holes on the cylinder except ranging in thickness from 0.05mm to of space. And on a flatbed die-cutter the cutting
the hole to be punched. 0.3mm. Minimum injection hole size is process for the sheet has to stop completely and
The punched waste is taken away to an 5mm. speed up 100 percent afterwards, so you always
external storage unit with two removable As well as IML applications, Philipp have a hard stop and a hard run. On rotary, the
hoppers. Doley, product manager of sheet-fed sheet is always moving.’
Production speed of the machine at Heidelberg Druckmaschinen, sees Based on a Speedster XL-106 coating unit, the
is between 6-10,000 s/ph. and the other possible applications in POS and XL106-DD IML rotary die-cutter will handle paper
Heidelberg | 53
and synthetic materials from 50-80 microns demand to punch and remove the snippets
at production speeds between 6-10,000 very close to 100 percent,’ continues Global IML demand
sheet/hour – around twice the speed of the
fastest flatbed die-cutter.
Hiller. ‘A register system guarantees a
repeatable, precise application of the tool
grows
The flexible die tooling costs are between when changing jobs, and an additional scale Heidelberg sees continuing strong growth
300-1,000 EUR per cutting plate, with a facilitates the set-up process.’ prospects in the IML market, which
tool lifetime up to one million impressions. A range of options were tested to according to figures from consultancy
Heidelberg estimates that the cost of rotary simplify the punching process and plate AWA, has grown by 7.3 percent from
tooling is half that of flatbed on runs of handling and to focus the airflow. ‘The good 2014 to today, beating the overall labels
500,000 sheets. cooperation between machine manufacturer industry growth of 6.5 percent. IML
A newly developed pin mounting system and punching tool manufacturer was the represents around 2 percent of global label
ensures tight cutting plate registration and breeding ground for this revolution in the consumption – a total volume of 1.195
pressure setting can be fine-adjusted by one IML labeling,’ states Hiller. million sqm up from 1,100 million sqm in
micron increments. As Hiller notes, the rotary die-cutting 2014. More than two thirds of worldwide
The magnetic cutting and punching unit is optimized for fast job changeover. production goes to food packaging.
dies were developed by Kocher+Beck, in The die-cutting plate can be changed in just Almost 60 percent of global IML
a project headed up by Reinhold Hiller, three minutes, and a complete job change production goes to Europe, currently
product manager, In-line Offset Cutting including feeder pile change and setting growing at 3.6 percent, followed by North
System. takes no longer than 15 minutes for a America at 22 percent, growing at 5.5
‘The Speedmaster XL 106-DD rotary repeat job and 30 minutes for a new job. percent. Asia-Pacific represents 12 percent
die-cutter for in-mold labels is certainly the Since the launch of the XL-106 DD there of global IML consumption, growing at
best machine on the market, a revolution in have been 41 installations around the world, 4.4 percent. The most dynamic global
terms of IML label production,’ says Hiller. including five fully in-line on Speedmaster market – although from a low base of 3
’The Heidelberg concept proves that rotary XL 105 and 106 presses. percent of global consumption – is South
die-cutting is not only much faster than ‘A fully in-line configuration only really America, now growing at 8 percent. Africa
flatbed die-cutting, but at the same time makes sense if the press is dedicated to IML has grown to 4 percent of global IML
more precise and more efficient.’ labels on an industrial scale, with average consumption.
As the tool manufacturer, Kocher+Beck runs of 50,000 sheets,’ says Doley.
was involved from the beginning of the Up to now five of the IML rotary
project. ‘The focus was on topics such as die-cutting units with hole punch option For a report on the IML-specified
feasibility, user-friendliness, speed in setting have been sold, so it looks like Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 106 mentioned in
up/changing the tool and the customer’s has anticipated a growing market need. this article, see L&L 4, 2017
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54 | Limo Labels
A Nilpeter FA-4* is one of Limo Labels’ most recent flexo investments René Klith, Limo Labels production director
Innovation at Limo Labels

The Danish converter is pursuing growth after a period of consolidation. David Pittman reports
D
anish converter Limo Labels is on a history of all the big customers we have.’
journey of discovery since acquiring ‘In Denmark,’ he adds, ‘if you’re solely Future changes
and integrating complementary competing on price you will lose. The only
Klith won’t commit on the company’s
printing companies to expand its offering and way to truly succeed is to add value. You have
plans to expand into new markets at this
capabilities. to innovate to be in business for the long
stage, although he says: ‘We are ambitious
In March 2015, Limo Holding acquired term. Our philosophy is to be very flexible
but we need to see what child is born from
fellow Danish printer Flexiket. At the same about what customers want. We are working
our new company. I would be surprised if
time it took over the label activities from to create real value and to do something
in five years we are still the same. We will
tesa and Ganket. The two companies were different.
be bigger, although it is not a goal in itself
immediately merged with Limo Labels. Limo
to achieve double-digit growth.
Label Systems, which sells label printers and
dispensers, labeling machines, software, foils “Both companies were ‘We are open to a change in direction
but it remains important that we can
and spare parts, was also fully integrated with
Limo Labels. And earlier in 2017, the decision
too small to be big, but create value with the customer. The
was taken to fully merge Flexiket with Limo too big to be small” building blocks are what you know a
lot about and have experience in. You
Labels as both companies looked for a
can succeed in combining different
sustainable growth path. ‘If a customer wants something special, we
technologies and the things you know. This
‘Both companies had the same challenge will try and find a solution for them. Doing is often the way to create value.’
of being too small to be big but too big to be a project with a customer creates value for He concludes: ‘We are looking forward
small,’ comments René Klith, the company’s them and us, rather than just selling products.’ to 2018.’
production director. ‘The project has required Limo Labels produces all forms of labels,
us to integrate two businesses with different including simple blank labels, ordinary 4-color
cultures, alongside bringing together different labels and special labels. It develops functional Xeikon, Stork and EFI. Printing using the
customers. We’ve worked hard to make sure labels in close consultation with customers, screen process, while a niche part of Limo
existing customers receive the same levels of and is a UL-certified company. Security labels Labels’ production, has an important role to
service that they always have.’ are offered in voidable, destructible, RF, RFID play in its concept-orientated mindset, says
Klith identifies that the merger has allowed and holographic materials, standard and Klith, by providing value-adding capabilities
Flexiket to diversify by serving a bigger pool customizable. Special colors are available, for printed products. Investment in new
of companies. Previously, it served a small such as thermochromic, luminous, textured, technology has a similar part to play, such
number of bell cow customers, including Lego. conductive or autoclave-proof for sterilization, as laser die-cutting or flexo presses, which is
‘We have analyzed some big companies in and with imprints using hot or cold stamping. driven by the desire to add new functionality
Europe, and many have made the mistake of A complementary service is also available to and capabilities to its production, rather
focusing on big customers as they have got manage storage and distribution of customers’ than straightforward replacement of legacy
bigger. This way you lose future big customers. labels. Limo Labels describes this service as equipment.
From our point of view, it is very important to offering savings in time, space and money. A Nilpeter FA-4* is one of its most
keep a large portfolio of small companies as This allows short delivery times, removes cash recent flexo investments, and one of the
the future.’ tied up in inventories, and allows customers company’s widest presses at 420mm. Klith
to take advantage of large scale production by specifies 330mm as his favorite width for a
Innovation minimizing start-up costs. label press, noting wider machines as more
Bringing innovation to its pool of customers In terms of label printing technology, it difficult to fill with jobs.
is central to Limo Labels’ strategy. Delivering offers flexo, digital and flatbed screen. Flexo
them a bespoke, specialized option to suit is its main technology, with around 20 Read the ‘Project showcases narrow
their needs will help these smaller companies presses – almost all Nilpeter models – with web flexible package production’
become big accounts, states Klith. ‘That is the a handful of digital printing machines from feature on p49 in L&L issue 5, 2017
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Loc España | 57
Loc España focuses

on diversification
Spanish converter Loc España has installed a Bobst M4 flexo press as its looks to further diversify its business into flexible packaging.
James Quirk reports
S
panish label converter Loc España, production is spread across a wide range of was key to Loc España surviving the financial
based in the Getafe suburb of Madrid, sectors: food and automotive are its biggest crisis, says Zoilo Lopez, head of production
installed a Bobst M4 press at the end end user markets, while logistics, electronics, and son of founder Alberto Lopez. ‘The
of last year in order to boost its label printing economic crisis didn’t have a big impact on
capabilities and to facilitate a move into
flexible packaging production.
“Thanks to the Bobst us,’ he says. ‘Thanks to this diversity, we were
able to adapt. And now the industry seems to
The family-owned business, founded 40 machine’s agility, it can be rejuvenated: clients are ordering more.’
years ago by Alberto Lopez as a supplier In the wake of the crisis, Loc España began
of photocopy paper, has gained a strong
compete with digital presses to export labels nearly five years ago. Some
reputation in Spain for its focus on at the 4,000 linear meter 13-15 percent of production is now exported
value-added applications since its move into – automotive labels are sent to Portugal,
label printing in 1985. This focus on specialty job mark. We plan to use the Germany and Poland; food and wine labels to
label production helped the company to press to produce short run France and Italy.
weather the financial crisis in Europe in the Including RFID and intelligent labels, label
years following 2008, and left it well-placed flexible packaging” production represents 80 percent of Loc
to take advantage when growth returned to España’s business. ‘We focus on value-added
the market: Loc España achieved 8 percent cosmetics, retail, pharmaceutical, industrial labels,’ says Zoilo Lopez. ‘In every sector,
growth in 2016 and is on course for 10 and defense – labels which require high there is potential for added value and to offer
percent in 2017. durability and must survive rigorous testing – the client something they didn’t know they
The move into label printing took place also feature. need.’ Sales staff are trained specifically in the
in 1985, with the photocopy paper sector in ‘We have always maintained a philosophy company’s various end user sectors.
decline. Between the mid-1980s and early of diversification and added value,’ explains RFID tags are bought from external
1990s, Loc España bought letterpress presses sales director Antonio Jódar. ‘We are suppliers and combined with labels using an
from Orthotec and Labelmen, as well as very focused on specialty labels, and are insertion machine built in-house. Applications
Spanish companies Jores and Tipoflex. Offset well-known for this in the local market.’ include shoes used by marathon runners;
presses were also installed, from Heidelberg, a hospital which has tags inserted into its
Hamada, Sakurai and Minerva. Diversification staff’s clothing to keep track of how many
During this time, the company focused on Label production is one of four divisions at washes each item has been through; and
industrial labels for the automotive, telecom- Loc – the others are dedicated to RFID and Pacha Club in Ibiza, which uses RFID labels
munications and household appliance sectors. intelligent labels, applicators and thermal in its warehouse to keep track of what stock
With a move into flexo printing in 2000, transfer printers, and photocopier material has been sold. ‘We see growth and long-term
thanks to the installation of a Converpress distribution. potential in intelligent labels,’ says Antonio
rotary flexo machine, Loc España began This diversification – both of business areas Jódar. ‘We have the advantage of many years
to branch out. Today, the company’s label and end user sectors within its label division – of knowledge and experience in this area.’
Zoilo Lopez with the Bobst M4
January 2018
58 | Loc España
‘Well-dressed’ products
In Spanish, Loc España’s name is a play on
words meaning ‘well-dressed’ – referring to
the elegant decoration the company provides
the products for which it prints labels.
into its current 2,500sqm factory – a second

Converpress flexo press was installed in 2007.
The machine has eight colors, delam/relam,
Machine sales represent 10 percent of reverse printing, hot stamping, UV curing and
business. Loc España distributes Toshiba three die-cutting units. During a strategy meeting
and Zebra Technologies printers, as well as that year, Loc España had decided to focus its
thermal transfer ribbons and consumables. investment on two processes: flexo and digital.
The company has its own Loc España Digital capabilities came in November 2016
The production floor at Loc España’s brand of thermal transfer ribbons and with the installation of a VP700 table-top printer
factory in Getafe, just outside Madrid
offers 24/7 technical service; Alberto Lopez, from Spanish manufacturer VIPColor. Powered
the founder’s son and Zoilo’s brother, is in by Memjet technology, the system has been
charge of this area. attached in-line by Loc España with a die-cutting
Toshiba applicators are also sold, while system from Australian supplier Austik. ‘We
Loc España builds applicators in-house wanted to test the water for short run work,’
for larger clients – including bottlers and explains Zoilo Lopez. ‘We’ve liked it a lot: it has
food companies – who need equipment freed up the presses to focus on longer runs. It’s
constructed to their own specifications. our first step into digital printing, but we will likely
The final 10 percent of Loc España’s invest in a bigger machine in the future. There is
business is in photocopier paper – its a trend towards shorter runs in our all end user
original occupation. It sells its own-branded sectors.’
paper, manufactured by an external In December 2016, Loc España installed a
supplier, and also distributes materials from Bobst M4 flexo press, which replaced an Etipol
UPM and Double A. letterpress and one Converflex flexo machine.
The 8-color machine has a 430mm print width,
Investment automatic register, UV curing units from GEW,
After the company’s initial move into BST web guides, delam/relam, reverse printing
Converpress flexo press flexo printing in 2000 – the year it moved capabilities, a coupon label unit and two Snowball
Loc España | 59
Youthful leadership
Zoilo Lopez began working at the
company 10 years ago, aged 17.
Having spent time working in all areas
of the business, he is now head of
production. His brother Alberto works
in the machine division; his sister Laura
works in sales.
A member of Finat’s Young
Managers Club, Zoilo Lopez says
L-R Zoilo Lopez, head of production, The VIPColor digital system has been joined
that the company has a philosophy
and Antonio Jódar, sales director in-line to an Austik die-cutting system
of employing young talent. ‘There
are lots of young people working in
“We have always maintained flexible packaging. We have been talking to our factory,’ he explains. ‘We believe
clients about this new project, though growth in
a philosophy of diversifica- this area will mainly come from new clients.’
strongly in training our own people
and preparing for the future.’ Suppliers,
tion and added value. We are Finishing takes place on an AB Graphic such as Avery Dennison, also regularly
Omega, also installed in 2016, and an AB
very focused on specialty Graphic Vectra system. Platemaking used to
help with training staff; Loc España
prides itself on its close relationships
labels, and are well-known take place in-house, but is now outsourced with these companies – in the factory,
so the company can focus purely on printing. staff wear company branded shirts
for this in the local market” ‘Having installed such a high quality press such adorned with its suppliers’ logos.
as the Bobst M4, the rest of our processes need Loc España has a relationship with
die-cutting units. The press has a top speed of to be brought up to scratch and improved,’ local technical college Puerta Bonita
200m/min – easily achieved, according to says Lopez. Salesianos, which has recently started
Zoilo Lopez. Loc España has 27 full time employees, a to offer courses in flexography. The
‘The press has so many value-added figure which can rise to 37 if a particularly company serves as a training center
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Museum of Brands and Packaging | 61
Planters Mr Peanut promotion

Asahi uses HP Mosaic software
Mr Peanut Jelly Bean Coffee
‘Personalized’ packaging
showcased at brand museum
Andy Thomas reports from a new exhibition series at London’s Museum of Brands, Packaging & Advertising
T
he Museum of Brands, Packaging & updated to capture the most innovating order single 8-oz glass bottles or six-packs
Advertising in London’s Notting Hill packaging being produced today as well featuring the logo, nickname or battle cry
has launched a new exhibition series as exploring cutting-edge technology in from more than 50 colleges and universities.
looking at different aspects of packaging packaging innovation. The aim is to stimulate The printer was Quality Tape & Label (QTL)
innovation, starting with a look at how further debate on complex questions such as using an HP Indigo 20000 digital press.
personalization is being used to engage sustainability and how packaging is used by The Diet Coke Extraordinary Collection is
consumers. brand and marketing professionals to build also shown, which used the HP SmartStream
The display is put together by UK business.’ Mosaic platform and 23 base patter
packaging innovation experts ThePackHub, Many of the examples on display will designs to deliver a unique experience to
and features examples of personalized be familiar to regular L&L readers, but it is their consumers by printing two million
packaging and one-of-a-kind pack versioning thought-provoking to see them together and one-of-a-kind shrink sleeve labeled bottles.
enabled by digital print technology. compare different production, distribution The display notes that the bottles became
There is also a chance to order your own and data capture models. The examples collectables and customers had the chance to
personalized pack via a special online portal move from mass customization – where buy t-shirts, iPhone covers and shopping bags
at the Museum. consumers pick up a randomized pack – to that also featured their unique pattern.
‘ThePackHub is delighted to collaborate web portal-driven personalized promotions Another shrink sleeve promotion which
with the Museum of Brands on this exciting whose aim is as much data capture and makes use of Mosaic is Planters Mr Peanut
initiative,’ says managing director Paul creation of an online ‘buzz’ as the production 100th birthday celebration, which transforms
Jenkins. ‘It’s great to see how many of the and delivery of unique promotional items. the classic Dry Roasted Mr Peanut jar into
packaging designs of the past have influenced three million one-of-a-kind designs. The
the evolution of packaging innovation in the Dynamic limited edition packaging features a dancing
present day.’ Coca-Cola emerges as the most dynamic Mr Peanut amidst festive, eye catching
Karin Kihlberg, executive director at the and innovative brand for embracing these fireworks in a multitude of colors and designs.
museum, adds: ‘This new initiative and possibilities. Irn-Bru is another drinks brand to enthusi-
collaboration with PackHub marks an exciting Examples at the museum include astically embrace digital print. Its ‘Made from
time for the museum. Our permanent Coca-Cola’s well known Share-a-Coke labels, Girders’ promotion features a series of retro
exhibits shows technological developments as well as the ‘March Madness’ promotion labels displaying scenes from 30 years of
and how packaging has evolved from in the US, which saw the creation of custom advertising campaigns. The printer here was
Victorian times to the present day. This college basketball team bottles in a limited Amberley Labels, using an HP Indigo WS6600
new evolving display will be continuously edition format. Fans could customize and digital press.
January 2018
62 | Museum of Brands and Packaging
Share a Coke Irn-Bru
The same team produced the Your Clan such as birthdays and anniversaries. Products towards web-to-print personalization, with
promotion, which won a silver award in were only available to consumers via an competition winners getting to personalize
the 2015 UK Design Business Effectiveness online page, and gifts were sent directly to their chocolate packs with a photo or phrase,
awards. The campaign offered consumers a recipient with a personalized message. which they receive in a special presentation
57 different labels, giving fans a chance to The printer was Digilinck using an HP Indigo box. Stand-up pouches were used for the
secure their own family tartan. During the 30000 digital press. Cafe Franqueza Conscious Coffee promotion,
three months labels were available, website designed to help promote the Ercus
traffic leapt by 185 percent and sales were Cartons and flexible packaging Foundation in Mexico in its campaign to
17 percent higher than the same period the Multi-pack cartons are featured in an Asahi ensure a fair deal for impoverished Mexican
previous year. promotion which celebrated the G7 summit farmers.
Perhaps the most unusual and complex taking place on ISE-Shima Island in Japan. Personalization is shown as a route to
of the exhibits is the Mainichi News bottle. A set of six limited edition ‘collectible’ pack promote even the longest established,
Mainichi News is a Japanese newspaper formats were produced, each using iconic apparently ‘non-giftable’ brands, as shown by
which worked with a mineral water company images from the island’s history. The pack the Vaseline exhibit. This year the company
to engage millennials in rediscovering the designs were printed on an HP Indigo 10000 offered consumers the chance to personalize
value of newspapers. The ‘News Bottle’ digital press by Sagasiki, with a total of pieces their own tins via an online portal. Customers
format involved printing a different news produced. Cartons are also the format for enter any name, a short phrase and up to
story each day for a month on the water McVities Jaffa Cakes, which accompanied 11 characters and their bespoke pack is
bottle labels, along with an augmented reality the launch of its new website with a bespoke delivered to their home. This promotion is
app which enabled consumers to connect pack service, again with customers entering a accompanied by the logo ‘Whose Name is on
with more news content online. Altogether chosen word on the site with delivery direct your Lips?’ – both helping to encourage gift
3,000 bottles per month per store were sold. to the recipient. purchases.
The printer was Seikou Japan, which used an Flexible packaging is represented by Another long-established ‘static’ brand is
HP Indigo 20000 digital press. Mondelez International’s Colorfilled campaign HP Sauce, but in 2011 one million limited
Marmite pushed into the ‘giftable’ sphere for its Oreo holiday cookies, which L&L edition bottles were produced to raise
through a joint venture with tech company covered recently. After a successful launch in awareness of ‘Movember’, the annual charity
Intervino in 2015. Consumers visited the the Americas, the campaign was extended event for men’s health. This went hand in
Marmite Facebook page and typed the name to the Asia-Pacific market, where Mondelez hand with a Facebook competition where
to appear on their Marmite jar. This data was entered into a partnership with China’s participants posted photos of their newly
captured by an app which allowed Intervino Alibaba e-commerce group. Oreo cookies grown moustaches. The owner of the most
to execute the label rapidly and with were sold in reusable customizable packaging ‘Likes’ starred on the next sauce bottle label.
seamless data capture. with a price premium of 2-3x the regular The promotion ran until 2015.
Nutella and Amarula are also featured in pack price. This increased sales by 140 This is a very worthwhile visit for any
the museum display, and these have both percent and introduced Chinese customers to readers visiting London. A particular strength
been covered in the pages of L&L. buying personalized products online. is placing the well-chosen exhibits in the
Alongside the label promotional exhibits Another flexible packaging example wider context of brands; attempts to engage
are examples showcasing different packaging is Nestlé’s KitKat promotion, with the ever more closely with the people who
materials. company giving away more than 56,000 consumer their products.
An example of customized folding cartons personalized packs in a campaign produced
is provided by The Jelly Bean Factory, which by Ultimate Packaging using an HP Indigo
For more information on the
created a series of 18 different packaging 20000 digital press. The campaign is noted
Museum of Brands and Packaging,
options designed to mark special occasion as a great example of the growing trend For visit www.museumofbrands.com
Exhibition banner
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Manjushree Technopack | 65
Interior of Manjushree Technopack factory in Bidadi
Manjushree diversifies
into flexible packaging
One of India’s largest rigid packaging manufacturers has diversified into shrink film manufacturing. Aakriti Agarwal reports
I
ndian packaging group Manjushree manufacture shrink films that help them abreast with new trends in the market as well
Technopack clocked a turnover of 635 cater to wider requirements of their as to improve efficiencies.’
crore INR (97m USD) in 2016-17 financial customers. Manjushree has a total production Kedia explains the diversification is a
year as against 546 crore INR (83.4m USD) capacity of 132,277 tons per annum of natural progression: venturing into shrink
the previous fiscal. The company witnessed PET which is estimated to be 12.5 percent film packaging allows the company to be
a growth of 15 percent year on year, with of the total PET market in India. However, a 360 degree packaging provider to its
six percent of the total revenue being Kedia says, ‘Any industry has to continuously clients: ‘Many beverage manufacturers have
contributed by exports. invest and plough back earnings to expand moved from traditional glass bottles to PET
The company’s growth has been fueled by their operations. The investment in new due to its economical and sustainability
the acquisition in 2016 of Delhi-based Varahi technologies is very important to keep benefits. The rise in the demand for PET
Polymers with factories in Noida, Baddi and
Shrink film machine installed in Bidadi factory
Pantnagar. According to a national daily, this where the company also manufactues preforms
deal was estimated at 350 crore INR (53.5m
USD) and gave Manjushree access to Varahi
Polymers’ factories, assets and intellectual
property rights. ‘The acquisition has given
us significant presence with customers in
North India and has added to our growth.
We have acquired new customers such as
Dabur, SC Johnson, Perfetti Van Melle and
Patanjali,’ says Vimal Kedia, managing director
at Manjushree Technopack. Varahi is expected
to contribute 250 crore INR (38.2m USD) to
Manjushree’s turnover in the current fiscal.
Flexible packaging
To cater to the growing needs of its
customers base, Manjushree, one of the
largest suppliers of rigid plastic packaging
products in India, has diversified to
January 2018
66 | Manjushree Technopack
produces films ranging from 25 to 180 micron.

The machine is capable of extruding and laminating three different
layers of raw material, thereby forming a multilayer structure as
opposed to a conventional monolayer technology. The multilayer
structure in shrink film gives a better tensile strength at lower
thickness. Therefore, the overall cost to the customer is reduced.
Manjushree further plans to increase production capacity by adding
a second machine by 2018 due to fast growth of this market in India.
‘This market is growing at 25 percent CAGR. This growth is led by
several beverage majors, 50 percent of whom have made a shift from
traditional corrugated boxes to multilayer shrink film packaging,’
says Kedia. As an example, he explains, ‘Cola manufacturers have
phased out corrugated boxes and packing PET bottles in shrink film.
This helped them curb their cost of tertiary packing by 80 percent.
Similarly, a lot of companies are looking to replace honeycomb
L-R Rajat Kedia, director; Surendra Kedia, executive director;Vimal Kedia,
managing director; and Ankit Kedia, director at Manjushree Technopak partitions or separators which are used in corrugated boxes with
shrink film as it serves the same purpose at half the cost.’
bottles contributed to the need for transporting them in bulk. Further, Manjushree sees growing demand of in-mold labels and has
The bulk transportation of PET bottles was earlier carried out in been working with machine suppliers to customize label applicators
corrugated boxes is currently witnessing a great demand for shrink for efficient application of in-mold labels. The company worked with
film packaging to replace the boxes. Shrink film packaging guarantees Dabur, for instance, for shifting Sanifresh bottles from pressure-sen-
protection against moisture, dirt, dust and theft. It offers perfect sitive labels to in-mold labels. That was the first time in India that
stackability and maximizes loading capacity. Shrink film serves the IML technology was used on bottles’ angular neck. The company is
same purpose of holding several product packs or bottles together not printing in-mold labels in-house, as Kedia explains: ‘Label printing
and costs one-third of corrugated boxes while also improving the requires a different DNA and Manjushree’s expertise lies in rigid
aesthetic appeal of packaging.’ packaging.’
The shrink film plant is equipped with new generation multi layer With wider product portfolio, the company is now focusing on
blown film line from German manufacturer Reifenhauser. It is capable exports in the Middle East, Africa and other markets in Europe. It
of producing high quality shrink film consistently with a production is already exporting its products to these markets and will open
capacity of 450 tons a month. Currently, the machine ¬produces marketing offices in Middle East and Africa by January 2018.
about 16 tons of 60-micron film every day. However, the production Manjushree eventually foresees the opening of a factory in one of
varies depending on the micron of the film produced, as the company these regions in the future.
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Manjushree Technopack | 67
New factory in north east India

Manjushree has opened a new plant in Guwahati earlier this
year. This is the company’s sixth plant in the country that will
manufacture PET containers for food, pharmaceuticals, personal
care, home care, liquor, oil and beverages; PP containers for
foods and personal care and home care; HDPE containers for
personal care, home care and other related industries; as well as
manufacture ISBM.
The plant is spread across an area of 45,000 sq ft (4,200 sqm).
With the production capacity of 40,000 metric tons per annum,
this plant will cater to the demand in Assam, West Bengal, Sikkim
and other north eastern markets. ‘As the unit is based in Guwahati,
there is a certain logistics advantage. The market is in vicinity of
Guwahati and the transit time to target market is around two to
Aerial view of Bidadi factory
three days,’ says Vimal Kedia, managing director at Manjushree
ERP and automation Technopack.
To better manage its large operations, Manjushree has implemented On the location of the new plant, Kedia says: ‘Most multinational
ERP for production, supply chain management and finance. The companies are moving to Guwahati to benefit from the
government subsidy. Many of our existing customers are setting up
company uses Microsoft Navison ERP system executed by Flexibiz
plants to cater to existing and new markets in north-eastern India
ERP.
as well so we saw it as a good opportunity to set up a plant.’
Kedia explains that the ERP has helped Manjushree to extract
value and data on time. ‘It has helped the company in harnessing
data analytics to analyze sales. ERP has also helped us in predicting However, the ROI is extended due to heavy investments,’ says Kedia.
requirement and align actions according to prediction. It provides Manjushree is evaluating a system for automatically placing and
information on time and has improved the company’s forecasting packing bottles inside a carton without human intervention, adapting
ability as well as monitoring capabilities.’ to the trends of Industry 4.0
The company is standardizing its equipment and suppliers to
achieve more efficiency. Automation has helped the company reduce
For more information on Manjushree Technopack,
manpower requirements and avoid customer complaints. ‘There
visit http://manjushreeindia.com/
is five to seven percent increased productivity with automation.
January 2018
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Fujifilm Sericol India | 69
A small flexo machine to test ink

before despatching to customers
Rajesh Gandhi, general sales

Fujifilm Sericol plant in Pune manager at Fujifilm Sericol India
Fujifilm Sericol sees growth in India

While catering to niche markets with specialty inks, Fujifilm Sericol India is focused on increasing its market share in UV flexo inks for
the narrow web industry. Aakriti Agarwal reports
F
ujifilm Sericol India is a 100 percent Boutique company color matching facilities at its office in Pune
owned subsidiary of Fujifilm Ink Fujifilm Sericol India manufactures UV-, and Delhi. ‘The new centers are expected
Solutions UK, formerly Fujifilm Sericol solvent- and water-based screen inks; wide to be operational by December 2017. The
International, which is a subsidiary of the 25 format inkjet inks for UV as well as solvent factory in Pune will make base color stocks
billion USD Fujifilm Holding Corporation of applications; inks for graphics and signage; that will be sent to these centers. Here, ink
Japan. Fujifilm Sericol, as a group, has been direct container inks; acid resistant inks; UV will be blended and tested as per customer
manufacturing solvent and UV inks for more narrow web inks and varnishes for narrow requirement and dispatched at shorter lead
than six decades. web flexo as well as letterpress machines; time,’ says Gandhi.
‘Consumption of UV flexo and letterpress UV offset inks and varnishes for packaging; Turning to the Indian narrow web market,
inks in the Indian narrow web market is about and inks for printing shrink sleeves. To test Gandhi says: ‘The Indian label industry is
1,000 to 1,200 metric tons per annum, which inks before dispatching, the plant houses a growing fast at 15 to 20 percent per annum.
amounts to around 120 crore INR [18.5m fully equipped R&D facility recognized by the Our company is fully committed to invest
USD] of UV inks. We have a market share Indian government’s Department of Scientific adequately in all necessary resources to
of around 12 percent of this market in the & Industrial Research (DSIR). Fujifilm Sericol rapidly grow our market share in the UV flexo
country,’ estimates Rajesh Gandhi, general also manufactures Phthalate- and PVC-free market segment.’
sales manager at Fujifilm Sericol India. inks for textile companies and has a separate
Fujifilm Sericol India was incorporated quality control and R&D center for these. Fujifilm Sericol will exhibit at
in 1996 and is an ISO 9001:2015, ISO The company evolved as a boutique Labelexpo India on November
14001:2015 and OSHAS 18001:2007 ink company that makes low volume but 22-25, 2018. Go to www.labelex-
accredited company. A leading supplier of high value inks. ‘We are focused on offering po-india.com for more information
screen inks in India for many years, it has now specialized ink so our smallest SKU is one
become a major player in the narrow web ink kilo based on customer requirement,’ says
industry. Gandhi. ‘Some label applications require Fujifilm 3000 Series
The company saw growth in the narrow ink to remain perfect even if the product is
web industry when the population of UV flexo outdoors for a few years. We have equipment LED flexo ink
printers started growing and the demand for in-house to test the outdoor durability of ink.
Fujifilm, a regular participant at Labelexpo
UV inks increased significantly. Uvivid JD UV So, ink is aged and tested before we supply to
Europe, launched Fujifilm 3000 Series LED
flexo inks were initially imported from its customers. Likewise, we have the capability to
flexo ink at the show in September 2017.
parent company in the UK. With increasing make different kind of specialty inks.’
It is a LED cure flexo ink system that
demand, the company installed new However, specialized inks are expensive
performs equally well under LED curing
machinery, increased capacity and expanded because of pigment costs, and are supplied by
or conventional UV Arc curing. Fujifilm
infrastructure to start manufacturing UV flexo few companies. ‘Brand owners don’t always
3000 Series delivers good adhesion to
inks at its Sanaswadi plant near Pune in 2016. want to pay extra so the demand is very
all film and paper substrates and can
‘We have grown in the Indian market so we small. With more anti-counterfeiting and
be used for shrink applications without
decided to manufacture UV flexo inks locally security features requested on products, this
adding chill rollers to the press. The full
and pass on the benefit to the customer. We is beginning to change,’ says Gandhi.
ink line includes process colors, line colors,
now cater to the market more efficiently,’ says Fujifilm Sericol is establishing color matching colors and Fujifilm’s Supernova
Gandhi. matching centers for UV flexo and screen White and varnishes.
inks in Mumbai and Chennai. It already has
January 2018
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Avery Dennison India | 71
L-R: Roland Simon, Darren Milligan, Georges Gravanis, Pankaj Bhardwaj, Sailesh Kapur, Anil
Sharma and Hassan Husein Rmaile from Avery Dennison inaugurating the new ADIKC in Pune
Avery Dennison opens new center in Pune

The new Innovation and Knowledge Center caters to printers’ and brand owners’ training and product development requirements.
Aakriti Agarwal reports
A Training modules at ADIKC

very Dennison has inaugurated its Innovation and Knowledge
Center in Pune, India, which will support customers, partners
and employees across South Asia Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa The Avery Dennison Innovation and Knowledge Center runs three
(SAPSSA) with knowledge sharing and certification programs. modules for label printers. First is a standard module that is run for
Darren Milligan, senior marketing director, SAPSSA at Avery two days, the second is an advanced training program where one
Dennison, explains: ‘The Avery Dennison Innovation and Knowledge subject is chosen according to printer requirement and an in-depth
Center is made up of two key centers. The Knowledge Center, in knowledge is imparted on that subject, and the third is customized
collaboration with our industry partners, is an end-to-end training program where Avery Dennison listens to converter’s requirements
facility across both conventional and digital platforms. The Innovation and develops a program to suit their needs.
Center features a highly qualified and connected research and Another program is targeted at end users and packaging
development team with material science and analytical capability. professionals. The center helps them understand how a design on
Our investment to integrate these two centers into a single location a bottle looks and how to envisage a future design for the product.
will accelerate our product development and ability to deliver faster The center also gives them an understanding of how pressure-sen-
solutions to meet customers’ requirements.’ sitive labels function so they better appreciate the technology.
The site houses machinery from various supplier partners including
HP Indigo, Gallus, Flint Group, DuPont and Esko, among others. It also
includes wide format printing equipment to cater to the expanding printers ask. They make themselves heard and we convert that insight
graphic arts industry. into a plausible product,’ Bhardwaj adds.
‘The emphasis is on providing the complete experience to clients,’
“They make themselves heard and we continues Sharma. ‘This center will continue to expand the industry
with its synergies, provide best quality analytics and product
convert that insight into a plausible product” development capability. We also have a social agenda to train
‘We are in advanced discussion with few new partners to help young kids and offer skilled workforce to the industry. This center
enable us to impart resources and knowledge for imparting education complements our vision and will help us expand industry capability in
on in variable information printing technology,’ says Pankaj Bhardwaj, the entire region.’
senior director and general manager, Labels and Graphic Materials, Concluding by reinforcing the need of the hour in the Indian market,
South Asia at Avery Dennison. ‘As technology changes, we will further Bhardwaj says: ‘We are at a time when the Indian economy is poised
look at getting in newer technologies and machines.’ to grow very fast and so the consumption of labels will increase. The
Anil Sharma, vice president and general manager, Label and Graphic pressure-sensitive label penetration in India is relatively lower than
Materials, Avery Dennison, SAPSSA, says: ‘We are expanding not only other countries and so there is enough headroom to expand which
labels but also printing technology that cuts across the entire space so can be done when all label printers in the country work in tandem.
we have both flexo and digital printing processes. In digital technology, Avery Dennison is making efforts in that direction. We have dedicated
we are looking at materials specific to graphics as well as digital and business development people who educate printers on benefits of
packaging industry.’ With a Gallus ECS 340 flexo press and HP Indigo converting to pressure-sensitive labels. However, it is important for
WS 6600 digital label press, the Center is now equipped to develop existing label printers to further educate fellow printers to grow this
prototypes of new labelstock and adhesives, and test them on a press industry. Printers need to focus on increasing the industry size.’
in-house.
The label converting facility at the center is primarily being used For more on Avery Dennison’s global investment program in
for training, product benchmarking and product development. ‘The 2017, go to: www.labelsandlabeling.com/features/latest/av-
material science lab helps us research the wide range of questions ery-dennison-completes-global-investment-round
January 2018
HP Indigo Indonesia | 73
Andy Yusuf, country manager at HP Indigo & Pagewide Web Press,

Graphic Solutions Business in Indonesia, presenting at a seminar in Jakarta HP demo center in Jakarta
HP Indigo opens demo

center in Jakarta
The new site – hosted by HP Indigo’s local channel partner in Indonesia – houses a WS-series and commercial press.
Aakriti Agarwal reports
P “Asian millennials will

T Samafitro, a distributor of graphic
arts printing equipment and HP Indigo’s
channel partner in Indonesia, opened a have more spending The Indonesian market
demo center in Jakarta in August 2017 which
Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP)
houses an HP Indigo WS6800 digital press power than any previous growth in 2016-17 fiscal was 4.9 percent
and an HP Indigo commercial press.
‘It’s a multifunctional demo center used for generation, estimated and is expected to be 5.5 percent this
year. Henky Wibawa, executive director at
marketing, education and training activities,’
says Andy Yusuf Hendrojono, country at six trillion USD in Indonesian Packaging Federation (IPF) and
a smart packaging consultant, says: ‘Half
manager of HP Indigo & Pagewide Web Press,
Graphic Solutions Business in Indonesia. ‘We disposable income by of this growth is coming from consumer
goods so it’s a very important sector for
want to demonstrate the versatility of HP
Indigo technology as it can print on varied
2020” packaging growth. Our total packaging
turnover in the last financial year was 6.2
substrates for different applications such than just price or run lengths. It is about billion USD. I expect six to seven percent
as pressure-sensitive labels, in-mold labels, making an emotional connection with growth in packaging this year and expect
shrink sleeves and folding cartons. We are also consumers. This is coupled with minimum the figure to touch 6.65 billion USD. The
using the center to educate converters about down time, fast make ready, low set-up label packaging market in Indonesia stands
the advantages of digital printing.’ time, and simplifying the supply chain. With at 700 to 800 million USD of which, 40
Additionally, the demo center showcases e-commerce on the rise, digital printing percent is contributed by pressure-sensi-
HP PrintOS, a cloud-based software to help technology is expected to grow in Indonesia,’ tive labels. There are an estimated 70 to
improve the operations of commercial and Hendrojono continues. 80 label printers in the country with UV
industrial printers. Alongside, HP Indigo ‘Digital technology adoption is embraced flexo and offset letterpress machines.’
demonstrates the advantages of collaboration by the growing millennial population. They
by partnering with companies for substrates demand customization and there is a need for
and finishing systems, amongst other greater self-expression both in the online and
technology. offline world. This makes digital print more and around 300 operating in the label and
relevant. Millennials now represent more than packaging industry. ‘HP collaborates actively
Digital potential 45 percent of the region’s population with 60 with global and local brand owners, industry
Talking of the scope of digital printing in the percent of the world’s millennials expected leaders and associations to conduct seminars,
country, Hendrojono says, ‘Indonesia has a lot to live in Asia by 2020. Asian millennials demo and training sessions and improve its
of gravure presses and the businesses have will have more spending power than any ability to communicate with customers using
now started to shift to flexography. As for previous generation, estimated at six trillion digital print.’
digital printing, some players are beginning to USD in disposable income by 2020, showing
adopt the technology, and some others are the growth potential in Southeast Asia,’ says For more news from the region,
still evaluating investment while observing Hendrojono. subscribe to Label News Southeast
the market dynamics and demand.’ Hendrojono estimates at in Indonesia Asia e-newsletter at www.labelsand-
‘Digital printing is now becoming more there are at least 2,500 commercial printers labeling.com/subscribe-ll
January 2018
Sustainable labels in Africa | 75
Sustainable labels in Africa

In an unprecedented collaborative effort,Woolworths, Avery Dennison and Rotolabel have jointly put the FSC seal of approval on labeling
materials. Gill Loubser reports
M
arking an African first, stakeholders in the sustainability As part of this philosophy, he adds, paper is purchased from
chain have come together to help retailers, brand owners suppliers who source them from reputable mills using only
and consumers fulfil their preferences for choosing paper responsible forestry practices.
products – in this case paper-based pressure-sensitive labelstock – ‘At Rotolabel we pride ourselves on doing the right thing,’ says
sourced from responsibly-managed forests. Watson. ‘Underlining this culture, our Forest Stewardship Council
Pushing this worthwhile initiative from the retail aspect was (FSC-C119866) certification joins other key certifications such as
Woolworths Foods Good Business Journey specialist, Tom McLaughlin, Quality Management System (ISO 9001: 2008) and Food Safety
well-known in packaging circles for his uncompromising stance Management System (ISO 22000: 2005).’
on all matters environmental. The Rotolabel team, led by sales Paper is an important raw material for Avery Dennison, and
director Grant Watson, was equally clear in its intent – as printers of the company is committed to sourcing pulp and paper materials
paper-based labels supplied to many of Woolworths’ suppliers, they sustainably. ‘Though we don’t own or manage forests, we support the
joined the project to underline the company’s environmental policy. use of sustainable forest management practices,’ explains Mark Ellis.
The third player was Avery Dennison, with Mark Ellis, commercial ‘We also promote the use of certified fiber in our products and have
director, and Andrew Zwicky, sales manager, representing this attained FSC chain-of-custody certifications for 49 Avery Dennison
part of the triumvirate. And the glue holding the project together facilities in Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America,
was FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)’s sub-regional coordinator, providing third-party assurance to our customers that fiber was
Southern Africa, Manushka Moodley. Recently, they came together at sourced from responsibly managed forests.’
Rotolabel’s plant in Cape Town, South Africa, to commemorate their
pact and celebrate this innovative industry collaboration. For more from Gill Loubser on the African market, go to
www.labelsandlabeling.com/author/gill-loubser
The starting point
It all started with Woolworths Good Business Journey. As outlined by
Tom McLaughlin, a key component of this much-vaunted mission
statement is the retailer’s dedication to selling products that cause Responsible forest management
minimum harm to the natural environment, that help to maintain The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-governmen-
biodiversity and improve the lives of workers throughout the tal, non-profit organization that promotes the responsible
supply chain. Inter alia, this includes recognizing the environmental management of the world’s forests.
imperative of safeguarding the world’s remaining ancient and To earn FSC certification and the right to use the FSC label, an
endangered forests, and the role played by reducing deforestation and organization must conform to all applicable FSC requirements,
forest degradation in mitigating climate change. often requiring adaptation of management and operations.
‘We look for ways to work with our suppliers and NGO partners ‘Currently,’ says Manushka Moodley, F SC’s sub-regional
to ensure that products (such as paper) are sustainably sourced,’ coordinator, Southern Africa, ‘almost 200 million hectares of
McLaughlin explains. ‘We’re committed to reducing, and eventually forest are FSC-certified in more than 80 countries, an increase of
removing, deforestation and forest degradation from any of our 50 million hectares in the past three years. This unprecedented
operations and supply chains.’ growth rate is a response to pressing market demand for
As a market leader in label printing, Rotolabel was keen to join the FSC-certified products. This, in turn, affects forests in a positive
initiative, recognizing a critical need to invest in an environmentally way by driving demand for improved forestry practices and
sustainable future. recognition for independent review.’
‘We incorporate environmentally-responsible practices in all levels The FSC logo on product labels has become the globally trusted
of our business,’ says Grant Watson. ‘For instance, we reduce the use mark for businesses and consumers. A local study by Tetra Pak
of precious resources through efficient practices; we reuse materials showed that 63 percent of South Africans believe that people pay
wherever possible; and we recycle operational by-products or waste attention to environmental logos, placing South Africans ahead of
where efficient recycling methods are available.’ their counterparts in India, China, the UK and Turkey.
Manushka Moodley, FSC’s sub-regional coordinator, Southern Africa

L-R: Andrew Zwicky of Avery Dennison, Tom McLaughlin of Woolworths, (second from left), and Tom McLaughlin of Woolworths (third from left)
Mark Ellis of Avery Dennison and Grant Watson of Rotolabel represented with members of the Rotolabel team – account managers Nicholette
the triumvirate of companies involved in this worthy initiative Brand and Cathy Norcsia, and sales director Grant Watson
January 2018
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Label Power | 77
Label Power’s 1,500sqm Acacia Ridge factory
Australia’s foremost ‘hybrid’ label

company celebrates 20th anniversary
Henry Mendelson reports from Australian converter Label Power
J
anuary 21, 1997 was an auspicious date Labels via McCollam/Bluestar. factory. Not that spare space was long to
for Australia’s label industry. One of that That labels had become part of his represent a problem, given the purchase that
day’s hopeful immigrants from New everyday bread and butter was in evidence year of a 6-color UV flexo Mark Andy press, a
Zealand would transform this country’s label soon after Malone’s arrival in Brisbane, in major move for the fledgling Label Power. The
marketing into an entirely new category: a the form of a four-man partnership focused company’s market penetration and progress
manufacturing facility linked to specialist on a 2-color 10in web width Mark Andy soon proved the need to convert the new
equipment distribution. The ultimate hybrid. water-based flexo press which is, amazingly, press into an 8-color powerhouse.
Hence today, with the first 20 years behind still operational today, albeit as a 4-color unit. By the early years of the new century,
it and anticipating to what he refers as its A mere two years later, thanks to a friendly urban sprawl forced yet another move,
‘20/20 goal’, James Malone’s Label Power can this time abjuring the rental market by the
confidently go to market under the banner “High quality labels with purchase of its current 1,500sqm Acacia Ridge
of ‘We print labels and tags or supply you a factory. Asked whether this represented the
solution so you can print your own’. embossing or screen should end of constant production space upgrades,
It is a matter of record that Label Power was Malone confirms that in the absence of any
one of Australia’s early companies, if not the
be available from Australian further capacity potential at West End, new
first to focus on full color desktop roll-to-roll owned and operated premises are being considered.
label printing. Its current portfolio includes
Epson, VIP Colour and Primera. In addition it
sources and not merely from
represents a wide range of labeling software multinationals”
packages and recently has been bundling DPR
Scorpio’s digital laminator/die-cutter/slitter bank manager, Malone was able to buy out
rewinder with the VIP Color VP700 to enable his three partners and his solo CEO career
small to medium size print shops to supply was off and running. And while today the
any size or shape full color labels on demand. company’s product output ranges across
A recent move by Honeywell to buy Datamax virtually all aspects of the label spectrum, the
and Internec has added this powerful brand early years were confined to producing in the
name to Label Power’s impressive inventory of main blank 1- and 2-color self-adhesive labels
representations. with a focus on the VIP market. Already those
early years witnessed his vision to involve
Everyday bread and butter sales of labeling software, ribbons, thermal
The distinctive aura of label printing ink and thermal transfer printers from Datamax
was probably predominant already in the and Zebra.
nursery of the one-year old Malone, whose Inevitably, the ever-growing inventory
parents had established All Mark Industries and market penetration began calling for
in Auckland, where James gained his early larger manufacturing premises and the end James Malone checking work from an MPS
press with Chaz Tamatea, one of the company’s
exposure to label making. The 1970s pioneer of the 1990s saw the move into a seemingly apprentices who is now a fully qualified press
All Mark later translated into today’s Rapid luxurious spacious Brisbane’s West End operator at Label Power
January 2018
78 | Label Power
Top left: An example Series 2 Digicons. Crystal balling

of output of Label Commenting on Notwithstanding the apprentice glitch,
Power’s HP indigo press,
incorporating flatbed these bold expansion along with most people in today’s Australian
embossing and matt and moves which have label market Malone views the future with
gloss UV varnish coincided with a 30 realism and down-to-earth rationales. As a
Top right: Managing percent boost to small-to-medium size private company, he
director James Malone
Label Power’s work foreshadows Label Power’s investment in
and Label Power’s HP
Indigo WS6800 press force, Malone says: people and plant aiming for what he describes
operator Dean Rush ‘High quality labels as a 20/20 goal – $20 million AUD (15.23m
Left: Label Power MD with embossing USD) turnover by the year 2020. On the
James Malone with two or screen should future of the industry, he contends that the
GCC operatives, showing
the certificate be available from recent spate of private company takeovers
Australian owned by multinationals is ‘a shame’. However, he
and operated sources and not merely from contends the trend delivers opportunities for
multinationals’. the remaining private companies, provided
It is a mark of the man and his company’s they are innovative and proactive.
sense of responsibility toward its industry As to major industry developments in the
‘To allow wider market coverage and that Malone has often said that, having coming years, Malone surmises that ‘with
quicker turnaround to customers, the next recently graduated an apprentice, it would desktop color inkjet label printers reaching
move could even be in a different state,’ he welcome the opportunity to employ more. new levels of quality and inkjet receptive
explains. Regrettably it would seem that in Brisbane labelstocks coming down in price, expect
at least, attracting suitable young people to to see inkjet competing with the small
Getting digitally serious an industry which is dramatically turning transfer and recent pigment inks on desktop
While its early years saw Label Power retain digital by the day appears to be a hurdle of roll-to-roll models, offering durability, quality
its loyalty to the flexo market in general and considerable heights. and UV fade resistance not previously seen.’
to Mark Andy in particular, much market (and It is equally a mark of the company that ‘Furthermore, UV Inkjet is coming on in
soul) searching finally saw the company make its forays into the market are underpinned leaps and bounds but still without the same
the first serious commitment to digital trends by authentication by relevant industry quality as the digital offset offer from HP
with the purchase in 2013 of its initial HP standards. Examples include its emphasis Indigo,’ he continues.
Indigo label press, becoming one of the first on food packaging for which Label Power’s In addition, Malone sees one of the
printing companies in the region to introduce beverage, meat and other food labels are biggest developments in the offing as laser
the HP Indigo linked to a AB Graphic Digicon now manufactured in a fully HACCP-certified die-cutting. As Australian distributor for GCC,
finishing line. facility, a systematic preventive approach to he expounds the Taiwanese company’s Label
In addition to the HP Indigo move, the food safety and pharmaceutical safety that Express as a roll-to-roll laser die-cutting
company also employs a Primera CX1200 identifies physical, chemical, and biological machine that will cut, strip and slit labels
and FX1200 for its short run requirements, hazards in production processes. As a major up to 380mm wide on web widths of up to
a component of the Primera range of color label and tag supplier to Australian food 400mm.
inkjet and laser printers which Label Power industries, it was essential for Label Power to Having resolutely and responsibly navigated
itself has been bringing to market since the invest in developing systems and procedures the past 20 years of print industry changes
early 2000s. The success of these moves has to enable HACCP certification. In addition, with considerable success, the Label Power
been highlighted by significant resultant Label Power’s ongoing commitment to quality CEO maintains he is looking forward to
market acceptance and growth, prompting products and service is now backed by the sharing the next 20 with his peers. With more
the latest upgrade – in 2015 – to a brand NATA Certification Services International’s Malones in the driving seat, it should make for
new HP WS6800 with in-line priming, which Q-Base Quality Assurance Program. an interesting journey.
is currently operating two shifts. If that year Equally, its industry responsibility was
marked an investment of such magnitude, the quickly in evidence in the merger of the Flexo
high water mark was attained one year later Industry Association with LATMA earlier For more from Henry Mendelson
when major equipment upgrades took place, this year to establish a new combined body on the Oceania market, go to www.
including an 8-color MPS EF330 Servo flexo (FPLMA), of which Label Power was an early labelsandlabeling.com/author/hen-
with screen and cold foil and two AB Graphic member. ry-mendelson
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Pet food | 81
Satisfying the pet food market

The pet food market, and the application of labels and packaging, is fast-moving and dynamic. David Pittman reports
T
he world is full of animal lovers. The Europe, according to what’s required. Due to
UK pet population stands at around 54 the nature of our product here at Natures Digital win
million with 44 percent of households Menu, we require freezer stable, barrier proof
Filip Weymans, vice president of global
having pets, according to the Pet Food material. The quality of our packaging is of
marketing at Xeikon, describes the
Manufacturers’ Association. The US pet food utmost importance in terms of ensuring
company’s wider web Xeikon CX500 dry
market is expected to top 30 billion USD in the material stays intact during the freezing toner press as having particular relevance
2022, with a CAGR of 3.36 percent between process, whilst maintaining a correct and to end-use markets such as pet food,
2017 and 2022, according to Zion Market stand-out look for the brand. Clarity of where the ability to produce larger labels is
Research. printing is also key in order to maintain brand ‘particularly important’.
In Asia-Pacific, pet food and related identity and display ingredients clearly.’ ‑‑‑ PeterLynn is a Xeikon digital press user,
products are predicted to be worth 17 billion and produces jobs for pet food accounts
USD in 2022, according to Euromonitor
International, with dog and cat food
“Raw feeding is exclusively using the process. It also
operates flexo presses, but digital is seen
representing 72 percent of the total pet care
market in the region at that time. China will
exploding, much in as a better fit for its pet food accounts.
‘Pet food is a fast-moving, dynamic
show the strongest CAGR value during the the same way as market,’ says Vicky Waine, sales and
2017-2022 period at 21 percent. Product
launches in Asia are expected to prioritize microbrewing has” marketing manager. ‘We have recently
completed an order for 212,000 large
quality and ingredients, with premiumization labels, around 11,000 meters, for a raw
to be more prominent in 2022. Supply chain investment feeding company. That’s a big order a for a
This is reflected in labels and packaging. Developments along the supply chain provide digital print run, but it fits well as the job
‘Producers are investing in high-quality specific characteristics applicable to the pet included 19 SKUs, which would require a
artwork as they know that their label food market. Uflex has launched Flexpet lot of plates if printing using four colors.
represents their brand and therefore must F-PGB-12, a super barrier polyester film There’s also special releases, such as a
work effectively as a marketing tool,’ says offering enhanced oxygen transmission rate turkey Christmas dinner version in time
Vicky Waine, sales and marketing manager at (OTR) properties. Toray Plastics (America) for the holiday season.’ PeterLynn can also
printer PeterLynn. has developed the Lumirror MK61HB and handle batching of runs, data that would
Raw feeding – the practice of feeding PA1HB barrier coated polyester films, otherwise have to be overprinted.
domestic dogs and cats a diet of uncooked offering oxygen, moisture and aroma
meat, edible bones and organs – is one barrier protection. Sun Chemical and acpo
segment of the pet food market working extending their joint offering for flexible packaging used on foods and pet foods
towards premium labels and packaging. packaging converting also has relevance to labeled natural or organic.
Waine sees raw feeding ‘exploding, much in the pet food market. These products combine Comexi’s S1 MS slitter rewinder has a new
the same way as microbrewing has’, adding: acpo’s self-wound films and Sun Chemical’s mono-shaft system that allows work with
‘As it is a more expensive, premium choice, SunBar Aerobloc oxygen barrier coatings. The large reels of paper, cardboard, self-adhesive
the market is looking for more unusual companies said this allows any label printer tapes, aluminum, BOPP and other laminated
specifications and materials. Similarly to craft with a lamination unit to print and convert materials that have a certain degree of
beverages, the market has become flooded so these films into pouches, bags or roll stock, rigidity or won’t easily stretch with tension,
they are looking for ways to stand out, using for packaging oxygen-sensitive products, such such as the materials used for pet food.
special materials, foils and textured varnishes.’ as pet food. US converter AWT Labels & Packaging has
Natures Menu is a UK specialist in raw Ashland has received US patent 9,539,795 installed a 52in 10-color W&H Miraflex CI
and natural pet food. Its label and packaging for its PureKote 23589 dispersion and flexo press to grow its complex film structure
requirements extend from labels, flexible PureKote 21412A cross-linking agent coating business in existing market segments and
packaging and pre-made pouches, to system. The technology tandem creates a expand into the pet foods and gourmet
folding cartons. Rachel Ashforth, purchasing coating for flexible packaging that is water coffee segments.
and planning manager at Natures Menu, and scuff resistant. It also improves consumer
comments: ‘[We] use multiple suppliers appeal with soft-touch feel and matte finish. See www.labelsandlabeling.com/
specializing in each area across the UK and PureKote coating is said to be suitable for news/new-products for innovations
relevant to this and other label and
Natures Menu’s label and packaging requirements
extend from translation labels, flexible packaging packaging end-use markets
and pre-made pouches, to folding cartons
January 2018














 

 
 
History of anilox volume measurement | 83
The history of anilox

volume measurement
Anilox volume is one of the main reasons for density variation on press during set-up, writes Phil Hall, managing director
of Troika Systems
M
ost flexographic printers, whether narrow In the example pictured, if the sharp Many manufacturers developed their
web, wide web or corrugated, have pyramid were accurately measured at own method of liquid volume checking,
experienced the frustration of time and 3 volume, the flattened straight cut cell however they needed a reference point
material wastage with prolonged press set-up to would have a volume of over 8 volume, from which to use when stating the
achieve the correct densities required for jobs. the middle flattened-pyramid, which is volume of the aniloxes. If they had done
It appears to be standard procedure to blame first comparable to the early ceramic engraved their calculations on the sharp cell above,
the ink or what the ink technicians have done, then cells, would have a volume (if measured that volume would be very different to
the doctor blade set-up, the substrate and the plates; accurately) of approximately 6 volume. those that made their reference from the
finally, when all else fails, to consider the aniloxes. Measurements with a large variation normal cell, and certainly very different
The condition and actual volume of the anilox in readings were good enough at that from the U-Shape straight cut, wide
needs to be known to minimize press set-up time time, simply because flexo was still in its bottom cell example. This explains why
and cost. Accurate anilox volume measurement is a evolutionary stages and certainly nowhere there can be a very real difference in the
recent part of the evolution of flexographic printing, near the quality we have today. ink carrying capacity of aniloxes from
which in reality was never possible historically. different manufacturers, despite the
This article does not discuss the measurement aniloxes document stating they are of the
of screen count (LPI or LPCM) or the screen angles The condition and same volume.
or cell shapes, which can be hexagonal, elongated
hex or an open cell structures (ie tri-helical or Apex actual volume of the
GTT) – all of which are easily measured with the
AniCAM and Anilox QC software, and should be
anilox needs to be
checked when receiving new aniloxes from the
manufacturers for possible errors in manufacturing
known to minimize
which will cause many hours of frustration and press set-up time
lost production time and waste if not found before
running on press. and cost
History of volume measurement methods As time progressed, laser ablating of
The methods of volumetric measurement on laser longer lasting ceramic aniloxes was a real
ablated ceramic rolls, as with any science, has step forward in anilox manufacturing. This
progressively developed and evolved into something allowed the evolution of higher screen
that can now be described as accurate. counts and hexagonal cell structures
Originally the measurement method was, quite (30 and 60 degree) also over time the
naturally, copied from the mechanically engraved evolution of complex open cell structures,
charts where the screen count and the opening of all of which have really advanced the
the cell was easily established. Knowing the angles quality of flexo printing.
of the engraving tool, the volume was calculated With laser engraving all anilox
using trigonometric formulae. manufacturers had to evolve their
In the early days of anilox measurement most measurement system from the simple
anilox engravers used a chart to give an indication chart method of volume measurement to
of the cell volume. However, there can be a large a more sophisticated method. This was the
difference in volumes due to the shape of the cells. Liquid Volume - Ink drawdown method. Phill Hall, MD
of Troika Systems
CELL SHAPES
X X
Y
SHARP PYRAMID Y SHARP CELL
(Opening to depth ratio of 3:1)
X X
Y
FLATTENED PYRAMID Y
NORMAL CELL
X X
Y
FLATTENED PYRAMID, Y
U-SHAPE STRAIGHT
STRAIGHT CUT CUT, WIDE BOTTOM
January 2018
84 | History of anilox volume measurement
LPI/LPCM Minimum Maximum Percentage difference between

cm3/m2 reading cm3/m2 reading manufacturers readings
Band 1 1200/500 1,70 2,80 65%
Band 2 1000/400 2,63 4,00 52%
Band 3 800/320 1,99 4,80 141%
Band 4 700/280 4.,50 8,30 84%
Band 5 500/200 5.,12 9,80 91%
Band 6 400/160 6,25 12,80 105%
Band 7 300/120 8.,15 12,40 52%
Band 8 250/100 10,60 15,30 44%
Band 9 200/80 14,80 18,90 28%
Band 10 180/70 13,90 20,92 51%
Band 11 150/60 16,70 27,50 65%
Liquid Volume - Ink drawdown method were only able to achieve a minimum 16
While the Liquid Volume test was the first percent variations in their measurements
positive step towards attempting to improve on a 5-banded master roll, and when
volumetric measurement and was adapted similar tests were carried out at another
“The evolution of anilox by many anilox manufacturers as described
above it certainly could not claim to be an
international anilox manufacturer using
six experienced operators on a banded
manufacturing has accurate or consistent method of volumetric roll, the best results still showed a
measurement. variation of 14 percent. These variations
bought many advantages It attempted to follow a similar process to are beyond what is acceptable as
to all users: they are the press by dispensing a known amount of
ink which was spread by a doctor blade onto
measurement variations today.
now produced to a high the anilox. The area the ink spread over was • If the anilox has been through a cleaning
measured in square millimeters, and using the bath it needs to cool down to room
standard of consistency formulae of ink volume/square area (cm3/ temperature before measurements can
m2 or BCM/inch2) a volume was calculated. be taken, if it is warm the ink used for the
and repeatability which Whilst this method was a positive step measurements evaporates and gives very
was not possible even a forward over the original mechanical method
of volumetric calculation, it is prone to many
inaccurate readings.
decade ago” opportunities for errors as follows: • This method is not suitable to measure
open cell structures such as tri-helical
• If the ink density is not absolutely or other complex open cell structures
This difference was proven in research constant variations in measurement because it simply flows out of the open
carried out by Troika Systems in 2007, when will occur. Therefore, if there is a density cell structures and does not fill the cells
a banded roll with 12 engravings from difference between the pots of ink, or the as needed for this kind of measurement.
100-1200 LPI was taken to 15 different ink in the pots evaporate at all during use,
anilox manufacturers, in Europe and North a very real variation in measurements is Therefore, it is not surprising that when
America, to be measured by them using the seen. anilox manufacturers were taking their
measurement method they were using at that measurements using Liquid Volume test
time. • Studies have shown very significant method (nicknamed ‘Squirt and Scrape’
The results shown on the chart variations between operators. In October method by some users) printers found they
demonstrate the maximum and minimum 2010, at Clemson University in North would get different densities from anilox
volumes stated by the manufacturers. With Carolina, the American FTA carried out a which were stated to be of the same volume.
these significant variations on each band it is gauge repeatability and reliability (R&R) Fortunately very few anilox manufacturers
no wonder converters have such elongated study on the variety of rolls measured use this method today.
press set-up times and so much waste. Nor is which had different circumferences and
it a surprise that coating companies waste so different screen counts. The study, done Digital methods of anilox cell volumetric
much solution when they have so little idea of under controlled conditions, showed measurement
what the actual solution carrying capacity is average variations of in excess of ±10 Fortunately, towards the end of the
on their rollers. percent using the Liquid Volume method 1990s electronic systems of volumetric
As higher anilox screens and new elongated of measurement. Which meant that measurement started to evolve. These used
cells and open cell structures evolved, the a 5 volume anilox was measured at interferometric measurements and gave
need for volume measurement could not anything between 4.5 to 5.5 volume; far good reliable readings but are very vibration
be done by conventional methods and beyond the requirements printers need sensitive, expensive and would not survive
measurement systems had to evolve. This to manage their aniloxes for optimal long in the print shop environment, so were
variation between what should have been productivity and minimizing set-up impractical for converters.
comparable aniloxes has been very costly to waste. It is interesting to note that at From 2005 the Troika AniCAM with the
all flexo printers from the smallest of narrow subsequent tests at one global anilox Anilox QC made its first appearance and over
web to the huge corrugated sites. It was time manufacturer, eight of their competent the years evolved to meet the demands of
to help them save costs and time. and experienced Liquid Volume users the large print groups who recognized what
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86 | History of anilox volume measurement
“This is not the end of

the story. There are some
interesting developments
on the horizon with different
materials being used in the
production of aniloxes”
equipment proved with the use of high-end historic values used by the 38 plus anilox
digital analysis using laboratory interferome- manufacturers around the world. It would be
ters the volume of cells. very difficult for the anilox manufacturers to
In comparative tests between the high-end change their historic measurement values, so
interferometer at WCPC at Swansea a solution needed to be implemented.
the cost benefits to them would be if they University and the AniCAM, it was found the The solution was to export from the Anilox
could know what the condition and volumes measurements on all 12 bands were very QC both values of measurement (this is done
of their anilox inventory. comparable, and Dr Deganello stated that the in the anilox manufacturers special version
The demands of the label groups (Coveris, measurements were certainly well within the of the Anilox QC application), so if an anilox
CCL etc), wide web groups (Bemis, Amcor etc) requirements needed in our industry. manufacturers original measurements are
and corrugated groups (DS Smith, Mondi etc) different to the accurate readings they can
can best be summarized by the requirements Calibration for accurate measurements: export both the accurate value and their
of a world leading carton print group, which Most important for accurate volumetric individual standard values to the anilox roll
are: measurement is calibration: this is required information sheet.
• Accuracy: of ±0.1 cm³/m² for process in all three axis. X & Y axis are relatively So, if the manufacturer’s value was 10
aniloxes simple using an optical graticule, which is percent higher than accurate, a 10.1 volume
• Repeatable measurements of ±0.1 cm³/ small glass surfaces with a grid etched onto roll, measured with a historic measurement
m² when measured on the same place them at 100 μ spacing allowing for very method, would show as 9.3 using the
• Inter-operability: the ability for different accurate calibration in the X & Y directions. accurate measurements.
operators to get the same readings Depth measurement needs to be particularly Provided the anilox manufacturers have the
• Ease of use with data archiving for anilox accurate to give the exact depth, and with correct version of Anilox QC application, they
inventory management the X & Y data the depth is used to calibrate have the ability to export both values.
• No time, or minimal time, lost in the units to give the exact volume of the
production due to measurement times cells. Conclusion
Calibration for depth is achieved by The evolution of anilox manufacturing has
All of these objectives were achieved using scanning a very small sphere (ball bearing) bought many advantages to all users: they
the AniCAM with Anilox QC with inventory of a known size, which logically is the same are now produced to a high standard of
management (Anilox Management System), dimension in all three axis. Spheres have consistency and repeatability which was
however ‘accuracy’ of measurement was been used as a method of calibration by not possible even a decade ago. With the
the biggest obstacle – simply because it some interferometer manufacturers since evolution of the anilox there was a need for
had never been proven. This gave all anilox 1998 and is known to be mathematically accurate and reliable measurement, giving
manufacturers the ability to argue that their accurate. With this system of measurement flexo printers the ability to manage their
own measurements were correct on historical and calibration, the industry had at long anilox inventory to a point where press set-up
grounds, and the other anilox manufacturers last a mathematically proven, accurate time is optimized and make-ready waste is
were wrong – not a very satisfactory measurement standard to work from. reduced to a more practical minimum.
situation for the industry. Consequently, in 2013, Troika Systems This is not the end of the story. There
With the significant differences in developed a method of using a sphere of a are some interesting developments on the
measurement standards used by all the anilox known size as a valid reference standard for horizon with different materials being used
manufacturers in the 2007 research, who was dimensional and volumetric measurement in the production of aniloxes. Also, now
right – if any? and hence the AniCAM Calibration Program volumetric measurements can be accurately
(ACP) was developed so users could calibrate measured, we can progress to analyzing and
Accurate anilox volume measurement their AniCAM, usually annually, or as optimizing ink release characteristics with
The accurate measurement of cells was frequently or infrequently as desired. different cell structures optimized for the
proven in 2007 by Dr Davide Deganello individual print or coating processes. It’s still
(pictured) at Swansea University, Welsh Anilox measurements value conflicts a very exciting time in flexo.
Centre for Printing and Coating (WCPC), Clearly there is a conflict between
under the leadership of Professor Tim the accurate, mathematically proven Phil Hall founded Troika Systems in
Claypole, one of the leading print universities measurement system used by many 1996. Go to www.troika-systems.com
in Europe. Dr Deganello’s thesis and hundreds of printers globally, and the for more information
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88 | Hot stamping, foiling and embossing
Nanotechnology foils open-up

new packaging design vista
Dr Glenn Wood, COO of Fresnels, considers the latest in high impact nanotechnology foils for brand packaging applications
I
n the world of retail packaging, brand crowded shelves and draw in the prospective designs using the foil are difficult to replicate
owners – and by extension the design purchaser. Retail studies reveal that shoppers and can therefore be adopted for use as
houses that work for them – crave struggle to home in on the product they a foil-based brand protection feature. The
innovation. It appears that they’re always will ultimately buy. This this is where the technology can also be used to produce
on the lookout for new ways to make sure foil can play an important role in engaging pairs of highly saturated iridescent colors for
that their products stand-out to consumers consumers and ultimately securing additional added design impact.
and radiate that all important brand appeal sales. These new technologies have to be
– ‘unseen means unsold’, which signifies Technologies such as the circular fresnel seen as more than just another batch of
that the war for shelf space in retail outlets lens have proved enormously successful as consumables. They are a game-changing
remains as hotly contested as ever. an optical device for attracting attention, decorative effect, providing graphic and
It might even be said these people are but they do have their drawbacks: it has only packaging designers with an entirely new tool
messianic about the need for eye-catching been possible to create the lens effect in to enhance branded packaging, especially for
design enhancements and added value relatively thick laminate material, which can high-end goods.
appeal, and constantly apply pressure on be expensive. Because ‘Peacock’ is available in either
converters to show them engaging new transparent or fully metallized versions it
features. At the heart of the developments “Retail studies reveal that offers new opportunities to apply the effect
is nanotechnology, which is having a either under the print (metallic version) or
profound influence on printing and packaging shoppers struggle to home above the print (transparent version). Both
technologies and applications, particularly methods open new graphic vistas for melding
in the progress of advanced new printing in on the product they will fixed color print with angular variability of
materials and stamping foils.
Developments in foils have progressed so
ultimately buy. This this is color in visually stimulating ways.
far that the latest generation from companies where the foil can play an Fresnels is privately funded and led
such as Fresnels can exhibit dramatic color
switching patterns, which in turn, create important role in engaging by technology providers with 100
years of combined expertise in the
stunning new effects suitable for enhancing
the appeal of branded packaging, especially consumers and ultimately commercialization of optical micro-
structures. Go to www.fresnelsinc.
folding cartons, opening up new horizons in
the brand augmentation market and pushing
securing additional sales” com for more information
the boundaries in contemporary design and
thinking. This is leading to innovation in
It could even be possible that these new technologies that can be applied by brand
stamping foils (hot and cold) now emerging owners and converters using standard
will ultimately replace laminates as a way to foil application techniques, and which
add lens effects to labels and folding cartons incorporate new optically attractive features
for decorative impact. that use core competencies in nanoscale
Indeed, at Labelexpo Europe it was engineering for visually exciting effects.
noticeable how many people commented on Among these is the new ‘Peacock’ optically
the foils and the similarity of the effect to variable foil (OVF) nanotechnology.
that produced by color changing inks (OVIs) This robust and secure stamping foil has
and used on many currencies around the been inspired by the iridescence found in
world including the US 100 dollar note. In nature to deliver an arresting palette of
fact, Fresnel’s color switch, especially green colors and contemporary effects, which can
to gold, is easier to see than the security inks be applied using standard foil application
and easier to apply. Either hot stamping foil techniques. Providing a striking visual
or cold foil can be used to apply the foil to effect similar to optically variable inks
paperboard or plastic, thereby enhancing (OVI), ‘Peacock’ foils can be applied quickly
product shelf appeal. and easily without the requirement for
registration equipment, saving time and costs
Impactful packaging in the process.
The positive effect of these nanotechnology The nanotechnology, which is easier to
foils will be seen on the shelves from a see and apply than traditional security
distance of a few feet. This is the raison d’etre inks, reflects the naturally occurring color
for eye-catching, impactful packaging: to variations seen in a peacock’s tail feathers.
distinguish the product from its neighbors on The color change features captured in the
Fresnels’ ‘Peacock’ optically
labelsandlabeling.com variable foil (OVF) nanotechnology
Hot stamping, foiling and embossing | 89
Creating a stunning visual identity

Foils, laminates, and holographics can all work as part of the design to provide labels with the wow-factor that gives them an edge, writes
Richard Burhouse, commercial director at API
I
n the fast-moving world of luxury consumer “Foils, laminates, and holographics they can produce. This is just one
goods, it is essential that label companies and example of how – across our
brands continually develop their products to can all work as part of the design to wide range of foils, laminates, and
stay ahead of the game – and the same applies to provide labels with the wow-factor holographic solutions – we are
their packaging suppliers, such as API. constantly striving to develop our
Foils, laminates, and holographics can all work
that gives them an edge” products and ensure we provide
as part of the design to provide labels with the customers with maximum value
wow-factor that gives them an edge. These this is through our annual API Trends Folio, which through their chosen labels and
products by their nature beguile us – and when outlines the latest styles in a convenient reference packaging.
their impact is linked to an understanding of the book, and enables us to provide brands with
specific brand’s values, the effect can be extremely the latest trend information that will give their
powerful. products an edge on the retail shelf.
Our recent work with SnowFox vodka is an Newly updated for 2018/19, the API Trends Folio For more information, go
to https://apigroup.com
example of this. Tasked with creating a stunning explores four key trends in detail: from Neon Storm,
visual identity for the award-winning vodka drink, which takes inspiration from natural phenomena
we provided it with our 1000 TA foil, which was such as sunbursts and comet flashes, to Diamond
used to depict the piercing gaze of the iconic Luxe, whose dark lusters and glitters create a sense
Canadian snow fox on its bottle’s shrink label. The of night-time gothic that powerfully conveys
foil produced a striking glow-in-the-dark effect, high-end luxury.
causing the electric-blue eyes of the snow fox to Ultimately, of course, the foiling must provide
illuminate in low-lit areas such as nightclubs, thus real, measurable value to the brand. There is one
drawing the attention of consumers. obvious way it does this: by attracting more
SnowFox and the label applicator wanted to customers and therefore driving more sales. But
create an effect that wasn’t already available on there are also other ways that foils, laminates,
the shelf, and the result more than achieves this. and holographic effects can deliver extra value to
The foil on the label was flawlessly matched to the customers, and one of these is highlighted by our
ice-cool essence of the SnowFox brand, and in this work with Olympus Print Group.
way, a powerfully unique effect was produced that Besides simply acting as a visual enhancement
contributed to the drink’s success. to substrates on the Olympus digital converting
line, our TA cold foil also enabled an increase in
Meeting the latest trends output by over 50 percent, with application speeds
Another vital element in delivering maximum rocketing from the 8-10 meters per minute of its
impact for luxury labels is a strong awareness of predecessor to a phenomenal 25-30 meters per
the latest industry trends. One way we cultivate minute. Not only has it helped drive efficiencies, it
has also significantly improved the quality of the
final product.
Service and technical support were also central
to this development and this is another key
element that the best foil providers can deliver for
label companies – and is often as important as the
need to create dazzling visual effects for brands.
In the ever-changing world of labels, it is key for
every foil supplier to focus on three things: working
closely with brands to better convey their unique
essence, keeping on top of the upcoming industry
trends and how these can enhance brands, and
ensuring they provide real value not just in terms of
visual appeal, but also efficiency and ease-of-use.
On top of this, new product innovation is also
essential. Launched at Labelexpo Europe 2017, the
new generation of our TA cold foil range, TA-Plus,
offers pack designers and printers exceptionally fine
detail and the capability to cover large solid areas,
as well as outstanding over-printability, meaning
there is no limit to the range of colors and effects
Close-up of CoCo LoCo bottles from SnowFox vodka
Lee Stafford, featuring foils from API January 2018
RHINO™ SWIFT™
NEW: Registered Fastest in-line patch
embossed holographic patches registration system
efficient high quality refining
RHINO™ and SWIFT™ by Pantec GS Systems make embossing and hot foiling more economical and even
more attractive. Latest enhancements on the in-line flatbed embossing system RHINO™ raise foil decora-
tion to a new level of profitability. The newly designed foil head with two foil steps and register sensors for
holograms allows a higher degree of foil saving and new premium applications, all at a throughput of up to
120m/min. SWIFT™, the rotary foil & hologram system, cuts foil consumption by up to 95%. Furthermore –
with three foil streams only – SWIFT™ can register over 200’000 Lenses or Hologram patches per hour and
refines labels with prestigious effects and security features. Learn more at www.pantec-gs.com Print Decoration
Regulars / Label Trends | 91
Label Trends
Flexible packaging is a thriving and growing market in North America. Data compiled by Tarsus Research division, LPC and Global
Market Insights
NORTH AMERICAN FLEXIBLE

PACKAGING MARKET
$23.5BN
7%
88%
$ $ $
Size of the market by the end of 2018 (USD)
5%
North America makes up

50%
23%
of the global flexible
packaging market. Of
the North American
market, 25 converters Food and beverage is the most prominent end-use
account for half of sector, accounting for more than 50 percent of
North American demand the total volume of flexible packaging
20% or one in five label converters – have moved into flexible packaging, non-sleeves, in the past three years
January 2018
90 | Buyers Guide
Buyers Guide
Adhesive testers Adhesives & coating Hotfoil / Hologram
Systems
Tau 330 RSC

Boosts your Business!
Anilox rollers
Suppliers of the highest quality

Anilox rollers and sleeves for
high resolution flexo printing.
· Ceramic Anilox rollers and sleeves
· Anilox cleaning solutions
· Anilox cleaning systems
· Anilox Audits
· Technical advice and support
Industrial inkjet
www.durst-group.com
Foil stamping &

Flexible dies & embossing dies
TauRSC-40x100.indd 1 10.10.17 16:18
printing cylinders
Tel.+44 161 344 5558
sales@cheshireanilox.co.uk
www.cheshireanilox.co.uk We solve your die
cutting problems
Corona treatment – just in time!
Sale , Design and Service for

Corona- Plasma -Generators and Industry-
Electronic in Surface Treatment
Ink dispensing
ELECTRO OPTIC WERKZEUGTECHNIK GMBH
SOHNREY INDUSTRIETECHNIK Einsteinstraße 7 / Interpark
Do your ink room

D 75173 Pforzheim - Schwarzwaldstr. 5 D-85098 Großmehring
Tel: +49-8456/75950-0, Fax: 75950-10
www.electro-optic.de
Tel.: + 49 / 7231 / 298806
Fax: + 49 / 7231 / 298807
info@electro-optic.de
a favour.
info@sohnrey-it.de - www.sohnrey-it.de
W W W.GSEDISPENSING.COM
Inking systems
#1 in Corona & Plasma
Surface Treatment Technology
ad-gse-40x30mm-rev.indd 1 21-01-2008 12:38:15
Holographic equipment
sales@vetaphone.com
www.vetaphone.com
Tel: +45 76 300 333
labels&labeling.com
o
Buyers Guide | 91
Ink testing equipment Label films & paper Label printing presses
The first name in ARCONVERT S.A. / MANTER

Girona - SPAIN
ink testing equipment manter@manter.es
www.manter.es
For further information contact:
RK PrintCoat Instruments Ltd ARCONVERT LDA.
Tele: +44 (0)1763 852187
MSM
Jundaí (SP) - BRAZIL
Fax: +44 (0)1763 852502 arconvert@
sales@rkprint.com www.rkprint.com www.arconvert.com.br
Ink testing equipment ARCONVERT SPA.

Arco (TN) - ITALY
info@arconvert.com
www.arconvert.it
Arconvert is a company of FEDRIGONI SpA. Intelligent

Tel.+44 (0) 1439 770771
E-mail. info@msm-paper.co.uk Solutions
For a labels&labeling PUMA – the Digital Label-
media pack please go to printing-Machine from
Graficon with the cost-efficient
www.labelsandlabeling. inline-production.
com/mediapack or call Gallus – completely rebuilt
our dedicated sales team labelprinting machine with
on 0208 846 2725 guarantee. Service and spare
parts for Gallus presses.
Booklet-Machines for high
productivity und precision.
Graficon Maschinenbau AG
CH-9301 Wittenbach/SG • Schweiz
info@graficon.ch • www.graficon.ch
Excellence in Label inspection

die cutting! equipment Anzeige-40x78mm.indd 1 03.02.15 18:12
KPG (Europe) Limited

13 Holkham Road Orton Southgate
Peterborough PE2 6TE
Tel: +44 1733 235533
Label printing & Fax: +44 1733 235117
ELECTRO OPTIC WERKZEUGTECHNIK GMBH
Einsteinstraße 7 / Interpark
diecutting machines www.kpgeurope.com
D-85098 Großmehring
Tel: +49-8456/75950-0, Fax: 75950-10
www.electro-optic.de
info@electro-optic.de
Zhejiang Weigang Machinery Co., Ltd.

Songqiao Industrial Estate,
Pingyang Town, Zhejiang, China
t: 0086-577-63170123
f: 0086-577-63177788
e-mail: donghai@weigang.cc
web: www.weigangmachinery.com
Narrow label printing machines and
converting machines Manufacturer
in China
Label converting
and finishing equipment
Tel:+86 577 66811166 Export@rhyguan.com
January 2018
92 | Buyers Guide
Narrow web printing & Presses: flexible RFID labels/processing

converting equipment packaging & labels systems
KPG (Europe) Limited

13 Holkham Road Orton Southgate Turnkey Production Equipment
Peterborough PE2 6TE RFID SMART LABEL & TICKET
Tel: +44 1733 235533 SMART CARD
Fax: +44 1733 235117 ePASSPORT
www.kpgeurope.com
DIGITAL INKJET PRESS
Pressure sensitive
materials
MÜHLBAUER GROUP
Josef-Mühlbauer-Platz 1 +49 9461 952 0
Plate
FOCUS SEP making &
05 SMALL 5/9/05 4:11 pm Page 1 93426 Roding
Germany
info-srp@muehlbauer.de
www.muehlbauer.de
plate mounting
Production Equipment for …
YOUR LEADING PSA … the World of
IN-LINE FLEXO PRESSES LABEL SOLUTIONS PROVIDER Smart Products
W: www.yenom.com.sg
E: sales@yenom.com.sg Smart Tags
Singapore/International: +65-6744 0711 Smart Labels
COMPACT Melbourne: +61-3-9706 0222
Sydney: +61-2-9533 9633 Smart Tickets
CENTRAL IMPRESSION Malaysia: +60-3-6277 5525
FLEXO PRINTING PRESSES Thailand: +66-2738 9974/75/76
New Zealand: +64-21 289 3666
PHOTOPOLYMER MADE IN SINGAPORE

RT250 & RT330 SLITTER
PLATEMAKING SYSTEMS
REWINDERS Release liners
VIDEO WEB INSPECTION PHOTOPOLYMER
SYSTEMS PLATE MATERIALS
Smart Tickets
High Speed: up to 30,000 tested Tickets/h
VIDEO PLATEMOUNTING
HIGH SPEED ROTARY SYSTEMS
FABRIC PRINTING PRESSES
FABRIC LABEL CUTTING & Rotary die cutting

FOLDING EQUIPMENT sales@melzergmbh.com +49 (0) 23 36/92 92-80
Kendryl Park, Chapel Lane,
Bingham, Nottingham, NG13 8GF,
equipment
www.focuslabel.com United Kingdom
Tel: +44(0)1949 836223
Fax: +44(0)1949 836542 ME-01-2301 Anz_DB_57x105_4c.indd 1 01.02.12 16:26
Overlaminating films email: admin@focuslabel.com

SILICONATURE SPA
www.focuslabel.com Godega S.U. - Italy
SILICONATURE USA, LLC
For a labels&labeling Chicago - USA
media pack please go to SILICONATURE SUBSTRATE JIANGXI Co LTD
Rotary punching
www.labelsandlabeling. Jiangxi province – R.P. China Units & Tools
com/mediapack or call
www.siliconature.com
our dedicated sales team
on 0208 846 2725 Release liners tester
labels&labeling.com
Buyers Guide | 93
To advertise in the
buyers guide call our
dedicated sales team on
THE FINISHING COMPANY
+44 (0) 208 846 2725
Slitter rewinders
Atlas_Titan class ad Jul 11_Layout 1 28/07/2011 10:17 Page 1
your evolution and revolution in finishing

PRATI srl
Via Deruta 2 - 48018 Faenza (Ra) - Italy
Tel +39 0546 46889 - Fax +39 0546 46638
info@praticompany.com - www.praticompany.com
World Leaders in Slitter
Rewinders for Labelstock Slitter Systems
• machines up to 2m wide
• automation sytems INNOVATION.
• diff. rewind shafts

SLITTING TECH
AND VALVES.
• rapid change-overs PRECISION.
• ease of operation
Atlas Converting Equipment Ltd. l CIRCULAR KNIVES
Bedford MK42 7XT, UK
Tel: +44 1234 852553 l STRAIGHT KNIVES
Fax: +44 1234 851151 l KNIVE HOLDERS
sales.atlas@atlasconverting.com
sales.titan@atlasconverting.com l SLITTING SYSTEMS
www.atlasconverting.com
l SERVICE
l VALVES
CONTACT: PHONE +49 2206 605 -0

SALES@DIENES.DE . WWW.DIENES.DE
Thermal printer
& ribbons
RIBBON
CONVERTING
OUR
SPECIALITY
TTR L�n�
+34 932 615 300
info@arque.com
www.arque.com
To advertise in the
buyers guide call our
dedicated sales team on
+44 (0) 208 846 2725
January 2018
94 | Buyers Guide
Turret rewinders Water soluble

label material
IST METZ GmbH Water soluble labels?
Lauterstrasse 14-18 Only from the experts.
72622 Nuertingen, Germany
Tel. +49 7022 6002-0
info@ist-uv.com, www.ist-uv.com Development . Production .GmbH
Sales
Neustadter Str. 9, Krunkel (Germany)

Phone: +49 2687 926767-0
info@neptunlabel.com
uv-technik Waste handling www.neptunlabel.com
meyer gmbh
competence in uv uv-lamps
Lundberg Web Guides &
tech
power supplies
reflector units
Tension Control
MATRIX WASTE
components
uv-measurement
REMOVAL
UV curing equipment
• Capturing
UV
• Cutting
competence • Collecting
in uv-technik international ltd.
Office +44 (0) 1582 522 345
• Compacting
info@uv-technik.co.uk
www.uv-technik.co.uk
+45 44 98 35 85
UV equipment, UV lamps, UV meters
info@lundbergtech.com
uv-technik meyer gmbh wwww.lundbergtech.com
Glauburgstrasse 34
D-63683 Ortenberg
Phone +49 (0) 6041 962 80
www.hoenlegroup.com welcome@uv-technik.com
www.uv-technik.com
Low Migration
UV Printing ink for
Food Packaging
• UV-Flexo
• UV-Offset
• waterless UV-Offset
• Electro Beam
Zeller+Gmelin GmbH & Co. KG

Germany
www.zeller-gmelin.de
Zeller+Gmelin UK Ltd.
Great Britain
www.zeller-gmelin.co.uk
UV Printing Ink and Lacquer
P r i n t i n g I n k s
labels&labeling.com
Buyers Guide | 95
LED-UV:
LED-UV:
the fastest, most eco-friendly
the
wayfastest,
to cure most eco-friendly
flexible packaging
way to cure flexible packaging
LEARN ABOUT LED-UV CURING AT LABELEXPO BRUSSELS 2017 | HALL 6 - STAND 6E52
FULL SPEED AHEAD

LEARN ABOUT LED-UV CURING AT LABELEXPO BRUSSELS 2017 | HALL 6 - STAND 6E52
FULL SPEED AHEAD

Contact us: info@amsspectraluv.com | US: +1 715 425 5600 | UK: +44 (0) 175 355 8000
Contact us: info@amsspectraluv.com | US: +1 715 425 5600 | UK: +44 (0) 175 355 8000
Ad index
AB Graphic ......................................................... 48 Gulf Print & Pack Summit .................................... 85 Orthotec ............................................................. 68
Acpo .................................................................. 61 Hamillroad ............................................................ 5 Pantec ............................................................... 88
Affinia ................................................................ 16 Harper................................................................ 58 PGI..................................................................... 88
AMS................................................................... 95 Herma ................................................................ 36 Presstek ............................................................. 54
Anderson Europe ................................................ 66 Holfeld Tool & Die ................................................ 83 ReSpa ................................................................ 58
Arjobex............................................................... 39 HP Indigo............................................................ 29 RK Printcoat ....................................................... 78
Atlas Die............................................................. 78 Hyden ................................................................ 77 Rotocontrol ......................................................... 43
Avery Dennison ...................................................IFC Inkjet Solutions ................................................... 78 Rotometrics .......................................................... 1
Berhalter ............................................................ 74 Kocher + Beck Gmbh + Co. ................................ 40 SMI Coated Products........................................... 83
BST Eletromat..................................................... 50 Kurz ..................................................................... 7 Sohn .................................................................. 38
Cartes .................................................................. 3 Label Academy ................................................... 26 Spartanics .......................................................... 51
Chesire Anilox Technology.................................... 64 Label Summit Latin America ................................ 80 SPG Prints ............................................................ 4
Codimag............................................................. 46 Labelmen .......................................................... IBC TLMI .................................................................. 80
Domino ................................................................ 2 Labeltraxx........................................................... 32 Troika ................................................................. 78
Durico ................................................................ 77 Lartec ................................................................ 44 Universal Engraving Inc........................................ 10
Electro Optic ....................................................... 62 Lintec ................................................................. 15 UPM Raflatac ...................................................... BC
Enprom .............................................................. 56 Lombardi ............................................................ 72 Venture Electronics ............................................. 47
Erhardt+Leimer .................................................. 57 Martin Automatic ................................................ 62 Wacker............................................................... 20
Focus Label Machinery........................................ 54 Meech................................................................ 33 Wausau Coated Products .................................... 58
Garware ............................................................. 70 Newfoil Machines................................................ 65 Xeikon ................................................................ 53
GEW .................................................................. 19 Nilpeter .............................................................. 24 Zeller + Gmelin................................................... 94
January 2018
98 | Regulars / Label Society
Label
SOCIETY
02 03 01
Labelexpo Asia 2017

Shanghai, China
01 L-R: Xu Jinfeng of PEIAC, and Professor Tan Junqiao, winner
of the R. Stanton Avery Lifetime Achievement Award
02 L-R: James Samuel, Lisa Milburn and Andy Thomas of Labelexpo;
Yates Yao of Luster; Jules Lejeune of Finat
03 L-R: Li Bo and Liu Runxi, Pulisi; Amit Sheth, Intergraphic
Sales & Services
04 L-R: Fu Qiang, industry consultant; Hikita Takuya, Fuji Xerox;
Helmuth Munter and Martin Leitner, Durst
05 Wang Fengna, PEIAC; Andy Thomas; Professor Tan Junqiao;
04 Ramon Lee, Brotech;Yates Yao, Luster
06 L-R: Ramon Lee, Brotech, Professor Tan Junqiao,
and Wang Fengna, PEIAC 05
07 L-R: Colin Wu, DuPont Electrics &

Communications; Siming Luo, DuPont
Advanced Printing; Paul Fang, Shanghai
H.Y. Printing & Packaging Technology;
Bengwang Liu, Xuefei Shi,Wenjie Zhu
and Liang Liu of Yantai Hengli
08 L-R: James Samuel of Labelexpo
and Wang Li Jian of PEIAC
09 L-R: Charlie Zimmer, Dow Corning;
Yolanda Wang, Labels & Labeling; Frank
Huo, Dow Corning
10 L-R: Bao Wei and Bjorn Willems, Esko;
Bengwang Liu and Xuefei Shi,Yantai Hengli
Read L&L issue 1 for a full review of

06 07
the show and follow us @labelsandlabeling
08 09 10
Inspired by nature
The new Wine, Spirits and Craft beverages sample book is out now!
www.upmraflatac.com
Super
MCR
Mag
You cut, we care. D

Very
die-
as a
ww
www.wink.de
Maximum Precision
We know that optimum die-cutting results are crucial for your success as a
label manufacturer. More and more, very thin liners and demanding facestocks
represent a real challenge in this context. With market-leading technology
and full commitment of our experts, we customize every SuperCut flexible die
perfectly to your needs - for trouble-free die-cutting of any application.
You cut, we care.
You cut, we care.

SuperCut flexible dies Laser hardening
MCR MicroChrome Steel rule dies SmartGap cylinders
Magnetic cylinders PowerCut® rotary dies Sheeter cylinders Printing cylinders
Die-cutting solutions
Very demanding customer needs, new materials, time constraints - all of these factors make
die-cutting a real challenge. It is therefore all the more reassuring to have Wink at your side
as a competent and reliable partner.
www.wink.de
Wink Stanzwerkzeuge | Neuenhaus, Germany

Wink US LLC | Charlotte (NC), USA
Wink Danmark A/S | Kastrup, Denmark
You cut, we care. Wink South Europe S.r.l. | Gallarate (VA), Italy
DIR
EC
LY
T
InT
o pR I o n
oDuC T
Letak_2016_190x270mm_TISK.indd 1 14.1.16 17:07

DIR
EC
LY
T
InT
o pR I o n
oDuC T
Letak_2016_190x270mm_TISK.indd 2 14.1.16 17:07

Page title | 107
STANDARD LASER NTP DLC
The standard quality meets the Suitable for very large print Standard or laser hardened Standard or laser hardened
most stringent demands for quantities. For standard and ﬂexible die with a very hard ﬂexible die with a very hard and
use on all types of self-adhesive all special materials. Is generally coating nTp, ideal for the non-stick coating DLC, ideal
materials: paper, pp, pE, pVC, recommended for cutting abrasive thermal (thermal for the separation of inks and
pET, Tyvek etc. through and maximal lifetime. transfer) papers and cardboard. adhesives, combined
A thick layer of nTp enables with a very long life.
extremely high running
Finishing options are Finishing options performances with outstanding
nTp and DLC. are nTp and DLC. wear properties.
Hardness of cutting edges: Hardness of cutting edges: Hardness of cutting edges: Hardness of cutting edges:
48-50 HRC 65-68 HRC 60-63 HRC over 100 HRC
FLEXIBLE DIES
Are manufactured using CNC technology which guarantees minimum tolerances and maximum quality flexible dies.
Used for all types of materials including all materials with a thin backing (liner) PET or PP. We produce cutting edges
heights up to 1mm and cutting angles from 50° to 110°. All special applications booklet labels, sandwich materials,
micro-perforation etc. are possible. Option of all-round cutting lines or cutting contours. Fast dispatch within 8 to 24 hours.
MAGNETIC CYLINDER PRINTING CYLINDER SHEETER CYLINDER AIRJET CYLINDER GEAR
ESON CZ s.r.o.
Karlická 457 | 252 29 Lety | Czech Republic
Tel.: +420 257 830 039 | E-mail: eson@eson.cz | www.eson.cz
Letak_2016_190x270mm_TISK.indd 3 14.1.16
January 201817:08

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MARKET FOCUS:

VOLUME 39 | ISSUE # 6 | DEC – JAN 2018 LABELSANDLABELING.COM

Jordy, Hans, Jaime, Angel

S477 adhesive was developed, within the Select Solutions Lubricants

and Oil Can Portfolio, by a highly committed team who worked on an

Learn more from our team at averydennison.com/advantage

© 2017 Avery Dennison Corporation. All rights reserved. 11/2017

Whether reel-to-reel, with near or in-line finishing, or as a full hybrid,

Hot stamping - Embossing - Silk screen printing - Flexo varnishing

Full and Semi-rotary flexo varnishing - Semi-rotary die-cutting - Laser converting

New Computer to Plate (CTP)

technology for optimal flexibility.

Application flexo, dry offset, letter press, screens

variLEX UK 203x273 ad.indd 1 22-09-17 08:31

– Meet the team

T: +44 (0)20 8846 2841

Print + Finish: Cold foil + 1c flexo

inspire create decorate

Regulars Trends Features

Industrial labeling innovation

Coveris introduces Recoveris (video)

63 Manjushree diversifies 45 HP Indigo introduces one-pass

67 Fujifilm Sericol sees growth 49 Heidelberg boosts IML

The UEI Group companies are the

UniSphere® Hot Stamp UniSphere® Emboss/Deboss

We’re excited to announce our newest product line, the

Brass Flatbed Dies CopperFlex® UniSphere® Makeready Hot & Cold

Thirty years ago (L&L issue 6, 1987)

Twitter Can do: the return of growth

Rolf Beck was a pioneer in the

Montserrat Peidro-Insa, head of the digital business area at Heidelberg, presented

Web offset press reconfigured for flexible packaging

The Label Academy has extended its series

Label Academy publishes new textbooks

Print Color Labels for Any Application:

For an extra FREE set of inks

labelsandlabeling.com January 2018

• Highest power, lowest energy

TWO UV Curing Technologies

For further information please contact us on: sales@gewuv.com

LET’S MAKE THE

Discover more about DEHESIVE® release systems on our website www.wacker.com/dehesive

Wacker Chemie AG, www.wacker.com www.wacker.com/socialmedia

Label & Packaging Showcase

DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation

ASL PrintFX Company This regular feature is dedicated to the

“Despite the slow Customizing

industry, it accounts Jetsci industrial inkjet printing

Bob Cronin is managing partner of The Open Approach, an M&A consultancy

Shi Jianping is general secretary of the Flexo Printing Branch

Annual meeting of PTAC’s Flexo Branch

CyClean™ Non-Contact Web Cleaning

...for paper, plastic, foil and film

 CyClean™ offers compact, high

 Utilises a combination of turbulent air

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 Integrated shockless AC static control

 Removes and extracts contamination to

sales@meech.com +44(0)1993 706 700 www.meech.com

Labels and Labeling - Hyperion Static Control.indd 1 25/08/2017 11:14:42

CyClean™ offers compact, high

Utilises a combination of turbulent air

Designed for a wide variety of web

Integrated shockless AC static control

Removes and extracts contamination to